FC: Weekly column: Congress is back, and we should be worried

[Declan McCullagh <declan@well.com>]

http://news.com.com/2010-1071-956201.html?tag=politech

   What's the fall fashion in Washington?
   By Declan McCullagh 
   September 3, 2002, 4:00 AM PT

   WASHINGTON--When the U.S. Congress reconvenes today after a month
   recess, let's remember what a New York judge said in 1866: "No man's
   life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in
   session."
   
   Sure, Judge Gideon Tucker may have exaggerated a trifle. But it's
   still a good rule to keep in mind as politicos use the anti-terrorism
   campaign and the Sept. 11 anniversary to inflate budgets, widen
   deficits, and hand police more eavesdropping powers.
   
   The danger of Congress being unusually profligate in discarding both
   money and Americans' privacy is especially real right now. First, it's
   an election year. Second, the war on terror has eliminated most of the
   usual obstacles to fiscal extravagance. Third, the Bush administration
   seems determined to reduce Americans' protections against government
   snooping--all in the name of protecting America from terrorists.

   [...]




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