I agree that the Patriot Act expands the powers of our government in a way that is necessary for our protection. Our government was limited in its scope by outdated laws that didn't reflect the constant threats to national security that we have today. Because of today's technology, terrorist acts are easier to commit than ever before. Why should we limit ourselves from using this technology to protect us, when they are using it to harm us and others? I believe that if you aren't doing anything wrong, you shouldn't worry about the government's data mining; most likely, it won't affect you at all.
I agree with Joe Biden when he said, "the FBI could get a wiretap to investigate the mafia, but they could not get one to investigate terrorists. To put it bluntly, that was crazy! What's good for the mob should be good for terrorists." This is just one example of the restricting ways of our old laws and regulations; the "Virginia Jihad" is one example of how our new laws are helping us. Were the law enforcement officers and agencies not allowed to use our data the way they can with the Patriot Act, we may not have caught and stopped the terrorist cell growing in our own home. The US Patriot Act will do a lot more good than harm for us in the war on terrorism.