Would someone please explain how some of the factions we fight outside of the borg space are also within borg space when the only way INTO the territory was through the transwerp gate... which is something that most factions should NOT have access to:

Orion Syndicate
Nassicuans
Romulans

And a few others that I can't spell properly, I've even ran into a Cardassian once...

But, what's worse, is that when we encounter Species 8472 or the Borg, we are 'Given Authorization to open fire due to hostile act'.... SAY WHAT?! Why do we need permission to fire on two factions that are openly hostile?