I just read this post about police power, and in large part because of its Andy Griffith theme, I couldn’t help but be reminded of this, even though it’s not entirely related (it discusses what was considered “conservative” 40 years ago versus today).

Getting back to Tam’s post, while I’m not normally inclined to agree with about much of anything, I think that this is one of those areas where left-leaning types like me and libertarian-leaning types like her can find quite a bit of common ground.  Xrlq’s protestations to the contrary aside, it has almost exclusively been the modern conservative movement that has moved us toward this sort of authoritarian government and sought to massively expand police powers, while seriously diminishing oversight.  I’d expect most Americans — left, right, and center — to be able to agree that this is a Bad Thing.  I’d argue that it’s mostly the moralistic, “religious right” Southern conservatives, with a healthy assist from the neo-cons, who are responsible for this authoritarian turn.

As for what to do about it, Tam hits on something here:

I don’t care if Johnny Law has a scary looking assault rifle. Heck, I have one, so why shouldn’t he? What I worry about is writing him a job description that makes it necessary to use the thing so much. We need to seriously re-think what constitutes an acceptable reason to send a policeman crashing through a door, rather than send him crashing through that door armed only with a nightstick and a whistle.

I’d take this one step further.  I’d demand harsh punishments for those who overstep their bounds and abuse the powerful and potentially dangerous tools with which we’ve entrusted them.  And I’d not limit that responsibility to those who executed the abusive raid; indeed, it’s the person who authorized it who must be held most responsible.

But I’m curious to know how peope from across the political spectrum feel about this, and what they think ought to be done about it.

H/T:  SayUncle