The USA Patriot Act was hastily passed in the wake of the horrific attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. This act poses a very serious danger to American constitutional rights, but more importantly, it offers protection by the government in a time of crisis. The majority of the American people want protection from the new common enemy, terrorism. It is imperative, however, to understand that when the freedoms of citizens are forcefully taken from them, those citizens look to government for protection (Davis par 6). The Patriot Act undertakes an endeavor that does not undermine the basic freedoms of Americans, but protects a country of citizens that have willingly invested their freedoms in the government for protection.

The USA Patriot Act gives the government the right to monitor the research habits of suspected terrorists in an effort to stop terror

ism. However, this act allows government the right to use discretion in their actions. The need for such a proactive law is obvious because in this democratic government the people affect policy. The public opinion is clearly seen when the Senate passed this law 98-1 and the House had a clear majority with a 357-66 vote.

The biggest concern for those who oppose this law is that the government has discretion. The government has been notorious for abusing power. However, the government has a system of checks and balances that separates powers and monitors activities. It would be very difficult to abuse this law because the only people being interrogated are those who have given government reliable reason to suspect acts of terrorism (Streets par 10). The act has enormous potential in stopping the threat of terrorism. If the government is able to extract or uncover a planned act of terror b

Some topics in this essay:
Patriot Act, John Ashcroft, North Carolina, patriot act, USA Patriot, usa patriot act, usa patriot, citizens willing, imminent threat, government protection, government discretion, government crisis, democratic government, davis par, people protection,