Is anybody else scared?

I had a very powerful thought the other day pertaining to how people work in groups, especially when those groups have power over others. Anywhere from management of a company, to our State and Federal officials. The conclusion that I came to was this: Many folks start out with the best of intentions, but what happens is that apathy and arrogance kicks in, and the people in power quickly become comfortable with the power they have, and they forget where that power actually comes from. The only power that elected officials have, is the power that WE give them.

What happens at the point of apathy is that, even with the best of intentions, a solution to a problem is developed but because it is not well thought out, it has disastrous consequences. A prime example of this is the support of the Patriot Act in Congress. Many Congress men and women went along with this horrendous legislation because they thought it would make our country safer. We, the citizens, also went with it thinking the government needed this to help keep us safe. Government should move slow for a reason. If Government moves too fast, you should stop and investigate.

Do not forget that it is us, the citizens that are in charge and not the politicians. "They serve us", not "we serve them"!

So that being said, this was the main story that Google News picked up the other day.

FBI Prepares Vast Database Of Biometrics

Maybe I have just read too many books (1984, Brave New World, etc), but one of the key problems with power, is simply that it will pretty much always be abused. So when I see the Government spending a billion of our tax dollars to create a database to help track us, then I just keep thinking that we have been taxed to build tools to keep us in line. Just look around the world at all the tyranny of the past and present, and do not think for a second that our government, if left unchecked, is somehow immune to these thoughts. It may not happen intentionally by all, but it only takes a few leaders to lead the blind herd. Just look back at the McCarthy Hearings or the way that the 16th Amendment was passed. Also go and read about the current ideas floating around for a "National ID Card". This is another horrible idea that sounds good at first, but when you peel the layers back you see it for the terrible idea that it is.

A National ID Card Wouldn't Make Us Safer - Bruce Schneier

Finally, take a look at the this incredible piece of legislation: Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 On the surface, it sounds fine, but when you start digging, it just has alarm bells all over it.

HR 1955 [wikipedia].

Sadly it passed 406-6. It was presented by a Democrat. So much for the Democrats sticking up for Civil Liberties. I guess that has fallen out of favor with both parties. My complaint about this bill is that it is totally unnecessary, but that is my personal opinion.

Here is the status of the bill now before the Senate.

In summary, do not let it be said that we built the cage for ourselves to be held in, whether it be taxes, civil liberties, or apathy. If you are not working against these items, then do not complain when we pay 50% of our taxes to a government that tracks our every move. As Dr. Paul said the other day (paraphrase) "Freedom is a new idea, Tyranny is old, very old"