Renewing the Patriot Act and other such laws is easily explained by self-interest. Renewal: The best case is it foils a terrorist attack. The worst case (Snowd

Renewing the Patriot Act and other such laws is easily explained by self-interest. Renewal: The best case is it foils a terrorist attack. The worst case (Snowden) has already occurred. Nonrenewal: The best case is no terrorist attacks. The worst case is a terrorist attack that may have been prevented with Patriot Act level wiretapping. No one wants to be blamed for a terrorist attack at the next election so the Patriot Act is renewed.