The United Soviet States of America.

I'm confused. In my younger years, it was taught that the United States is the greatest Country in the world and the Soviet Union was the bad guy. The reason was that US Citizens had the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, along with the bill of rights. For those that cannot remember what they are, or need a refresher, here is a link to them:

http://archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcri...

I sent an email to my Senators and Representative last year, this is what it said:
--------------------------------
It appears that nobody within the Washington political circles can see
what is happening to this country, as they are too close to the
situation.

Here is the comparison for the old USSR and USA.


The
USSR
-operated a State owned Auto Industry
-operated a State
owned Banking Industry
-operated a State owned Aircraft Industry
-had
armed military at their airports and train stations
-made every one
of its citizens keep their 'travel papers' while going from place to
place
-created the Berlin Wall, which made it next to impossible to
enter without going through official checkpoints.
-had total control
over the media (as other countries still maintain that control)
-collapsed
not too long after their failed invasion of Afghanistan (which the US
supported)



The USA
-just bailed out the Auto Industry
(except for Ford) and has a large amount of stock/control over GM.
Interesting because the Amtrak has been losing money continuously year
after year. How can Congress think that they can help manage an Auto
manufacturer?
-bailed out numerous banks with almost $1 Trillion
dollars of money created out of thin air. Now, the banks are essentially
'owned' in part by the Federal Govt until the loans are paid off.
-unless
I'm mistaken the Aircraft Industry has not yet gotten a bailout, but
there have been talks about them wanting one
-we have armed military
at some of our airports after 9-11
-the REAL ID is set to go into
effect on Dec 31, 2009.
http://www.ncsl.org/realid/
(from the REAL ID web
site) "Following the deadline of May 11, 2008, state driver's licenses
and identification cards were not to be accepted for federal purposes
unless the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determined that a
state was compliant with the REAL ID or a state had been approved for an
extension by the Secretary of DHS. All 56 U.S. jurisdictions have
received an initial extension from the Secretary of the DHS. The
initial extension is valid until December 31, 2009"
-the US is
working to create the border between itself and Mexico with either a
physical 'virtual' wall to try and slow down immigration. I actually
support this one, since our Congress cannot seem to get its act together
and apparently wants to give the illegal immigrants extra rights,
access to Social Security and welfare programs.
-is currently
rebuilding Iraq (with tax dollars), fighting 'terrorism' in Afghanistan
and crossing the border into Pakistan in a seemingly unending war.
-tried
to pass a version of the 'Fairness Doctrine' which would require radio
and television stations to give equal time to opposing views. As it
currently stands, Conservative radio is unopposed by liberal radio
stations. The Fairness Doctrine would reduce the amount of time allotted
to Conservative talk shows, if not completely shut them down.
-is
currently engaged in a war on drugs, yet is doing nothing about the
poppy crops in Afghanistan, which is a major source of raw material in
the drug war.

Maybe I'm wrong, but it appears to me that the US
is on a road that is leading the wrong direction. What we need is to
reduce the overall Federal Government. Once that starts, there will be a
reduction in spending tax dollars on a useless bureaucracy.
---------------------------------------------

Now, it is just over a year later and we find the 'virtual strip search' machines in many regional airports. If the individual opts out of the strip search machine, they are subject to a full body 'enhanced' pat down. If THAT is refused, they are turned back and face a possible fine.

Here is my confusion. The 4th amendment protects us against 'unreasonable' search and seizure', unless there is 'probable cause,
supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place
to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.'

Are we to believe that most of the travelers in planes across the United States have given probable cause, other than wanting to go from point A to point B and back in a timely manner? Or that the 'intelligence' services are too inept at their jobs that they have to institute the scans and body searches because they couldn't stop the 'underwear bomber, even when his father called and told them about him? The investigative services can use good old fashioned police work, following leads and profiling possible attackers to keep us safe. Not to belittle the situation, but the intelligence services could learn a bundle from the operators of Disneyland. The security there is behind the scenes and unobtrusive.

The reality is that the search procedures is designed to 'encourage' us to give up our freedoms gradually so that we can remain safe. How much farther will this go before every aspect of our lives will be monitored?

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall
not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place
to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Since some people need a question spelled out for them and cannot deduce a question from the above post or the answers, here you go.

Are you OK with the security measures that are in place?