Is the PATRIOT Act a Conservative idea?

[futurepres]

Title says it all.

[Big Wiggly Style]

Not traditionally Conservative, no.

[Governor Scott]

Certainly not what I'd consider a liberal idea.

[realisticidealist]

You'll have to define "conservative" first.

[shua]

It is a reactionary idea, a reaction against a certain thing to make sure that thing never happens again. That's the case with most laws. Such laws tend to dismantle established liberties, and in that sense are unconservative. But a conservative might support it in spite of this for the sake of some greater good.

[angus]

It is a reactionary idea

I think that's right.  Reactionary is probably a better adjective here than conservative (or liberal). 

Anyway, I voted no.

[CelticHoosier1993]

It's one of those issues that both Party leader's seem comfortable supporting. I wouldn't see it as conservative if conservatism values small government that doesn't invade a citizen's private life.

[Redalgo]

The PATRIOT Act was not a conservative idea until it was enacted, at which point it became a conventional stance. That does not really mean a "true" conservative must support it though.

[ChairmanSanchez]

Not traditionally Conservative, no.

[Χahar]

Insofar as it is associated with Conservatism (and it is), the answer is yes.

[InsaneTrollLogic]

Its a Nationalist idea...

[Big Wiggly Style]

Its a Nationalist idea...

Yep.

[Is Totally Not Feeblepizza.]

I don't know. Whatever it is, it's a bad idea.

[Grumps]

I don't know. Whatever it is, it's a bad idea.

Bush's greatest crime against humanity.

[I left.]

I don't know. Whatever it is, it's a bad idea.

Bush's greatest crime against humanity.

I dunno...I think there were probably worse ones....

[Grumps]

I don't know. Whatever it is, it's a bad idea.

Bush's greatest crime against humanity.

I dunno...I think there were probably worse ones....

None piss me off more, then

[pillage the village, trash the scene]

Not traditionally Conservative, no.

[Zach Vega]

It's certainly not conservative, bur it's certainly not a liberal idea either. It's like a watchdawg thing.

[InsaneTrollLogic]

Its a Nationalist idea...

Yep.

I would go so far to say its a right-wing thing, but it could be a left-wing thing too. Definitely an illiberal thing.

I mean, you have to understand that even American Liberalism != Left-Wing. American liberalism is about standing up to the man and using Uncle Sam as the referee and traditional Liberalism is standing up to the man and having no referee because Uncle Sam is one of "the men" , Left-Wing ideology is  about standing up to the man by replacing the "man" with  Rosie O Donnell. ...and for a reference, conservatism is about not giving a phuck that you are being kept down by the man because you wouldn't be able to make it without him and Right-Wing ideology is about "the man" being "the man".

[I Can't Get That Sound You Make, Out Of My Head]

No.

Isn't liberal though.

[Tidewater_Wave]

No it's not. There are parts I like but to combine all that together does not sound like something the party I belong to would or should do even though they did in 2003. At the time it sounded like a good idea and it hasn't been abused but there are too many loopholes in it that have the possibility to lead to an infringement of our liberties. I'd vote for and support a reformed Patriot Act but not the original.