Gradual encroachment

To those Democrats who are supposedly going to vote for the FISA compromise that broadens the power of the President to illegally spy on American and possibly grant the telecoms backdoor immunity I offer for consideration this quote from James Madison:

"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations."

Unless you are totally ignorant of American history or in a state of complete denial, I'm sure my point is obvious.