And some people think democracies secure civil liberties... -Allen

Poll finds most Americans want broader authority to probe terrorism

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Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Americans overwhelmingly want the federal government to have more authority to check out terrorist groups, according to a CBS news poll released Tuesday.

[...]

As an antidote, 80 percent believe the federal government should have more power to investigate terrorists, but just 52 percent believe wiretaps should be expanded.

Three out of five said they still favor giving the government more power even if that meant groups unrelated to terrorism were investigated, too.

Even if it cost more, nearly nine out of 10 people surveyed want more security checkpoints, guards and metal detectors -- and they'd be willing to wait longer in lines -- at public events.