Though the concept of homeland security is necessary in the war against terrorism, the American people should also be vigilant against altruistic zealots who would erode our freedom in the name of feeling safe.

It is well known and understood that reactionary laws and presidential edicts without deliberation are seldom, if ever, repealed or withdrawn under more reasonable circumstances and conditions.

Indeed, it's troubling, at least, to see opportunistic political bipartisanship at work beefing-up law enforcement, nationalizing air travel and nuclear power plant security on one hand, and eroding privacy on the other, not to mention the leaps and bounds of security costs and impositions among the several states.

Feeling safe and secure is one thing. Being paranoid and repressed by intrusive fear mongering is quite another. Living in a politically correct society that has been thoroughly assaulted by selfish interests and battered by the failures of good intentions, is bad enough.

Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
The Direct Democracy Center