The misuse of power

The USA-PATRIOT act is a draconian law passed in the fearful days following 11 September 2001. Its intention was to reduce the efficacy of the pesky idea, known as “legal procedure”, to catch terrorists. Except that it has not so much been used to look for terrorists. The vast majority of its use—approaching 99% of cases—has been in the “war on drugs”, America’s traditional war without end.

If you give someone overarching power, they will use it for everything in sight.