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"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Benjamin Franklin

I always disagreed with that quote, and hate it when people roll it out like it's some sort of irreproachable truth.

Doesn't help that it's completely out of context as well, IIRC.

But even in this quote the weasel word "essential" is included in the term "essential Liberty". So what is absolutely essential? Could there be legitimate disagreements on that?

I mind losing my privacy for the sake of issues affecting a tiny fraction of the population.

I also wouldn't mind seeing some stats, that surveillance is an effective tool against the threats you listed.

I see your point and totally agree with it

Neither did the Germans living under the Stasi.

/s

If it's struggling from corruption then that is even worse. What happens when someone who is corrupt gets in charge of the surveillance? They could do anything, like have everyone they don't like branded as terrorists.

Being spied on against your will is terrorism. It is corruption in the US as the spying has violated the highest law.