Civil Liberties Concern Rises—But Whose?
📰 THE STORY: Newsweek observes that civil liberties have surpassed immigration as a top voter concern for the upcoming election, suggesting a 'warning for Trump' and implying a change in the electorate's focus. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The erosion of civil liberties under the guise of national security has been a bipartisan project for decades. Key markers include the
Patriot Act post-9/11 (2001), which vastly expanded government surveillance powers, and the FISA Amendments Act (2008), which codified illegal wiretapping. These frameworks, championed by both Democratic and Republican administrations, laid the groundwork for today's pervasive surveillance states. Double Standard: While Newsweek frames this as a 'warning for Trump,' mainstream outlets rarely hold
the Democratic establishment accountable for their role in dismantling civil liberties. For example, during the 2019 uprising in Chile, extensive surveillance and brutal suppression of protestors by the Pinochet-era police force were largely ignored by US media, which instead focused on 'restoring order.' Or consider the silence on Canada's invocation of the Emergencies Act in 2022 to freeze bank
accounts of protestors, a move that would be decried as authoritarian if it happened in an 'enemy' state. Follow the Money: The military-industrial complex and surveillance technology companies benefit immensely from a public perpetually fearing external threats. Companies like Palantir and various defense contractors receive billions in government contracts directly tied to surveillance programs,