The Patriot Act And The Unknown That Awaits Me

Official Start Time: 5:30 p.m.
Date: 11/29/08
Official End Time: 6:00 p.m.

Another essay I had to do for my AP English Literature class; this time arguing whether the Patriot Act is a good thing or a bad thing. I wonder if we'll ever get the chance to do No Child Left Behind or any other government policies that need reconsideration. Tomorrow's the last day of the month and a progress report is long overdue. This one is gonna be different from the other one. I'm only gonna grab a few quotes that I will work into a very well written piece. Beside that I'm unsure of what awaits me and what I need to do to meet my goals.

The Patriot Act was put into action as a form of defense against the war on terror. After 9/11, America had issues maintaining security on the home front and many were worried that more needed to be done to insure a safer environment for citizens back home. The Patriot Act would be this protector that watched for the well being of the American people, checking every bag and passport that came its way. But something along the way went horribly wrong and instead of insuring a safer environment for its citizens, the Patriot Act began to resemble the ideals of a totalitarian government in which fear and injustice began to replace the rights of the people. Zara Gelesy’s article, “The FBI is Reading Over Your Shoulder” does a great job describing how the patriot act doesn’t insure a safer environment for its citizens but instead pushes forward the ideals of a totalitarian government that subjects the rights of the people before acquiring the necessary information.

The Patriot Act pushes forward the ideals of a totalitarian government. In a totalitarian government the rights of the people are constantly subjugated. The government instills fear in its people through the belief that citizens should give up certain rights in order to insure certain liberties according to Thomas Hobs. America however has a democratic government. The Patriot Act thus fights against the American dream of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Under the Patriot Act, the rights of the American people are subjugated. The government has the right to access any file and any information they feel would provide proof of terrorist activity. Nothing stands in the government’s way of acquiring information that the average person would wish to hold discrete. The theory is that if you have nothing to hide you should have nothing fear, but knowing that the government is always watching doesn’t make American feels safe at home but nervous that their next move could result them being on investigated.

The Patriot Act is often ill informed and rash to make a decision against an innocent individual. Under the Patriot Act, the government has the right to access any files they feel would provide proof of terrorist like activity. Any suspicious activities amongst citizens should involve further investigation; even if it means infringing the individuals’ right to privacy. Fear is what consumes the American people under the Patriot Act for they can no longer read the books they like or visit the web pages they please as they are constantly being watched. The initial goal of insuring a safer environment is hard to see when the people live in fear.

In conclusion, Zara Gelesy’s article, “The FBI is Reading Over Your Shoulder” does a great job describing how the patriot act doesn’t insure a safer environment for its citizens but instead pushes forward the ideals of a totalitarian government that subjects the rights of the people before acquiring the necessary information. The fear that consumes the American people under the Patriot Act contradict the act’s initial purpose of instill of a safe environment for citizens back home.

Sincerely, Hector Guzman
0 Responses

Post a Comment

abcs