Dear Editor,

How can twenty hi-jackers bring our civil liberties to nothing? There have been spies, hi-jackings, bombings, and even two world wars, yet our liberties have remained intact. Our vice president has created environmental policy based upon unknown sources whose interests are purportedly financial gain. Our congress has passed legislation without open debate on the floor. The president has put our entire country under marshal law since Sept. 14 and there has not been as much as one story on the front pages of major media.

Now, today I read the Bush Administration's proposal for the Department of Homeland Security explicitly removes structural and legal safeguards necessary to keep the agency open and accountable to the public. The proposal contains provisions that exclude the new agency from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and whistleblower protections. His proposal also lacks guarantees of strong oversight; as proposed, the agency's secretary will have veto power over the inspector general's audits and investigations. Only the hands of government secrecy and corruption could craft an agency like this. It will have absolute power over all of us with no oversight.

I am wondering why people have not taken to the streets, and why people are acting as though it is business as usual? It is a government for the people, by the people and of the people; that means it is our government. It is time to wake up and be accountable members of our government. If your readers care, I hope our elected officials will hear from them. If not, God help us.

Sincerely,