As a reliable Libertarian, I feel that the other two major parties both want to control my life and tell me what to do.  The only difference between the parties is what they'd force me to do, and how they'd force me to do it.  I've discussed before how the method of force preferred by the Democratic party is climate change.  The preferred vehicle for the Republican party is terrorism.

From the Patriot Act to Domestic Spying... already much of our lives are changing and government is inserting itself more and more, utilizing "terrorism" as the reason for it all.  The UK is now proposing the most comprehensive change in this direction... when will Republicans suggest the same thing?

Ministers are to consider plans for a database of electronic information holding details of every phone call and e-mail sent in the UK, it has emerged.

The plans, reported in the Times, are at an early stage and may be included in the draft Communications Bill later this year, the Home Office confirmed.

A Home Office spokesman said the data was a "crucial tool" for protecting national security and preventing crime.
...
The spokesman said changes need to be made to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 "to ensure that public authorities can continue to obtain and have access to communications data essential for counter-terrorism and investigation of crime purposes".

Here are a few more details:

A massive government database holding details of every phone call, e-mail and time spent on the internet by the public is being planned as part of the fight against crime and terrorism. Internet service providers (ISPs) and telecoms companies would hand over the records to the Home Office under plans put forward by officials.

The information would be held for at least 12 months and the police and security services would be able to access it if given permission from the courts.

Because as we know, the courts are a great shield against our rights... and the government never loses data that it's entrusted with... nor does it sneak into databases that it shouldn't without a court order.  Of course I'm sure there are some Republican Party supporters who would stand behind George Bush if he made such a proposal... but would you stand by Hillary or Obama if they made the exact same proposal?

Via Schneier on Security.