The United States Patriot Act

Paper Summary:

The United States Patriot Act was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives soon after the attacks of 9/11 and was initially designed as one of the governmental measures taken in the fight against terrorism. The author contends that the measures stipulated in the act generated massive debates over whether or not the Patriot Act abridges essential freedom. The paper examines the measures and powers given to authorities by the act. The writer discusses the effects of these measures on the United States as a democratic nation.

From the Paper:

"Through the Patriot Act the US government can constantly monitor any terrorism suspect and the people that he interacts with. For example, any phone that might at one point be used by a terrorism suspect can be legally supervised indefinitely and so even those that have no relation with a terrorist suspect and simply use a public phone or accidentally come in contact with a terrorist suspect can be supervised and their phone can be monitored. The biggest concern is that the government will have easier access to personal information of any citizen and that there is no guarantee that that personal information will not be used against individuals. There is a great risk of allowing governmental agencies easy and hidden access to private information as this would permit a great amount of unwanted control of governmental agencies over private life."

Sample of Sources Used:

• McKenna, George, and Stanley Feingold, eds., Taking Sides. Clashing views on controversial political issues, McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, Dubuque, Iowa, 2005.

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• Argumentative Essay # 129966 : "The Patriot Act's Impact on American Society"

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