The highly sophisticated and complex Big Brother security apparatus known as the PATRIOT Act was extended for another 4 years – signed into law minutes before midnight last night by…a machine. At the authorization of the President who is currently in France – an autopen machine was used that holds a pen and signs the President’s exact signature. Hysterics in Congress said it was crucial to have the bill signed into law before midnight or else the PATRIOT Act would have expired – halting all the ongoing unconstitutional actions of our various police and spy agencies into your and my life.

Rand Paul – the one man standing in the way of an extension all week – gave up his fight after two of his amendments to reign in the power of the federal government were defeated on the Senate floor. At some point in the last 10 years since 9/11 – the PATRIOT Act has become a staple in America – with politicians on both sides of the aisle supporting it – as well as a plurality of Americans.

It just goes to show how quickly our freedoms can be eroded – and how quickly we can all get used to it. Somewhere – James Madison – the father of our constitution – must be horrified with the direction our nation is headed.