by Kimberly Holloway

Created on: April 30, 2008

Do the NSA and CIA threaten civil liberties in the US? I must admit that I can see both sides of this debate, but I am quite appalled at the idea that government can impose on my constitutional right to privacy by the NSA by reading email and tapping phones. I believe that this poses the very disturbing idea of the slippery slope. What right will the government impose upon us next? Where does it stop? And, where are the laws that protect our rights from being infringed upon? This is definitely an issue that will be challenged by the people all the way to the Supreme Court if it is necessary. I have to ask how the government can believe it is okay to open the mail/ email/ or wiretap the phones of its citizens when it is a federal offense for someone to tamper with mail. How can our leaders infringe upon the right of its citizens and then have a double standard when citizens follow their lead? As we tell parents, you must lead by example. So why it is that our own government cannot seem to follow that same simple rule? It is very important that our system of checks and balances is maintained for the sake of our democracy. Every American is entitled to protection by the law just as the President or other governmental leaders are not above the law. I understand that the current terrorist attacks were a concern and that is a primary reason why the NSA chose to enforce wiretapping; however, despite concerns I believe there are better ways in which they could have handled the issue rather than infringing upon the rights of innocent citizens. I do understand that some precautions are necessary but there must be very strong limitations so that they government cannot fall into a slippery slope of continually violating citizens rights because they feel it benefits a greater cause. Yes, there must be precautions taken to protect the United States against acts of terrorism, but there must be ways of doing this without overriding the important checks and balances that are in place for a reason. Government must realize that rights cannot be infringed upon at will and they must protect its citizens by protecting their constitutional rights!

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