To Really Make America Great, Trump Could ‘Reassert 4th Amendment And Roll Back Surveillance State’

This article was written by Kelli Sladick and originally published at the Tenth Amendment Center.
Editor’s Comment: The truth of the matter is that presidents come and go, and while some are better than others, it is better that way. What remains, and shall not be infringed, is our rights as a people. Unfortunately, 9/11 and the War on Terror were used to justify a massive domestic surveillance program that has utterly trampled upon the rights and due process of American citizens. George W. Bush delivered the first major blow, but Barack Obama continued and expanded those powers – albeit quietly, by signing documents including the NDAA – that have re-classified free people as potential enemy combatants and domestic terrorists.
With all of Donald Trump’s talk and vague promised about making the country return to greatness (definitely, a hell of a campaign slogan), what would be the most lasting and meaningful would be rolling back the tyranny of the executive branch. The Oval Office has taken away from the American people something that was never theirs to take – and American cannot and will not ‘be great again’ if that oppressive era is not repealed, and stopped in its tracks. However, early signs point to Trump’s support for an expanded war on terror against ISIS, surveillance against Muslims and other ‘at risk’ groups and a general empowerment for the NSA and co.
It remains to be seen what Trump will do, and what his legacy will be – but if he wants history to see his greatness shine through, this would be the path to take. Here’s rooting for the Constitutional era of America, and not the corporate fascist one…
Following The Fourth Amendment Would Help Make America Great Again
by Kelli Sladick
During the last eight years, the Obama administration failed to live up to its promise reverse the Bush era’s mass surveillance of American citizens. In fact, it was expanded and justified. If you were silent, the sweeping power controlled by the president may not be on your radar for the right reasons. While there is a deep fear resonating, at least half looked the other way when ‘their guy’ held the powers of the presidency.
So let’s put aside the distractions roaring through the media, and let’s walk down memory lane.
The Fourth Amendment was assaulted relentlessly under Bush and it continued through both of Obama’s presidential terms. The hits came from two sides, one by mass surveillance and the other by undermining data security. Now, as my focus may just be on progressives for the moment, the truth remains that neither party, Republican nor Democratic has limited its power, especially in regards to surveillance. Know full well, I have no illusion that Trump will set a new trend of limitations.

This post was published at shtfplan on November 30th, 2016.