Voters like to be monitored...

Those that follow my comments here, and on other blogs, know that I at times wage a battle of logic against the illogic of the left.  In fact, I find it amusing that I am so often called names, when I employ their tactics against themselves (for reference to this, go read some of the comment battles at The Lobby.)

One of the on-going battles from the left is the sense that Americans are outraged at the government's apparent monitoring of our lives.  The self-absorbed left somehow believes that the US government is actually so interested in the mundane aspects of our daily lives that they listen to us, and track information about us, and our "normal" conversations.  The left seems to think that most Americans would rise up against such government monitoring, even though the monitoring is done in the interest of national security, and thus, the safety of our populace.

Well, I for one wouldn't want to extrapolate too far, or draw too many generalizable conclusions about these views from just one election, but I do find the situation in Philadelphia interesting.  Today, Tuesday, 16 May 2006, Pennsylvania (my once and future home) held their primary elections.  While there were many outcomes that may take the headlines, including the ouster of several incumbents, the silent yet critical news story may be about the referendum.  Yes, THE referendum.  The Associated Press ran a story (found at mcall.com) that said:

 As police warn of a rising tide of gun violence, voters this week will get a chance to weigh in on whether Philadelphia should become the next big city to add public surveillance cameras to its crime-fighting arsenal.

A referendum on the ballot in Tuesday's primary will ask voters whether they think the city's charter should be amended to allow officials to use video surveillance to ''fight crime and violence'' in a way that ''protects civil liberties and legitimate privacy interests.''

As of this moment, reports are that the city, a city (like so many other cities around the nation) dominated by the left and the Democrats, has voted overwhelmingly to allow video surveillance.

The outcome, as listed at Phlly.com, at this time, is:

Referendum - Video Surveillance - Ballot Issue

Philadelphia, 1543 of 1681 Precincts Reporting - 91.79%

Name Votes Pct Yes 62,518 79.12 No 16,498 20.88

Note, this is with nearly 92% of the votes counted.  Assuming every remaining vote goes against the ballot, those rougly 8,000 votes wouldn't be enough to stop it.

Yes, Philiadelphia has voted to allow their government to monitor their activities, and record them, to provide a sense of security.  They are sacrificing security over privacy and personal rights.

Actually, I would be more opposed to this, than even the NSA listening.  Partly because of my libertarian leanings, but also because a local law enforcement officer is more likely to have personal connections with the individuals monitored, and thus the potential is far greater for personal malfeasance.

Yup.  The left likes to whine and complain about the Republicans and the Right.  They like to scream about individual rights, but put their own lives at risk and they give up those rights faster than Kennedy grabs a whisky bottle.