Following the Terrorist attack on $9/11,$ the federal government passed the "Patriot Act" which, inter$-$alia, allows federal agencies to gather data and $\text{'}$spy$\text{'}$ on American citizens. The Transportation Security Administration $($TSA$)$ now screens air and rail passengers with modern privacy$-$invasive technology. Today, in the wake of COVID$-19,$ federal, state, and local politicians issue 'executive orders' closing businesses, demanding citizens stay home and requiring face masks to be worn $--$ all in the name of public health and safety. Has over$-$hyped fear and the desire for safety convinced a majority of American citizens to simply surrender their liberties $--$ guaranteed by the US Constitution $--$ in order to feel safe? Are bureaucrats taking advantage of the lack of public resistance? Can there ever truly be an acceptable balance between liberty and security? Discuss.