In August the United States government agreed to give away more of our rights and freedoms just so we can appear "tough on terror."

Congress voted to pass the "Protect America Act of 2007" before going on summer vacation. The act grants more power to the government to eavesdrop on interpersonal communication, all in the interest of national security. The act also allows the government to attain records from telecommunication companies and provide a legislative shield to protect them from lawsuits.

Nearly 200 Republicans were joined by 41 Democrats in the House to pass the legislation. In the Senate, only 28 Democrats opposed the measure. Why does our government continue to ignore why we elected them?

President Bush said in a White House release, "today we face a dynamic threat from enemies who understand how to use modern technology against us. Whether foreign terrorists, hostile nations, or other actors, they change their tactics frequently and seek to exploit the very openness and freedoms we hold dear."

Well these "actors" are exploiting our freedoms, so our president feels that we just shouldn't have any.

Democrats are being bullied by the Republicans so they do not appear weak on terror. It is the same reason they continue to vote to fund the war, and it is also the reason that despite polling in the 30-point range, Bush continues to over-extend the power of the executive branch. It was the tough talking platform that gave democrats the majority, now it is going to be their spineless transition that costs Democrats the White House in 2008.

Keep in mind that the Democrats consciously decided to bring this vote to the floor. Nancy Pelosi may have voted against the measure, but it doesn't change the fact that she chose to vote on something she knew Democrats would lose, merely so she wouldn't appear as if she was holding up national security. I hope we remember acts like this come next election.

The Justice Department words the act as a modernization of the Foreign Intelligence Act of 1978, originally created during a self-induced national paranoia. The American government is essentially choosing to regurgitate Cold War laws in an effort to protect us from people who live in caves.

Using the guise of national security, Bush has shoved his agenda down the throats of the American people, denying America the air of freedom that our country was founded on.

This law, along with the infamous Patriot Act, is in clear violation of American freedoms and ideals.

Fortunately the act is only effective for 180 days. Congress will revisit the wording after the "sunset is over." Maybe over the next six months the Democrats will prove that they are the elected majority, and not just school kids angry that George Bush keeps taking their lunch money.