As the resident conspiracy theorist, I am compelled to question many of the actions going on and rights being taken to ensure the safety of America "Those who give up freedom for security, achieve neither" - Benjamin Franklin Individual rights over the last 50 years in the United States have begun to crumble under the blanket of security. What makes this country great, and what Anti-American's don't understand is that here you can (could?) speak against anyone and it is your right. You won't (wouldn't?) have secret police show up and take you away one night. If we lose our principles and the foundations that this country was built on what do we have?? We have to prove that freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and the constitution transcend time by focusing on inalienable rights and economic principles. Has any government in the history of time taken away rights, simply to give them back?? Not to my recollection, we do not allow for the graciousness of our leaders, we are a country of laws irregardless to whom is representing us. They are not our rulers, or our leaders....but our representatives
Phone Taps? Legal Search and Seizure? Probably Cause? Military Trials? Non Citizens losing rights? Under a machine of Propaganda? Where will it end? When wil we get those rights back?
<b>Has any government in the history of time taken away rights, simply to give them back?? </b> Yes, America - see prohibition.
That is True Bobrek, but prohibition and the illegal trade of alcohol and drugs, are why the government can have such knowledge over personal finances based on income tax differences with drug and alcohol dealers. This also allowed search and seizure without a warrant, something which was illegal before. I've been to third world countries, and I admit I'm quite paranoid about the loss of rights leading to a loss in the power of the people.
What rights did we have 50 years ago that we don't have now? And yes our government has taken away rights during war and given them back.
Well Timing Let me see, 50 years ago: If you were pulled over, the police could not check your car You didn't have to register your name if you owned a gun You could take as much cash out of the bank and the country that you want (over 10,000 taken out and IRS puts a tab on you) City local curfew's for kids was unheard of Now all of these are not seen as a big deal because of the slow transition into our society, i just want america to be a pure democracy and leave the power in the hands of the people
#1 50 yrs ago police may not have legally been allowed to check your car without probable cause but I'd be willing to bet that they did so anyway. 50 yrs ago most people didn't question the police's motives. And I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that the police cannot search your car without probable cause or permission. #2 Doesn't the gun law address hand guns and assault rifles? This may have changed in the past couple of years but I bought a shotgun 3yrs ago and didn't have to register it. But I wouldn't be opposed to registering it anyway because I will only use it for hunting or home defense. #3 I don't really have an opinion on this one as I RARELY take out 10 grand #4 50 yrs ago there wasn't as much broken homes and most parents supervised their children more than today's parents. I also wouldn't be suprised if there actually were curfews in some towns. I agree with the dream of America being a "true democracy" but sometimes you gotta compromise. I can't buy into the 'conspiracy theory' some of you guys try to push. It's all propaganda to me. Where are the facts? And why does our government have to be evil? I know there has been factions within the government that has abused it's power. But overall I'd say that our government tries to do the right thing even if sometimes it turns out to be wrong. I'm tired of seeing all this conspiracy jibber jabber. Someone show me some facts of who & why and I might be enclined to entertain this conspiracy theory. Until then I'll continue to dismiss these fantasies as being paranoid.
The 4th amendment protects against unreasonable search and seizure. The only way cops can ever search your car is either with your consent, probable cause, or a warrant. I think that's enforced a heck of a lot more today than it was 50 years ago. The other things that you mentioned aren't rights. Rights are things protected by law. The right to vote, the right of free speech, assembly, press, etc. The things you're speaking of are small freedoms that aren't protected by anything. There are millions of freedoms that we enjoy that aren't legally protected rights. There's a clear difference there. If we had a completely free society it would be utter chaos because public safety requires some controls on personal freedom. We can't all be out driving 120 down the wrong lane of the freeway with a bottle of tequila in our hand.
There are a number of legal decisions that have widened the definition of probable cause. In addition, very few who do have police overstep boundries come forward to complain. I read quite a bit about this about 10 years ago when I got stopped on 4 separate occassions within 2 weeks because I had long hair. One officer told me that the way I looked constituted probable cause. Of course, no one found anything and I cooperated completely, but it didn't stop me from looking into it and finding that, in the name of protecting citizens from crime, we have seen the laws regarding probable cause and search and seizure widened considerably.
I'd be pissed if I got stopped just because I had long hair. 10 yrs ago I did have long hair. Fortunately, I never got stopped because of the hair. I was actually speeding. But if an officer told me the reason I was pulled over was because I had long hair I would have been livid. That's a pretty good example of abuse of power. It's also a form of profiling which if I'm not mistaken is against most local police policies nowadays. I guess this brings the question, what legally constitutes probable cause? I always assumed that in order for the police to be able to search your car you have to: 1. Be arrested 2. Be suspected of being on drugs or under the influence of alcohol. 3. Be suspected of being a part of a previously comitted crime (ie: car matches description) There's probably more but I can't think of any at the moment. Police abuse their power everyday. So do people in our government. It's a shame that a few bad apples can tarnish an image.
