The Fight to Stop the Patriot Act Expansion Begins Now
Decisive
House and Senate votes on the future of the Patriot Act are right around the
corner. For nearly four years now, our government has claimed the
kind of unchecked power and lack of due process that challenge the most
fundamental principles of freedom and democracy.
Now the Bush Administration
and some leaders in Congress want to make every one of those powers permanent
and are even pressing for further expanding the Patriot Act's assault on
fundamental freedoms.
People across the country have made clear their
opposition to the Patriot Act. Hundreds of communities - and seven states - have
passed resolutions against the Patriot Act and held town hall meetings to
discuss its impact on their residents and our Constitution. Congress has a duty
to listen to its constituents.
The Patriot Act needs
to be reformed, not expanded. There are significant flaws in the
Patriot Act, flaws that threaten your fundamental freedoms by giving the
government the power to access to your medical records, tax records, information
about the books you buy or borrow, all without probable cause. It also gives the
government the power to obtain a special "sneak and peek" search
warrant to break into your home and conduct secret searches without telling you
for weeks, months or indefinitely.
It doesn't matter if you're
a Democrat or Republican, a progressive or a conservative: liberty is a
universal value. Make your voice heard, tell Congress that the Patriot Act
should not be made permanent, and it absolutely must not be expanded.
People across the country have made clear their opposition to the Patriot Act. Hundreds of communities have passed resolutions against the Patriot Act and held town hall meetings to discuss its impact on their residents and our Constitution. Congress should not be tone-deaf to these serious concerns.
There are significant flaws in the Patriot Act, flaws that threaten our fundamental freedoms by giving the government the power to access to medical records, tax records, information about the books we buy or borrow without probable cause, and the power to break into our homes and conduct secret searches without telling us for weeks, months, or indefinitely.
Finally, I believe that the PATRIOT Act is an attack on fundamental American values and that it needs to be fixed. The Constitution and its Bill of Rights emphasize the need for checks and balances on government agents and limits to their power. I understand that the PATRIOT Act rolled back key judicial oversight and gave law enforcement significant new powers that go beyond the war on terrorism. Reforming this legislation would be an important step in bringing the PATRIOT Act back in line with American values.
Once again, I strongly urge you to oppose expansion of the PATRIOT Act.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this very important matter.
Sincerely,
/your signature/
/your address/
/city, state zip/
