Why We Should Learn to Stop Worrying and Love Government Surveillance - Essay Example

If the federal government had earlier warnings, they may have been able to prevent this occurrence that harmed so many people and forever changed the way our nation viewed safety.

In this current day and age, new technology has made it easier to gather and intercept data at greater speeds without people’s knowledge. This technology can be used for positive intent to protect people on United States’ soil if done with the structure and transparent procedures. The valuable information that can be obtained for national security is a predominant value that cannot be easily overlooked or argued. 

Taylor also states that "the State should place all of its citizens under surveillance at all times and in all places, including their offices, classrooms, shops-and even their bedrooms." I agree with this to a certain degree. In order for surveillance not to be taken to an extreme, there need to be clear boundaries defined between the government’s right to monitor its citizens for the sake of public safety and violation of people’s rights. This will be a difficult line to tow since the government has been known in the past to go above what is necessary to gather data for the interest of the nation. An example of this is Watergate under Richard Nixon. Richard Nixon abused his authority in order to seek political information for his own gain. This is an example where Taylor is too optimistic. We need to ensure that any type of surveillance done by the government has strict guidelines with regular audits performed to prevent mismanagement.

I do agree with Taylor that the “type” of information that is gathered can be less invasive, such as his recommendation that use of actual visual media of the home environment is not necessary and can be done instead by heat-sensing surveillance in order to prevent criminal actions. The bottom line is that in this day of technology and availability of mass destructive weapons, it is critical that the United States steps up its ability to monitor the actions of its people. With this action comes the use of technology – and remote access to information in the homes. Taylor’s driving assumption of safety first is something that hits home for me. But with any action, laws, policies, and procedures, there needs to be strong supervision in its administration in order to prevent and minimize abuse. 

It is our responsibility to balance the “big brother” mentality with the “freedom” that we as Americans have known all our lives. Taylor is correct in saying that “with the right legal and procedural safeguards, large-scale governance surveillance would have many positive consequences.” The ability to gather up-front information to fight crime is a very powerful motivator for using technology for surveillance of activity.  In the end, protecting the American people – takes precedence over the risks and fears of violation of the privacy of the individual.