Advantages and Disadvantages of the Patriot Act
The USA Patriot Act, which stands for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism, was an act signed into affect by President George W. Bush in 2001. It’s goal was to reduce and eliminate any threat of terrorist actions in America. It did this with a wide variety of surveillance and profiling techniques, which some people found to be a bit intrusive. Let’s take a look at all of the advantages and disadvantages associated with the Patriot Act.
Advantages of Patriot Act
Better Protection
After the Patriot Act was enacted, it gave the law enforcement important tools needed to combat terrorism. Being able to search people, racially profile people the fit certain stereotypes, and have a much larger scope of surveillance, crime and potential terrorist threats can be much better monitored.
The Results Where Astounding
Since the time it was signed into play by the President, the Patriot act has been solely responsible for the conviction of 395 people on crimes relating to terrorism. People where not aware how close to home terrorists actually where. These arrests gained this act quite a bit of support.
Funding And Support For Victims
Financial assistance, housing, and many other services are provided to victims and the families of people who where touched by the tragic events of a terrorist attack. This is a great outlet for the people, and also diminishes the extent of destruction that these terrorists can actually cause.
Checks and Balances Are Still In Play
This act is separated into many different titles. Each of these titles also has many different points to further clarify the extent of the act. All of these things have to go through the checks and balances system that is place in the U.S. government, ensuring that nothing breaches our constitutional rights.
Disadvantages of Patriot Act
Invasion to the Privacy of the Americans
The fact that phones can be tapped and that any records can be pulled has made millions of Americans feel extremely uneasy at this breach of privacy. Many wonder where the line needs to be drawn on the surveillance measures of this act, and who is in charge of drawing them.
No Such Thing As Anonymous
The measure put into play with the Patriot Act has made the idea of remaining anonymous completely obsolete. Things like IP addresses, phone GPS, and many other records can pinpoint exactly where information or threats are coming from, and whom.
The Patriot Act, just like other issues, should be evaluated, analyzed or adjusted. As long as it is after securing the welfare of the citizens, then it should be pursued.