Erosion of civil liberties?

Question

The erosion of civil liberties under the guise of protecting us from terrorism is very alarming!. Under the current administration we have no warrant wiretaps, US citzens being held without trial under military control, the government accessing the phone records of customers by the millions, tracking internet searches at public libraries etc.why is the populus so complacient at this constant erosion of their rights? do they not realize that once you start down the slippery slope of giving up your rightd one day you will wake up and the choice will no longer be yours? Do people just not realize what they are losing? to protect the country is certanly of importance but do you want to do it at the cost of turning it into a police state? putting all the federal law enforcment under Dept. of Homeland security to obstencibly aid in communication was a worthwhile goal but it is also very dangerious to have all that authority under the auspices of one agency, do you agree or disagree?

Answer 1

Disagree

If what you are saying is true, then what you just wrote would have put you in jail.

As there are not Gestapo currently pounding on your door, I think you're probably exaggerating just a bit.

Answer 2

People will call this alarmism, extremism and so on.  The fact is that you are exactly right to a frightening degree.  What people aren't looking at is the way our country has changed in just the past 20 years.  We've lost freedoms in every aspect of our daily lives.  Why do people jam on their brakes when they see a cop, even when they aren't speeding?  Because we have a serious fear of our gov't.  They said it on national TV in a press conference.  "we will have to give up some of our freedoms for sake of security".  NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!  I'd rather take the risk and be free.  WHY are none of the politicians saying that??  Our gov't has even in the past 20 years begun forcing upon us certain private industries, especially insurance and drug making companies.  People are so lethargic to it that they just ignore it completely as though it has no effect on their lives.  I once got pulled over for a traffic violation.  The cop said to me that you can hardly drive 100 feet without breaking some sort of law!  Straight from the mouth of a cop!!  And this doesn't isn't cause for pause??  And And we continue to let the press and politicians take our focus from the real issues and placate us like a bunch of people on ADD meds.  It's insane and yes very frightening because people just continue to act as EOR the donkey and say "oh well, guess we gotta live with it.  Don't make it harder than it has to be".  Yeah, we need to be scared.

Answer 3

100%    but I do not see it as erosion I see it as people giving the government permission to do so.

Answer 4

People will keep making excuses as to why its ok or say it could be worse or that you are making it out to be worse that it is.

The problem is that all it takes is for most people to told they just need to give up a little tiny sliver of liberty and it will keep them safer and most will be like sure no problem. 1000 little slices later and they will have none left.

Its a horrible state of affair but until most people have it smack them in the face they will not think of it as a problem or an inconvience.

Answer 5

I disagree with your alarmism.

The president has the authority to conduct surveillance of foreign nationals during wartime without having to get approval from the judiciary.

The only US citizens held without trial are those accused of actively supporting our enemies. This is NOT done in a vaccuum, either. There are reviews with both the judiciary and the Congress to apprise them of what is happening, and what the case is. The problem in wartime is that a normal public trial cannot occur, as the evidentiary demands might reveal national security programs and people.

These minor events have necessarily occurred in war, and do not threaten our civil liberties overall.

My rights and freedoms are more threatened by the mandatory "entitlement" programs, which take my property (my $$) without just compensation, except a promise of a possible later benefit, which I don't want, if I'm still alive.

The fear that there's been any creation of a police state is more paranoia than rational thought.

Answer 6

Hi,

    Blame it all on our so called democracy.

    

     Rgds................

Answer 7

Totally agree!

The government can't reliably run the programs they are already in charge of. If you've ever called Medicare to try and talk to someone about a denied claim, or asked the post office where the package that you mailed went, or tried to win  in a dispute with the feds, then you know I am right. You lose every time.

Imagine if they were allowed to do what they are trying to?

Did you know that when a bank asks for your fingerprint to allow you to cash a check drawn on that bank, but you don't hold an account with--they are in fact asking you to give up your right to Privacy>

No one is required to give fingerprints unless they are being arrested.

But (and I know 'cause I called Washington DC's FDIC) if you voluntarily give up your RIGHT TO PRIVACY than the banks have broken no laws.

The FDIC told me  a Class Action Suit would have to be filed and won to make it ILLEGAL for banks to require your fingerprint to cash a check you don't have an account with.

So...people..wake up and smell the coffee.

Stop giving in without any fight.

Presidential candidates who want MORE BIG Government are THE worst thing for this country.

Or pretty soon, you won't be able to leave your house without a travel permit.!!!

Answer 8

how many of these "illegal" activities have been against people not trying to blow up something in the USA. min to zilch i guess. fo all the things the USA should't do, list what we can. i ahve yet to loose one liberty and if i do, i am sure i would be in court. and if you are refering to paddillia, he took up arms against the USA. he has no, or shouldn't have any  civilian rights. are you one of those who thinks it is ok for my 14 year old to get online at the library to see p**n. how about solutions and not complaints. because until a better way comes up, we have to work with what we have. will you be one of the people who asks" why didn't they stop those terrorist from taking that elementary school kids hostage". ref to beslan(sp) russia. several hundred killed.mostly kids. how much burden will the US gov. bear when they can,t even do the most simple things to stop terror.

Answer 9

The only word most brainwashed christians care about is "abortion," so private matters are to be controlled by government and multinational corporations can have their way with public matters.

Answer 10

Because they have Ipods, Flat Screens, Blue Rays, and are as deep as a thimble