PUBLISHED: Case shows dangers of power

[Link to published letter]

The federal government recently argued before the Supreme Court that it can be trusted not to abuse its new, unchecked powers to investigate and detain citizens. At about the same time, it began conducting secret searches of Brandon Mayfield’s home. Then it arrested him and held him without charges for two weeks, his property (and even his child’s homework) was seized, his business was left to flounder, and his mouth was gagged while the government publicly stated its "case" against him.

I can’t think of a more vivid example of why we need to restrain the government’s power: not only to guard against its becoming oppressive, but also because sometimes it simply makes mistakes.