[Noachian]

This is exactly what I feared would happen when the Patriot Act was passed.

It's the unintended consequences of curbing Constitutional liberties in the name of doing good things.

Sure, we'll catch crooks with this Act and some people will say: "So what? They deserve to be caught." Yes they do, but the problem is the PA wasn't set up to catch crooks. So, now we've went from catching terrorists, to catching crooks, and who will we catch next with the PA? Speeders? People smoking in restaurants?

Once you put a law on the books that can be interpreted by any police department as they see fit you have a potential disaster in the offing.

In all probability this board, and these postings, are being put into a database to be scanned by government officials for comments made here about the opposition to the PA, opposition the government itself, and whatever else comes into the minds of government bureaucrats. There was a time when this would have been unthinkable.

If this nation winds up with another Clinton-type as president, how long will it take for a police state to follow?

[Mulder]

If this nation winds up with another Clinton-type as president, how long will it take for a police state to follow?

This is already a quasi-police state. Another "terrorist act", and the ensuing legislation that follows will likely make it a full blown police state.

[Wayland]

With the detentions of citizens as enemy combatants and denying them representation and due process one could argue that a "police state" has started already under Bush.

[GregoryFul]

It is commonplace now to sieze people's property "involved" in the commission of even misdemeanors, without "due process", and constituting virtually "cruel and unusual punishment." Perhaps when people with parking violations loose their automobiles to the local constabulary they will wake up to the fact that the Constitution is frequently and notoriously violated by those who take an oath to uphold it.

This is a very serious problem. The people in office are just men and women with personal agendas, grievences, and prejudices. If these officeholders are not restricted by covenants that protect each of us from pesecution irregardless of actual circumstance then we are doomed. The PA is another fundamental violation of the limits of power imposed on government officials in the Constitution. Be afraid!

[A. Pole]

Sure, we'll catch crooks with this Act and some people will say: "So what? They deserve to be caught." Yes they do, but the problem is the PA wasn't set up to catch crooks. So, now we've went from catching terrorists, to catching crooks, and who will we catch next with the PA? Speeders? People smoking in restaurants?

Anti-Mafia RICO is being used against pro-life people and those owning "too much" cash.

[Bella]

....how long will it take for a police state to follow?

We're already living in a police state.

[Doctor Stochastic]

It's the unintended consequences of curbing Constitutional liberties in the name of doing good things.

I would have to disagree here. These consequences were intended from the beginning.