Do you think we should maintain the right to privacy?

Question

In response to some answers:

But isn't giving up our privacy what we are doing now with the patriot act and the "war on terror"?

Additional responses to answers:

Just because I wrote the question does Not mean I'm FOR it. So relax. I'm merely stating the obvious and hoping to get some informed answers in return. The right to privacy is a constitutional right if you ask me, and well according to the constitution as well.

PLEASE READ THE ABOVE ADDITIONAL DETAILS. MANY ARE MISUNDERSTANDING THE INTENT OF THE QUESTION.

If most of us in here agree...Then why are people still handing over their rights in the name of national security? What gives? And speaking of the war, weren't we trying to find Osama? Where the hell did he go? We're focused on Iraq again, why?

Answer 1

WHICH "right to privacy" ...?

The procedural one? The Fourth Amendment, or Fifth?

The statutory protections, such as statutes which guarantee the confidentiality of conversations between certain parties?

The one which the Supreme Court concocted in Griswold v. Connecticut?

{edit for clarification -- I started composing this answer before you added any additional info, so I could not have known that you were talking, indirectly, about the Patriot Act. And I can't address the issue of whether or not the Patriot Act is a violation of the Constitution because I don't know enough about the legislation.}

Answer 2

Without a doubt! As a matter of fact I believe that our right to privacy has already been breached to an extent which is unacceptable. Imagine, there are laws which tell you how to act on your own property.

Take a home owners association which can have you removed for not conforming to they're specifications, like your grass must be 2-3 inches in height; no more, no less. What if a law was passed which prohibited you from watching so much TV or how about new laws which prohibit certain foods from being sold to you?

Oh, here is a great one; you have a vehicle on your personal property which does not have a current state sticker on it but you did purchase one. A cop comes onto your property to check and see if you posted it. He discovers you didn't so now you have a ticket for $100 or go to jail (not to mention the cost of the sticker). Well, you might say, "he can't do that" or "the court will through it out since I already got the ticket". Guess what, not so my friend. You will pay that ticket since his breach of your privacy does not protect you from criminal activity even as minor as that.

I just think that I don't need the government to tell me how to live my life. I have made it this far so perhaps the government should focus on "bigger fish" like, oh... I don't know-THE WAR!

Answer 3

Are you kidding!

Those rights are bought and paid for and no one has the right to take them away unless by constitutional process. And I am not ready to give up mine, especially after the botch job already done by the FBI! You can give yous up, go turn them in. Leave mine alone!

And yes it is, but the Patriot Act and the Military Commissions Act of 2006 are both unconstitutional!

Congress has no right to give up my rights and violate the Constitution. If they wish do do so they can put a constitutional amendment on the floor and see if they can get a 2/3 vote to take away our privacy. Then it goes to the states to be ratified!

I have seen no such document and they can't take them away by fiat!

Answer 4

We should maintain our right to privacy. The government's misuse of the Patriot Act is getting out of hand. Most of its use is unknown to the general public. Big Brother wants to know you very, very well....

Answer 5

i hope the question is in jest.
you lose the right to privacy, you just gave government a power to completely control you. with no privacy the government can know anything about you and treat you any way they want using that information
remember government has a tendency to grow in size and power unless checked by its citizens

Answer 6

that depends on who's privacy we are talking about, I don't think people that put themselves in the public gallery should be but on a personal level yes unless there is reason to doubt the individual

Answer 7

Here's a thought. Why don't you give us all your bank info, SS number Drivers license number medical history and any other personal and private info. School records,Telephone number wages etc and then ask this question.

Answer 8

(shrugs shoulders) Mmmmm, we have it don't we? Nothing has changed in my life.

OK, and in what way under those laws has one thing in your life changed? Would love to have an example.

And I say again, my constitutional right this, my right that, what exactly in your insignificant life has changed? Is someone in e trench coat following you around? (I bet not), has your phone been tapped? (I bet not) Does everyone the " My Constitutional Rights " Types think the government has someone just for them on the payroll to follow them, and only them around? OK, so I ask again, what in your life has changed? .......................... Yep, Nothing!

Answer 9

This seems to be a poorly veiled attack on the Patriot Act or something. Why don't you just say, "I hate the Patriot Act, don't you?"

Answer 10

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! A thousand times YES!!! And you are right, they are trying to take away a lot of our rights with this terrorism act, among other things. As long as people like the ACLU keep fighting off the government, we will keep some of them. I will fight tooth and nail to keep mine!! Good question!!!