We are nation building in Iraq in the name of democracy. We are allowing the warrantless search of our own citizens without judicial scrutiny and by presidential fiat. We have tortured enemy prisioners in Europe within loopholes briefed and argued by staff counsel for the President.

What is a democracy? In my view as I have been educated and read for these many years-a democracy is the form of government where the people are the source of privilege and power to elected officials. Power is not dictated nor directed by the single voice of an executive branch of our government. The design of our system is a constitutional balance of power that was agreed to by the people that are being governed.

When did we change our constitution? Did 911 eliminate the laws, codes and mandates of a free society such that a president and his branch of the government how call the shots and you better get used to it?

How do you feel about all this? Are you tired of reading about torture, vetting of intelligence in the ramp up to the war, the body count, the refusal of detainees to be afforded counsel warrantless searches of innocent U.S. citizens and the Katrina fiasco?

This week, the Senate has blocked the Patriot Act extension at least for now. The last time it passed it was prepared the day before, admittedly not read nor debated due to the “terror threat” and only one man voted against it. Now, the branch of our government responsible for enacting laws pursuant to the constitution are reading and understanding that this law goes way too far in eliminating our civil rights.

Civil rights? Of yeh, those are what we are guaranteed by our constitution. The right to due process, to a trial by jury and to be free from warrantless searches and seizures. Surely, in times of threat and war these rights must be interpreted and balanced—but come on—does the President and Richard Hadley really think we need to torture people? How about those secret camps in Europe?

There’s something happening here and it seems to becoming very clear. Is it time for the citizens of this nation to remind our president that he was elected-not annointed.

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