The Patriot Act: The Patriot Act passed soon after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The goal of the Patriot Act intended to eliminate the possibility of further terrorist attacks on US citizens. To do this the new law/act created new special laws, agencies and lines of communications within law enforcement to serve this purpose. I) Impact of this legislation (perspectives): A) Supporters: Supports maintain the Patriot Act has led to a safer nation. They further maintain, certain rights are curbed/eliminated for the sake of national security and public safety. a) Groups/Political leaders on this side of the argument include Neoconservative Republicans, Progressive/Establishment Democrats – Example: Nancy Pelosi (D), George Bush (R). B) Opponents: Opponents of this legislation vary on reasoning and scope. The varying arguments against the Patriot Act are as follows: a) All Classical Liberals/Libertarians: State the Patriot Act increases the size and the authority of the federal government therefore impedes each individual US Citizen’s natural rights. They maintain an individual’s natural rights have never been/and never will be afforded by government therefore; government cannot adjust/amend/eliminate an individual’s natural rights. Example: Rep. Ron Paul (R) (retired) b) Some Progressive Democrats: Traditionally don’t have any objection to increasing the size of the US government. They do pose a similar objection to the Patriot Acts encroachment on the citizens civil liberties. Example: Shenna Bellows (D) (Running for Maine’s US Senate seat in 2014) c) Constitutionalist/Constitutional Republicans/Paleoconservatives: State the Patriot Act increases the size and the authority of the federal government therefore contradicts many of the amendments stated in the Bill of Rights as outlined in the US Constitution. Example: Sen. Ted Cruz (R), Sen. Rand Paul (R), Rep. Justin Amash (R), Rep. Thomas Massie (R) How they Vote/Claim they would vote: Susan Collins: (For!) Voted for and supports the Patriot Act Shenna Bellows: (Against!) Claim/Campaign promise would vote to repeal the Patriot Act
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 11:33:02 +0000
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