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Surveillance Vs Government Surveillance

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The US government needs to find a happy medium when it comes to surveillance. According to the ACLU, “Our Constitution and democratic system demand that the government be transparent and accountable to the people, not the other way around” (ACLU 1). Of course the government needs to protect the people, but at the same time the government needs to respect the privacy of its constituents. The government is violating the people’s rights to things such as rights to privacy, free speech, due process, and association (ACLU 1). These rights have been paid for through the blood and personal sacrifice of many brave men and women throughout American history. These rights cannot be surrendered so that the government’s job can be made easier. Security is important, but the rights of Americans are too hefty of a price to pay for it. Privacy, free speech, due process, and association are critical components of American society and without it, Americans’ lives and democracy are undermined. (Russel 3) …show more content…

According to the ACLU, “Information is in the government’s hands… can be shared widely and retained for years, and the rules about access and use can be hanged entirely in secret without the public ever knowing” (ACLU 1). The government cannot be trusted with this much power and secrecy. By abolishing the bulk collection program, the government still has the means to protect the people from terrorist attacks, but they just have to do it within the confines of the Constitution. By having a bulk collection program, the government claims that it can be more proficient in stopping terrorist attacks before they happen. One must not sacrifice freedom for the promise of safety. Edward Snowden explains this concept well when he says, “None should be complacent about surrendering rights because [he or she] might need them later on” (Russel

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