What are the benefits of the US Patriot Act?

Answer 1

This is a highly contentious issue and opinions will vary. A lot depends upon whether a person's philosophical orientation is individualistic/libertarian or collectivistic/authoritarian.

To name the only positive that I am aware would be claimed, it may have resulted in some people not attacking us who otherwise would have. In fact, I think - while not liking the act - that it probably has deterred at least one amateur.

The opposite opinion would be that even if it did deter an attack or attacks, it comes at a cost that is higher than we may care to pay down the road. And that we might have been able to reduce attacks simply by changing some of our more controversial foreign policies.