Paul's Falls
I have lived in the Falls since 1968. My great-great grandfather was one of the village founders. I have served the community in multiple ways: Firefighter, various boards and commissions and for many years was president of the Falls Cable Access Corp. Currently I own, and am active in, a restaurant equipment manufacturing company.
Our Personal Freedoms Are Disappearing Fast
I can't remember the last time I felt that I was able to choose for myself how to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Perhaps it was when I graduated from primary school in the 6th grade. It was about that time that I first read 1984. Ever since then I have noticed our Big-Brother Government adding ever-increasing restrictions on to my diminishing abilities and freedoms.
The largest all-at-once loss was shortly after the 9/11 attacks when Congress passed the Anti-Terrorism legislation. We, as citizens, gleefully gave up many rights to the government with the assurance that these "few" restrictions would make everything right again. Baloney! Those laws must have been written well earlier because they are very complex and could not have been knocked out in such a short time following the attack.
Today I am on surveillance camera nearly everywhere I go. Metal detectors surround the entrance to most public buildings. My phone calls are being monitored and my prescriptions are entered into a government drug database. I have to show a photo ID to board the Amtrak to Chicago. Perhaps they expect I might hijack it and order it to go to Duluth.
The latest attempt will soon be debated in Congress. Diane Feinstein has authored a bill creating a nationwide fingerprint databank. Don't worry! They only want fingerprints of anyone having to do with issuing mortgages - nobody else. Just lenders and sales agents. Until next year that is. Something is sure to come by creating the need for every person's prints in the bank.
I will resist it and be very uncooperative if this comes to pass. The government will have to do without this bit of my uniqueness until the unlikely case that I commit a crime. Be aware of your freedoms being taken bit by bit. Do you ever get the feeling that it is all just a waste of our time and money?
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