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The Hypocrisy and Absurdity of Congress

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Message Fernando Macias
Repeal the Patriot Act
Repeal the Patriot Act
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While Congress hurries to repeal President Obama's Amnesty Act of 2015, it's clear to see that they are calling for separation of powers, and an end to executive overreaching by memo. Congress is acting in the best interest of the American people as many opponents of the Amnesty Act have declared. It's easy to see that Congress is concerned with the taking away of their power to control that aspect of the law. If Congress is so concerned with the possibility that a little power may be taken away from them, then why aren't they equally concerned when power, in the form of civil liberties, are taken away from the American people through the Patriot act, and the soon-to-be National Defense Authorization Act?

In 2012 the President acted unilaterally to allow children of illegal status to stay and obtain legal status through an act called deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA). He then proceeded to allow legal-status procedures for all illegal aliens. This year all kinds of House and Senate bills have been introduced, like yellow flags thrown on a football field, in order to rein in President Obama's authority grab. If Congress is so concerned with the rule of law and its proper application, then why don't they restore power back to its rightful owners, the people of the United States of America. They came for them and I did nothing, and now they have come for me. If Congress doesn't restore power back to the American people they may indeed soon see their power gone through executive orders. A slippery-slope precedent has been set. The more Congress dirties its hands by eroding the Constitution the more it will see its own powers diminish.

It may well be past mid-night when it comes to reversing the balance of power. Congress would have to unite and, come what may, pass legislation that would repeal not only the Amnesty Act but the Patriot Act and the NDAA. Otherwise Congress could well see its own powers eroding seriously. We supposedly send our best and brightest to the Hill in Washington D.C.; however, how wise can you be to allow or think you can begin to destroy the Constitution of the United States and not have it adversely affect all of us.

Section 215 of the patriot act allows the government to spy on people without a warrant or probable cause. First-amendment rights are violated since spying agencies can and do spy on books you may have read, articles such as this one, that criticize the government. However, the National Defense Authorization Act goes even further by suspending habeas corpus. On March 1 2015 if nothing is done, anyone in the U.S. can be considered a terrorist according to the NDAA sections 1021 and 1022.

Congress seems to be turning a deaf ear to the American people, whom it claims it acts in the best interest of. It makes you wonder whom Congress considers "American people" because the vast majority of them are calling for reform and Congress is doing nothing. This particular behavior will mean sooner or later Congress too will lose its powers and influence to the same devices that have given way to the American people losing their liberties.

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Fernando Macias is a 57 year old lover of music, pencil drawing, guitar playing and chess. He also love to cook, but not particularly big on outdoor sports. He lives in San Antonio Texas where he also does some bird watching and photography.

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