The US is going to have to get rid of The Patriot Act if we are ever going to be civil again.

[LiberalArkie]

I imagine once the tapping of the phones and the reading of the mail got started, someone in the admin asked the NSA "hey you guys got anything on the congress", they said "yea on everyone, you want out sir"

Then Obama gets elected and someone in the admin asks the new NSA director the same question and got back, sure you want it.

Rinse repeat. every administration had so much crap on everyone, no one would ever lift a finger because they could not take the heat when the blackmail came out.

[Jamastiene]

1. YES!

That never made us safer. It took away civil liberties. Anyone willing to give up their rights for freedom deserves neither. I know the quote was slightly different, but same concept. The Patriot Act never made us safer. It was just a placebo for safety that took away civil liberties. Lose/Lose.

[Miguelito Loveless]

2. We became a de facto police state

when it was passed. People agreed with me when Busg and Trump were in power, violently disagreed when Obama was president.

[BComplex]

9. I've agreed about the US becoming a police state after the Patriot Act/Homeland Security Act ever

since it came up for a vote. That was the most fascist-making piece of legislation that has been passed in this country in the last 70 years. Hell! Maybe 240+ years!

It needs to be canned, and the departments that were brought under that umbrella need to be more independent again, even if they have a cabinet-level leader to help coordinate if the need arises. It concentrates way too much power in the hands of potential bad actors or incompetents.

[JHB]

3. Yes. The PA was a Bushy-Boi wish list that they could only push through...

...after 9/11 and the climate they fostered where they could crucify no-voters as hampering the war against terror.

[alwaysinasnit]

4. K&R

[OhZone]

5. It sure looks like they have something on Blondie -

I mean Lindsay.

[LiberalArkie]

6. Something on everyone in the house, senate, past presidents and future ones also.

I have felt that is why nothing ever changes. It used to be J Edgar that kept up with it all, now some data nerds and directors of the NSA or DIA do it.

Probably nothing drastic, probably most of the data on people is of the nature of what stock to buy and sell. Still enough to get a rep or senator black balled. It never takes much. Maybe a senator got a DUI squashed.

[OhZone]

7. Oh, I think it's mostly Republicans -

Seriously.

[LiberalArkie]

8. I really doubt it.. Do you think a Democrat would turn down info on a Republican, someone like

a Michael Flynn or any other people.