Adam appears to be of the opinion that we are a democracy...technically, we are a representative republic. A minor quibble, perhaps, but it leads to larger issues. The entire purpose of the structure of our government (seperation of powers, varied election schedules, powers reserved to the states, the bill of rights and so forth) is to prevent the suppression of the rights of a minority by the majority. At least, that is the ideal! Guarantees of freedom are not required for popular positions. Is freedom of the press required for journals extolling the "lovely weather here in our most perfect of all possible worlds!"? Hardly. Such things could be safely written in the most authoritarian society. The majority of the people in the projects wants warrantless searches....it seems so very reasonable to say, ok, the gangs are out of control, the majority wants these searches, lets just go ahead! But, remember, you still have a minority of people who *_don't_* want these searches and seizures. Are we, in the name of expediency, to abandon the rights of this minority? A minority neither of race nor of money, but of opinion? If the majority of people decide that ownership of firearms is counter to the interests of society, will we take away this option? If the majority feels that safety will be enhanced, are we to be required to carry "papers" everywhere? This is a slippery path...if the same majority decides that decent people don't need privacy, then the days of the Clipper debates will remind us of what we have lost. Let's really bring this home...if society decides that "old people", say those over 75, cost too much to keep alive, will we let the same majority invoke forced euthanasia? Why not, the *_majority_* is all for it! No Adam, I'm not accusing you of anything, save the most terrible action of all...the willing subordination of liberty for an elusive safety that probably won't come anyway. Keep in mind that there are antisocial acts even in totalitarian states. And, if the North Koreas of the world have less gang violence...are we ready for such a trade? Again, the elimination of hard won freedoms is a terrible price. I predict that within a decade we will all regret the first step we take toward abolishing the rights our founders willingly gave their all to win. regards....