Government: Too Big for Its Own Britches

Government: Too Big for Its Own Britches The government in America has obtained too much power for its own good. Scandals such as wiretapping, the absence of Habeas Corpus in detained "terrorists", and the war on terror are all proof of this fact. There is a public outcry for the government to stop these acts, but their cries fall upon deaf ears. The Bush administration refuses to acknowledge the opinions of the masses, justifying all their actions either under Constitutional powers or executive rights. Wiretapping provides the most extreme example of the U.S. government abuse of its powers. For the U.S. government to spy on its own citizens without any consent goes against any right to privacy given to the public by the Constitution. And acts like the "Protect America Act," proposed by President Bush and his supporters to make wiretapping a warrantless procedure, do little to correct the situation (Peter). The U.S. government needs to take responsibility for more of its actions, instead of trying to justify them by making them laws. Terrorism may be a major concern, but U.S. citizens should not have to trade their freedom for safety. Acts like these that encourage spying on citizens only limit Americans' liberties without their knowledge thereof. Ideas like wiretapping are things that should be brought before the general public or at least members of Congress to gain their consent, instead of allowing one branch of the government to proceed unchecked. Another instance of the executive branch proceeding in their actions without regard for the Constitution is the treatment of prisoners in detainment camps. These prisoners are being deprived of their right to habeas corpus- a fundamental right in the due process of law. The executive branch has overridden that right and the voting majority of congress agreed, citing that "the prisoners are dangerous foreign criminals who don't deserve access to the U.S. court" ("Habeas Corpus"). Over 95 percent of the detainees in camps like Guantanamo Bay have not been charged with anything ("Habeas Corpus"). This presents a serious problem for citizens of the U.S, if prisoners' rights are being denied, how soon will it be until the rights of every citizen are denied? These prisoners are being arrested on American soil, so they should be charged like American citizens. But the government refuses to acknowledge that fact, instead upholding the belief that the possibility of terrorism is more important than one's civil liberties. This goes against the beliefs held by the forefathers. The reason there are enumerated powers is too limit the government so that they could not become over-powerful. The power still, and always will, lie in the hands of the people; not in the hands of the politicians or other government officials. Certain persons recognize that fact, but the current force that powers our government have yet to take responsibility for their actions, and refuses to correct their mistakes.
 
Works Cited
Peter, Tom A. "Bush Wants Permanent Warrantless Wiretap Law." The CS Monitor. 22 Sept. 2007. 25 Sept. 2007 .
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial Board. "Habeas Corpus: Bring It to a Vote." Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 20 Sept. 2007. 25 Sept. 2007 .