Tax Dollars and Surveillance: The High Cost of Freedom?

Amara Malik

How much of the hard-earned money of American citizens is given to the U.S. government annually? Are the people of America aware of how the government allocates tax monies to different services and programmes? Are they aware that a surveillance state that infringes on their rights and liberties receives substantial funding from taxes? Americans are funding their enslavement.

What is a surveillance state, and why should someone care?

A government that tracks, investigates, and gathers information on its people without their knowledge or agreement is known as a surveillance state. Infringing on residents’ privacy and autonomy while undermining the democratic ideals and values of the country, the surveillance state seeks to control and manipulate people’s conduct, ideas, and views.

One should care about the surveillance state because it affects one’s life in many ways. The surveillance state can:

1. Invade one’s personal space and intimate relationships
2. Expose sensitive and confidential information
3. Exploit vulnerabilities and weaknesses
4. Manipulate preferences and choices
5. Influence beliefs and attitudes
6. Suppress dissent and opposition
7. Threaten safety and security
8. Endanger rights and freedoms

How does the U.S. government use taxes to build a surveillance state?

The United States government uses several methods, including sales taxes, payroll taxes, income taxes, property taxes, and others, to levy taxes on its residents. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the federal government’s revenue for the 2020 fiscal year was nearly $3.5 trillion. In addition, the federal government spent over $6.6 trillion //in that same year, leaving a $3.1 trillion deficit. Thus, the federal government uses the money **you pay taxes for various services and initiatives, including infrastructure, social security, health care, and education. However, departments like the military, homeland security, and law enforcement that deal with national security, defence, and intelligence also get a sizable portion of tax revenue. In fiscal year 2020, the federal government committed around $740 billion for the national military, $51 billion for homeland security, and $32 billion for justice, as the Office of Management and Budget reported.

These areas account for 24% of all government revenues and 12% of all federal spending. Civil rights are being undermined, and the surveillance state is growing thanks to these budget areas. The U.S. government uses this funding to develop and implement techniques and technology, such as cameras, drones, face recognition, biometrics, phone tapping, internet surveillance, and others, that allow it to track, monitor, and gather data on its population. Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other organizations that violate people’s constitutional rights and safeguards are supported and run by the U.S. government using these funds in question. 

How does the surveillance state infringe on one’s rights and freedoms?

The surveillance state violates one’s rights and freedoms in several ways. The Fourth Amendment, which shields people from arbitrary searches and seizures, is broken by a monitoring state. Without a warrant or solid reason, it surveils the messages of its citizens, whereabouts, and activities in bulk. Furthermore, it gathers, saves, and distributes their personal information with third parties without your knowledge or approval, all without their consent or supervision.

Additionally, the surveillance state violates the First Amendment, which protects their freedom of speech, press, assembly, and petition, since it limits and suppresses their information and expression. The surveillance condition involves keeping an eye on and breaking into their organizations and organizations. It intimidates and taunts their petitions and marches as well. Consequently, the thoughts and views of American citizens are manipulated and influenced by the surveillance state. A person’s right to a fair and impartial trial is further protected by the Due Process Clause, which the surveillance state violates. Courts and classified evidence are used to prosecute and condemn them. They cannot obtain legal advice or representation under the surveillance state. People are deprived of their life, liberty, and property without following the required legal procedures by the surveillance state, which also subjects them to torture and indefinite confinement.

How does the surveillance state undermine the democratic principles and values of the nation?

In many respects, the nation’s democratic ideals and principles are compromised by the surveillance state. For example, the separation of powers and the checks and balances that are fundamental to a robust democracy are compromised by the surveillance state. It undermines the legislative and judicial branches and concentrates power and authority in the executive branch. The laws and rules that restrict and govern the activities of the surveillance state are circumvented and overridden, and they function in secret with no accountability or transparency. The surveillance state likewise weakens the public’s faith in the institutions and the government. It damages the legitimacy and credibility of institutions and the government. It alienates and separates the populace from the institutions and the government, instilling fear, mistrust, and hatred.

Furthermore, such states make it harder for citizens to engage in and participate in social and political activities. It silences and marginalizes citizens who question and criticize its policies and practices, discouraging and preventing them from exercising their rights and obligations. Consequently, it fosters a culture of fear, compliance, and indifference among the populace.

What can one do to resist and challenge the surveillance state?

One can do many things to resist and challenge the surveillance state:

1. Educate oneself and others about the surveillance state and its impacts on your rights and freedoms.
2. Protect privacy and security using encryption, anonymization, and other tools and techniques.
3. Opt out of or limit the use of services and platforms that collect and share your data with the government and third parties.
4. Support and join groups and organizations that advocate and campaign for civil liberties and digital rights
5. Protest and petition against the surveillance state and its policies and practices
6. Vote and lobby for candidates and representatives who oppose and reform the surveillance state and its agencies and programs

Conclusion

Therefore, American citizens are footing the bill for their servitude. Utilizing the money from their taxes, the American government tramples on their liberties and rights in order to establish a surveillance state. Privacy and autonomy are violated, democracy and ideals are undercut, and people’s safety and security are put in jeopardy by the surveillance state. The Citizens of America have the power and the responsibility to resist and challenge the surveillance state. They have the right and the duty to reclaim and defend our liberty and dignity. They have the voice and the choice to shape and change our future. They should not let the surveillance state enslave them. They should not let the government waste their money. They should not let the fear silence them. They should not let the apathy paralyze them. They should stand up and speak out, fight back and take action, be free and be proud, and be a citizen, not an enslaved person.

Researcher, PolicyEast.