Who is the Next Victim of Government Spying?

The 1998 film Enemy of the State provides an inside look at what the American government is capable of. When Will Smith’s character becomes the target of the NSA for basically being in the wrong place at the wrong time he learns what the government is capable of. The victim of a cover up Smith is in a bind while government agents are after him. Without knowledge of what he did and the agents without knowledge of what Smith even knew they track him. Within minutes and all without warrant they know everything about him and they already have a plan on how to ruin his life. Within hours the agents have all his phones wired up and they have his entire house under video surveillance. Smith’s case is just an example of information going into the wrong hands and the government’s power to do whatever they want without anyone knowing about it. In time every person living in America theoretically could be the next victim, soon all victims. Just going on the internet or having a credit card it allows the government to tap into the person’s life. With the littlest amount of information the government can create and opinion about what one is doing with their life and whether or not it is a threat. While I am writing this the government could be spying on me through my computer looking at what my actions are, what I am typing, what I know they are up to. While I am writing this the government could be spying on my neighbor my father, even the taxi driver who just drove past my window. We are all subject to this treatment when we are inside Americas borders. The amount you receive depends on who one is or what they are doing.

Technology and surveillance is not all bad, there are many positive uses and outcomes that derive from it. Technology does help the world be much more productive and it has spurred more growth for America in the last 50 years then any other previous time. The Surveillance aspect is necessary and used in many positive aspects. One example is crime fighting. Cameras placed around crucial places on the streets, outside banks, inside stores, and in crowded areas allow police to put many behind bars for crimes caught on tape and it also scares off many potential criminals stopping potential crimes. Surveillance should only be legal in public spaces. If one walks outside his home he can be subjected to surveillance. It’s a choice if one leaves his home he risks himself to be videotaped by government and private cameras. In the end all cameras can be accessed by the government by the push of the button. For example the time square bombing, the entire incident was captured on surveillance camera and showed who did it. But at the same time that same camera shows if I or anyone else is walking in Times Square. Surveillance is a positive when used properly outside the home, but surveillance should never enter the private residence or any privately owned device.

What America needs is a middle ground for the surveillance. Yes it does keep American streets safer and in many cases is a reliable witness and has prevented to crimes. This is a great use for cameras, but they are on 24 hours a day. Although this allows anyone to be seen even if they are not involved in a criminal activity. Outside the home this is the facts, once can be taped anywhere. But the one right Americans have over the Surveillance that surrounds us is that our privacy is safe in our home. If this right is ever in jeopardy any cost to protect that is worth it. At this point the Terrorists aren’t a threat inside my house only the government is. America should just give a thought to what the cost is to protect what it values. If the values are the cost there is no point in continuing funding this type of security. When the enemy becomes our self and we have the ability to destroy ourselves that’s when something is terribly wrong.