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H.R. 3162 (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001
"Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism"

My bank recently assessed me $75 in fines; the only explanation given for the fees was "overuse". Huh? I've banked with this institution for over 25 years and had never been charged for "overuse". I called my bank for an explanation.

The customer service agent informed me the fees were assessed due to the Patriot Act. I asked her to repeat what she said because I could not believe my ears. She reiterated "You are in violation of the amount of fund transfers you can make, in accordance with the Patriot Act".

When asked for further explanation, she said "If you move your money around too much, the government wants to know about it; excessive movement of funds points to money laundering. Money laundering is critical to the financing of terrorist acts and can threaten the security of American citizens." I learned the bank collected the fees to cover the expense of reporting my transactions to the federal government.

I thought my head was going to explode; middle-aged, middle-income, living in middle-America, ME, being scrutinized for possible money laundering under the Patriot Act? I had transferred about $3,000 in a 30-day period from savings to checking and back again. That's what sent up the red flags.

I knew the basics (or so I thought) of the Patriot Act; passed just 45 days after the attacks of September 11, 2001. I had to know more, so I set about reading the provisions of this act. If you're not a Harvard Law graduate (I am not), good luck deciphering the legal language.

I did not read the entire 342-page document; the following are what I consider salient points: The Patriot Act expands the ability of law enforcement to conduct secret searches, gives them wide powers of phone and Internet surveillance, and access to highly personal medical, financial, mental health, and student records with minimal judicial oversight. It allows FBI Agents to investigate American citizens for criminal matters without probable cause of crime if they say it is for "intelligence purposes."

I am not overly concerned about my rights to privacy. I believe if you have nothing to hide, hide nothing. What infuriates me is that this is where our government's resources are being directed. I don't give a damn if Uncle Sam wants to know I transferred $1,100 to pay for new window coverings. I don't care if they look at my medical and/or student records.

What I DO care about is the ongoing occupation/war in Iraq, how about worrying about the lives and money being lost there? I am deeply concerned that: our ports are no more secure than they were on 9/11; major airports across the country recently "missed" 70% of fake bombs sent through security for testing purposes; our bridges are collapsing; due to global warming, wildfires ravaged California - drought has left parts of Georgia and Alabama (right now, today) restricted to 3 hours of water use daily; New Orleans still stands in ruin; drunk drivers and pedophiles (with multiple convictions) roam our streets because our justice system is broken.

Most of all, I am sickened the Constitution of the United States of America is being high-jacked, disregarded and disrespected; this President does not think the laws apply to him.

"God Bless America" we sing it proudly; "In God We Trust" it's printed everywhere. Yes, may God Bless America I fear only "He" can save us now.

Sources: Library of Congress: http://thomas.loc.gov

Learn more about this author, Mary Dorice Wills.
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