I guess that's where we differ. I would rather risk having the law check my records if the suspected something if it means they are also checking those of the actual terrorists if it means it saves my life and those of my friends and family, let alone other Americans. Right now, these are the same capabilities allowed to the federal agencies in their war on drugs, but they could only have been used on known criminals. Who knows how many "unknown" criminals didn't get caught due to those limitations? Now, the Patriot Act allows a broader effort to stop them before we have to go into reactive-mode.
Again, it goes back to living the law-abiding life. Don't jaywalk. Don't run a red light. Don't attempt to buy a SAM from a third-world seller. You know?
I see your point....but I don't think that only law breakers have something to worry about. Invasion of privacy is something that we all have to be concerned with. I don't trust those who have this power to use it properly. And it's not partisan...I just wouldn't trust anyone with that much power of surveillance.
Obviously I want to save lives, too, but I think that overall, the Patriot Act causes more problems than it solves. I'd rather take my chances with terrorism and not have to worry about being watched. Terrorism is a threat, to be sure, but there are lots of risks in life, and I just don't see it as being at the top of the list. Call me naive if you wish.
I feel that the best way to defeat terrorism is to not let them change our way of life....they want us to be paralyzed by fear. I refuse to give in to that; I'm not afraid.