This sounds so much like a problem concerning the USA PATROIT Act of 2001, which, as far as I'm concerned, is one of the most offensive abuse of power that any government can ever do to its foundations... Personally freedom is something that should be cherished rather than condemned in the time of troubles because it is a voice that warns the public against the blinding and bounding force of nationalism and militarism under the disguise of "patriotism". A government, being formed by the public consensus or social contract, should only act within its limits of protecting the citizenry and not intruding the citizenry's freedom. I mean, even the "clear and present danger clause" should not be considered a proper excuse of such violation of that sacred contract--otherwise, the civil government itself can be nothing more than that heinous Leviathan... The dissenting voice against the government in time of crisis is often the voice of reason, as the average mass surrender themselves and their freedoms to the government for the "higher good of societal welfare"! How preposterous! Surely, the great societal welfare can indeed be achieved when the government continues to blend in the public sphere with the private sphere, as Jurgen Habermas stated in his Transformation of the Public Sphere. And, when the perfect harmony is achieved, what would be left of the society is a completely controlled world in a totalitarian regime... Yes, 1984 can be true! Telescreens, ministry of truth, Big Brother, and the brilliant slogan of "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength" will be a part of our lives if we allow the government to go too far to "protect" us. As John Locke stated, perhaps when a government starts to abuse its power, it is our duty as voluntary signers of the social contract to disassociate ourselves with the civil government. The laws of nature don’t change. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness must be preserved. To give up freedom for the sake of "greater good" is ludicrous.
