I'm on the fence with this issue, because I feel as if the Patriot Act has both helped and hindered citizens of the United States.
The government is able to take away some of our inalienable rights in times of war and other threats, because they must increase their levels of security. The downside of this; more security, less liberties, less security, more liberties.
It's a bittersweet deal for us all, but it appears that after 9/11/2001, attempts to attack the United States of America have been minimal ever since the NSA, Homeland Security, and the Patriot Act were established.
Sifting through all information, public and private is necessary to weed out potential terrorism plots. Although, innocent citizens are also held under a microscope and nothing they do is private anymore.
It's very conflicting for me. I'm not quite sure which position to choose.