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Maybe it's popular to be a cynic, but it seems to me that the system of checks and balances written into the constitution (the sharing of power among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches) has pretty effectively limited the power of the presidency and the Congress. It may not be perfect, but it's a heck of a lot better than the old monarchies, in my opinion.
Ideally, it's vastly better. But the executive branch has slowly been gaining power for decades, and many find this cause for concern. Throw in the erosion of individual rights that is the PATRIOT act, and it's no surprise that the conspiracy theorists have had a field day with 9-11. I just happened to reread an editorial from a few days later, predicting that some would propose ill-advised curtailments of rights in order to make things safe. I recall thinking at the time that reason would prevail.
Oops.
I also just read some more news about the Guantanamo Bay detention facility for all the foreigners we've taken in. They're building an execution chamber, among other things. None of those people are subject to the Geneva Convention or any laws giving them any rights whatsoever. We are publicly and shamelessly circumventing both our own law and international law in our treatment of prisoners. I'm not saying it will happen tomorrow, but it's a step toward the day when it happens to you or me.
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