If the government doesn't monitor all communications how do they pre-empt terroists?

Patriot act. Easiest way to take away rights ever.

It's not just the "what" that is the issue...it is the "why" and "how."

What I mean is this: Why were the records of EVERY user needed? How can the Administration justify demanding ALL phone records for ALL Verizon users. How does that indicate that a targeted, focused investigation was taking place?

Please read the news...they didn't just as for access to all records... they asked for ALL RECORDS.

This leaves the door open to the possibility that something OTHER than national security was in play... You know, just like how something OTHER than tax collection was ALREADY PROVEN to be going on at the IRS..

Show me a government that monitors all communications and I'll show you a hard-line, totalitarian State in the tradition of the old days of the Soviet Union or it's satellites.

They use other means. It would be easier to scrap the constitution and put cameras in every house. The top priority in the USA isn't making detective work easy for the state. It's supposed to be about protecting freedom and having a free society.

How about bringing our troops home to seal our borders, this will stop trafficking of guns, drugs, and illegals from getting into the USA.

Personally, I have no problem with them monitoring my boring communications if it will help stop terrorism.

They need to stop all terrorist attacks, but also do it in a way that doesn't pose a potential inconvenience to me.