The whole US population as 'Enemy of the state'

[katherine]

No jobs for US citizens without Homeland Security approval
- AP

US citizens who apply for a job will need prior approval from
Department of Homeland Security under the terms immigration bill
passed by the Senate this week.

American Civil Liberties Union pointed out that the DHS's Employment
Eligibility Verification System (EEVS) is error plagued and if the
department makes a mistake in determining work eligibility, there
will be virtually no way to challenge the error or recover lost
wages due to the bill's prohibitions on judicial review.

http://aclu.org/immigrants/gen/29878prs20070525.html

If you think this isn't a problem just think of the thousands of people who happen to be on the no-fly lists and can't get their names removed.
So BigBrother can already deny freedom of movement to designated individuals (not to mention you already have to show ID to travel within the land of the free), next BigBrother can effectively nullify you from society as a human being.
How close is this from totalitarian state ?

"A government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away"

[lordbyroniv]

Then why not leave and go to Venezuela?

U wont be missed

[JMJ]

Well luckily it didn't pass and this isn't the only reason it's a good thing that it didn't. I hope next they follow through with freezing NAFTA. The immigration bill is one I was on the right side of the fence on thats for sure. I can't believe the democratic majority trying to push this bill through.

[lordbyroniv]

Amen that it didnt pass

[Duckinla]

How close is this from totalitarian state ?

Did ya hear? The government in NY city won't let restaurants make food the way they want to...say it's for the public safety. How close is that to a totalitarian government? Bar owners in California can't smoke in their own bar or let customers do it...they say it's for the public safety. How close is that to a totalitarian government? Lot's of liberals don't want us to be able to own guns...they say it's for the public safety. How close is that to a totalitarian government? Why don't you start railing against the things that actually affect us right now each day, instead of worrying about some future bogeyman?

[Raider]

just think of the thousands of people who happen to be on the no-fly lists and can't get their names removed. So BigBrother can already deny freedom of movement to designated individuals (not to mention you already have to show ID to travel within the land of the free

Government also has a duty to protect its citizens, public transportation safety is priority one.

[Duckinla]

Government also has a duty to protect its citizens, public transportation safety is priority one.

And not being allowed to fly (rightly or wrongly) is really not the same thing as having your "freedom of movement" denied. We all do lot's of movement all the time that doesn't involve flying. Some people live their lives without ever flying. It may not seem "fair" to the suspected individuals, but it is certainly not cruel or totalitarian.

[katherine]

Government also has a duty to protect its citizens, public transportation safety is priority one.

Indeed. So are much safer are we with the incompetent and ineffective TSA ?
Do you think you can trust the TSA ?

Let's look at our savior's achievements so far:

...
A DHS priority, US-VISIT enhances the security of our citizens and visitors, facilitates legitimate travel and trade, ensures the integrity of our immigration system and protects personal privacy. To date, more than 64 million visitors to the United States have been processed through US-VISIT without adversely impacting wait times, and more than 1,300 criminals or immigration violators have been intercepted as a result of the use of biometrics.

http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1158339486959.shtm

The DHS itself admits no terrorists were caught using their expensive gadget. The 'success' rate being 0.00203125% just to tackle petty crime.
Not that I have a problem with the government catching bad people but what's the price to pay for that ? Is it right to pour billions of $ into Orwellian systems at the expense of 99.99796875% innocents ?

...
Why don't you start railing against the things that actually affect us right now each day, instead of worrying about some future bogeyman?

You think it doesn't affect you. Did you board a flight recently ?
Even if it didn't you are next in line. People usually don't care about unjust laws or government until they get hit. It's a matter of time.

If you think surveillance is the answer look at the UK.
London is already the most CCTVed city in the world yet the various surveillance schemes already in place are not thwarting terrorist attacks.
Now I can hear the terrocrats®: we need even more surveillance. Classic.

[Duckinla]

The DHS itself admits no terrorists were caught using their expensive gadget.

Your logic is so completely twisted. The extra layers of security have succeeded in preventing attempts. If no one was caught and no one was successful, that means no one has tried. That's the whole point. A security alarm on your car has a visible light because it is intended to prevent attempts, not to actually catch car theives. Same case here. Where does the bitterness come from that makes you see success as failure?

And by the way, I do fly often. And when I get a careful screening, I thank the person for doing their job. I don't get angry at them for taking up my time. I don't grumble about the process. I appreciate the effort. But I'm going to guess that I'm just a more positive and happy person in general maybe than you are? I've never really let an administration get me down and permanently angry.

[Focus]

I always say it..if we were meant to fly in the air we would have wings...

[Raider]

Last February I boarded a plane from LAX to Manila, It took nearly 4 hours to check in, I don't have a problem with that, I would rather board a safe plane in 4 hours vs. boarding an unsafe plane in 1 hour.

Also, it may surprise you to know that years PRIOR to 911, Manila International airport had very much the same screening process as most US International airports do today, including NO liquids on board, they even thwarted an Al Qaeda plane attack PRIOR to 911 and passed that information onto the FBI under Clinton, which went completely ignored......Its very sad that it took over 3000 lives to increase security at airports in the USA, very sad.

If you think airline security is tough here in the USA, try flying out of Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, known as the most secure airport in the world, not one successful hijacking to date (departing).