“I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery,” Thomas Jefferson once said. That sentiment has been somewhat seared onto the American conscience ever since; but while the trajectory of Jefferson’s life indicates that he meant it, do we?
A quick glance back over our country’s history would suggest we do not.
During times of “crisis,” both perceived and real, history instead shows a nation that is, for the most part, readily willing to give up essential liberties in exchange for promised security. It also portrays a government that is more than willing to capitalize on the fears of its people and use a crisis to expand its power.
After the attacks of 9/11, we saw one of the largest expansions of government occur right before our eyes. The 4th amendment right to privacy was eviscerated with the passage of the Patriot Act a mere six weeks after the buildings came down. The few civil libertarians who raised concerns about this drastic response were hushed with assurances that the bill would sunset............read more..........
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