>The so-called "Patriot Act" is frightening, not because of what could be done to me, but how a political regime could use it against anyone they wanted to.

Exactly. Corporate and presidential robber barons will fight to keep their political ways and allies.
If you only knew some of the stuff they've done in the past, then you'd REALLY be scared.
Yeah, big brother is watching, but it ain't gonna work for them so easy.
Remember what happened in Russia. The military only went so far to enforce the whims of the political leadership.

Hey what ever happened to public floggings and the guillotine?