"They who can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

- Benjamin Franklin (1759)

The fearful masses have happily surrendered their civil rights and constitutional protections after September 11th, thinking that their government will protect them from the "monsters" it has created, funded, and motivated. People are being detained without evidence and are found guilty until proven innocent (if they ever get the chance to present such proof). The Justice Department expanded its authority to eavesdrop on attorney-client conversation, eroding more rights. Freedom of speech is also a thing of the past. Anyone expressing discontent with America is subjecting themselves to social scorn, government surveillance, and possible detainment. There have even been teachers chastised and suspended for presenting nonviolent, alternative views in media and political classes. Some, such as Dr. Sami Al-Arian (a computer engineering teacher fired from the University of South Florida), have been fired for expressing their views outside of the workplace.

At the beginning of 2002, "President" George W. Bush proposed the largest military increase in two decades. This increase adds $48 billion to the already astronomical annual military budget. This increase alone is larger than any other country's military budget, with the exception of Japan. Before adding $48 billion to the amount spent on military every year, Bush:

- Cut $39 million from federal spending on libraries. (This happened one week after Laura Bush started a national campaign for libraries.)

- Reduced the Community Access Program by 86%. The Community Access Program coordinates care for people without health insurance.

- Cut funding for the Girls and Boys Clubs of America programs in public housing by $60 million.

- Cut $15.7 million from programs dealing with child abuse and neglect.

- Cut healthcare benefits for war veterans.

- Attempted to eliminate "Reading Is Fundamental," which gives free books to poor children.