This is an excellent article explaining why our government cannot have secret surveillance laws if we are to live in a free society. Hint: They do have secret laws, and we do not live in a free society. By examining what is wrong with secret laws the article emphasizes why the NSA surveillance scandal, perpetrated under the Patriot Act, is so serious.
By logical association one can thereby understand the danger of rushing to pass any legislation without its first being thoroughly read, debated, and understood by both Congress AND the American people. Obamacare is an example of such legislation (Pelosi: “You need to pass it so you can find out what’s in it.”)
Ms Hoelzer includes an insightful quote from a 1960 report issued by the House Committee on Operations:
“Secrecy — the first refuge of incompetents — must be at a bare minimum in a democratic society for a fully informed public is the basis of self government. Those elected or appointed to positions of executive authority must recognize that government, in a democracy, cannot be wiser than its people.”
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I cannot thank you enough for the article post. Much obliged.