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The Patriot Act is a direct assault on American freedoms and values that once made this country great, but today such greatness has eluded this nation. Also, there are similarities between the Enabling Act of 1933 Germany and the Patriot Act of 2001 America. Such similarities provide key background information for us to consider, if we are to learn anything from history.

Most of us have not heard of the "Ermchtigungsgesetz", or the "Enabling Act" that President von Hindenburg passed at the beginning of the Third Reich of 1933 Germany.

The "Ermchtigungsgesetz" followed on the heels of the Reichstag Fire Decree through which Hitler gained dictatorial command of Germany. He came to power through a legal process, but historical records are unclear as to whether or not the Communists actually burned the Reichstag. And it could very well have been the Nazis themselves - who gained a tremendous advantage through the decree that followed.

With the powers granted by the Reichstag Fire Decree, this new Nazi party prohibited freedom of expression and the press. Public assemblies were banned. Postal mail and telephone calls were no longer private. This was the beginning of events that ultimately led to a Second World War.

Jump ahead to 2007 and the Patriot Act in which vehicular homicide has been redefined as an act of domestic terrorism simply because it is "dangerous to human life", and is in violation of state and federal laws.

Erosion of our freedoms is a byproduct of this government's abuse of power. And the details are found in the Patriot Act, but few Americans are familiar with such details. According to the ACLU, "the government has broadened its powers to allow law enforcement to secretly search our homes, monitor what we read and collect personal information on all of us such as medical, financial and phone records, even if it has nothing to do with terrorism - and all without a court warrant."

As more and more Americans are dissatisfied with the war on terror, the Patriot Act continues to be revised and strengthened, while Congress stands by as George signs another bill with pen in hand.

Learn more about this author, Nikolaus Federmann.
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