Yes, we can.

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I would suggest, from what I know of the Federalist Papers (which I've read, but certainly do not consider myself a scholar on), that they would be far more appalled at the level of spending on clearly not Constitutionally mandated functions. James Madison once said, when a bill appropriating $15,000 for some....gosh, I'm thinking refuges from somewhere, but can't be sure....that "I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents."

You think I haven't been hit in the pocket book? Do you think I'm rich? I still believe in the principles I'm espousing regardless of their direct impact on my bottom line because I think they're right.

How would the founding fathers feel about domestic spying and the Patriot (sic) Act?

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by JWBear

How would the founding fathers feel about domestic spying and the Patriot (sic) Act?

Fair question, and it is very tough to say.

I must say, being that I am a strict constructionist and I must be true to my belief system, that they would indeed object as a violation of the 4th amendment.

That being said, I personally do not have problems with the echelon system and software flagging personal conversations based on keywords for later analysis by a human. I'm not sure how they what they would think about that, because the flagging of keywords can perhaps mean that it is no longer unreasonable to listen in.