We urge President Obama to make sweeping changes to N.S.A. surveillance practices to ensure that Americans' Fourth Amendment rights are protected. We support the meaningful reforms proposed by Ron Wyden (the Senator from Oregon). Specifically:
1) End bulk collection of phone metadata.
2) Reform the e-mail and phone tapping allowed by Section 702.
3) Strengthen oversight of the F.I.S.A. court so that opposing views are presented, and Congress is fully informed.
Intelligence officials have admitted that N.S.A. surveillance has disrupted a mere handful of plots. These practices are not only a shameful waste of taxpayer money, but, more important, create the "architecture of oppression" (per Edward Snowden) that violates the Constitution and undermines our democracy.