Speaking of reality, excon, you said this: "You right wingers slay me when you come up with crap like that. I guess you forgot that the POLICE function of the federal government, under THIS president, under the guise of the "Patriot Act", is bigger and more intrusive than ever." How has the Patriot Act impacted your life? How does it intrude on your life? What is the purpose of the Patriot Act? Have you, or your neighbors, been victimized by a terrorist since the passage of the Patriot Act? Finally, what aspect of the Patriot Act bothers you the most?

Hello again, George:

I don't want to hijack toms thread, and we can talk about the Patriot Act on another if you wish.

We've got TWO questions going on here. You said Bush didn't grow the government. I said he did. Apparently, you agree.

Second question; For starters, the aspect that bothers me MOST is the spying on the American people without a warrant, contrary to the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution.

I see that you're very close to invoking one of the right wing talking points: "if you didn't do anything, you shouldn't mind the federal government tramping through your stuff". I have to snicker about that. Right wingers only say that as long as it's somebody else's stuff they're looking through. But, when it's really YOUR stuff they're checking out, right wingers get liberal very fast.

excon

You are right, excon; we shouldn't hijack toms thread. I heard Democrat yapping about the Patriot Act during the New Hampshire debate and the candidates are just preaching to their very liberal choir. For those who are interesed in knowing the other side of the Patriot Act, the side excon ignores and the press won't tell you, check this: The Patriot Act and Related Provisions: The Heritage Foundation's Research