While there are many legitimate applications for surveillance camera equipment, such as in retail stores, gas stations, nursery monitor and so forth, it's worth taking a look at how far this technology should be pushed. As with much of our modern technology, surveillance camera equipment uses may be easily abused, going over the line between 'keeping an eye' on situations and an outright invasion of privacy.

As in the case of the GPS systems, we were introduced to this technology by the car and cell phone manufacturers. These devices prevented many a dire situation, such as getting lost in a snowstorm on a remote road, with no way to get help. However, now various governments are proposing a mandatory GPS tracking system, so that your every move can be tracked, 24/7.

In the U.K., the British people have already become accustomed to seeing surveillance systems on every corner and light post, with airports and subway stations absolutely riddled with these cameras. Here in the U.S., we're not far behind. It will just take longer to install surveillance systems nationwide, in a country of this size.

Governments around the world now have surveillance camera equipment which can not only take your picture, but perform a process known as 'face matching', all in one procedure. The so called face matching technology in sophisticated surveillance camera equipment takes your picture, while simultaneously marking dozens of points on your face, mapping the precise distance between, say, your eyes, ears and nose to chin. This mapping process is as accurate, or perhaps even more accurate than fingerprints in identifying a specific individual's facial configuration. This data is fed from the surveillance camera system into a global database, making it possible to identify you anywhere in the world. Again, as in the case of a missing child, this can be valuable technology. On the other hand, it starts feeling a bit intrusive when you realize that you might be stopped, anywhere, any time on the basis of data from a face matching surveillance photo.

Recent additions to the Patriot Act and other legislation stipulate that any person convicted of a misdemeanor may be classified as a terrorist! Jaywalking and traffic tickets are misdemeanors.

Along with the surveillance camera equipment technology, we all, as citizens, must consider the overall implications of the coming national identity cards, as well as the RFID chip implants. The RFID chips can apparently contain all of your medical, financial and criminal history, which BTW, includes misdemeanors such as a traffic ticket.

All of these technologies are surveillance systems. While they can indeed, provide protection in a limited number of scenarios, we should be cautious in going over that line, between protection and a complete invasion of our privacy. Instead of adopting the 'Father knows best' mindset, we all should be responsible enough to write our legislators and give them our two cents worth on the subject of all of these surveillance systems. We deserve to have a vote. The Constitution demands it.