Conspiracy theories, loss of faith and the Patriot Act

The paranoia of conspiracy theorists has its basis in circumstances that should alarm everyone. Thoughtful Americans have to view rabid partisanship, fearmongering, hypervigilance and the pugnacious devotion to military solutions in a wider context. These manifestations are having profound and deleterious effects on the body politic.

There is a reason why over 80 million Americans own more than 300 million guns, and it is not sportsmanship; it is fear of the oppressive potential of our own government.

{mosads}There is a reason why upwards of 60,000 people have joined militia-type groups, and it is not to assist police in carrying out their jobs; it is the fear of the oppressive potential of our own government.

There is a reason why black communities around the country have demonstrated against the militarization of local police; it is the fear of the oppressive nature of our own government.

There is a reason why civil libertarians view metadata collection and domestic spying as a threat to their personal freedom, and it is not because they believe government is benignly protecting them from terrorists; it is because they understand that these techniques can lead to political oppression.

There is a reason why there is a growing level of alarm over the domestic military exercises known as Jade Helm 15 planned for seven Southwestern states this summer; it is the fear that our own government might decide that domestic unrest requires a military response.

The fact of the matter is that a growing number of Americans are properly distrustful of our government and are increasingly losing faith in our democratic institutions. There is growing evidence that the national government has properly assessed this and certainly could consider suppression as one of its options. While suppression can be manifest in many forms, legislation passed after 9/11 has provided many of the tools, willingness and legitimacy that have contributed to the alarm. To quote from a recent article appearing in Western Journalism (one of the conspiracy theorist organs):

The Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act], etc., authorize the federal government to basically treat the U.S. citizenry as “enemy combatants.” As far as the passage of these laws is concerned, we Americans have already lost our right to trial by jury, habeas corpus, the right to have an attorney, the right to a speedy trial, the right to be secure in our persons, houses, effects, etc. Martial Law may not be the experience of most U.S. citizens YET, but understand that the laws are already in place for such an event.

This is not paranoia. Even the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) agrees:

Thirteen years later (after the Patriot Act’s initial passage), intelligence agencies like the NSA [National Security Agency] continue to use and abuse the sweeping surveillance powers authorized by this legislation in ways that threaten the constitutional rights of millions of Americans, with little congressional or judicial oversight.

The growing loss of faith in government, and the enactment of laws such as the Patriot Act, do not necessarily mean that our own government is now an active enemy of its citizens, or that it is actively seeking to suppress Americans. However, reasons for loss of faith are many — that fearmongering benefits the military industrial complex, that well-meaning protectors now have carte blanche to acquire all the military toys needed to deal with any eventuality, that national leaders are profoundly committed to preventing another 9/11 “at any cost” or that less-than-talented politicians find fearmongering an easy way to election victory. There are doubtless many more.

At the heart of much of this is the climate of fear that is fostered by economic and political elites, the existing fear and insecurity bred by a stagnant economic environment, and the overzealousness of many, many well-meaning Americans who view pugnaciousness as preferable to the careful assessment of security measures.

There are many culprits — both Democrats and Republicans. Collectively, they have: thoughtlessly abused our civil liberties without a care to the impact on its citizens’ sense of justice; deliberately and consistently ignored the long-term economic effects of favoring corporate interests, resulting in widespread economic insecurity; failed to attend to governing by steadfastly explaining and making government services accessible, understandable and reliable; wasted resources on military adventures over domestic improvements,; allowed for the deprivation of education and training and ignored the need for infrastructure and research; and spent far too much time demonizing their own citizens and their aspirations, rather than supporting them with service.

The fact of the matter is that we are not well represented by our politicians. But one of the ways to start moving toward a more civil society and the lessening of paranoia is the significant reduction of violations to civil liberties embodied in the Patriot Act. It so happens that the act comes up for reauthorization on June 1, 2015. As trumpeted by the ACLU, “This vote could be a watershed moment for surveillance reform, but only if Congress refuses to be just a rubber stamp.” Bear in mind, this is the third reauthorization since it was originally passed in 2001.

To constructively “unwind” the restrictions on civil liberties is simply one step among many needed to reignite widespread belief in our governmental institutions. There are many more. But every voter should be aware of his or her congressional delegation’s attitude on this matter, and hound them unmercifully if they fail to make changes that favor liberty over suppression. Otherwise, the paranoia abides.

Russell is managing director of Cove Hill Advisory Services.