As a concerned American, I urge all persons who are concerned about the Patriot Act to voice opposition to making this act permanent in its present and flawed form. It must be brought into line with the Constitution by including appropriate checks and balances to prevent abuse.

This act was passed without proper debate in the harrowing days after Sept. 11. Many members of Congress had too little idea of the content when they voted for it. Now, we have a golden opportunity to revisit the act, fix it as needed, and ensure that our law enforcement and intelligence services have their needed tools – subject to appropriate judicial and congressional oversight.

Many of us are worried about what may happen to our privacy if it is not fixed. The government already has unprecedented broad powers to secretly search our homes and not tell us for months. It is far too easy for the government to gain access without any facts connecting our records to a foreign terrorist. We should support SAFE Act amendments to any reauthorization and prevent the Patriot Act from permanence.

Richard D.Sampson, Lewiston