Why shouldn't the government spy on people?
537431
I totally agree! If you have nothing to hide, why worry? \n\nIf it will get terrorist caught, drug dealers brought down, child predators put away, rapist thrown behind bars, etc.\n\nWhat a wonderful world it would be..\n\nPersonally, I thought the CIA flagged calls from terrorist all along! I was so surprised to find out that it wasn't so. I feel much safer knowing that this is being done now... Maybe that is why we haven't had another 911.
850640
yes they do have more power than they advertise. since 9-11 the government has passed things such as "The Patriot Act" and "terror Watch". Terror Watch allows the government to essentially spy on law abiding citizens when that is forbidden in the constitution. The Patriot Act allows the government to tap phone lines and check phone records on again law abiding citizens and the ability to search        cars,homes and businesses without a warrent which is also contradictory to the writting of the constitution.
930236
Spied upon? The US must maintain a due diligence against all enemies foreign and domestic. We thus must allow law enforcement certain privileges to protect all of us. If you aren't doing anything wrong you have nothing to worry about.
111566
I think this is misunderstood. Please have this irrational fear of "Big Brother" Which is crazy. Why would the government want to listen to everyones conversations anyway? It is ridiculous that people get all worked up over this. I say people who have nothing to hide hide nothing. I just want to be safe like you. If you are more interested in this topic you should check out the book "Shadow War" It really explains a lot of the secretive things Bush has done to keep this country safe.
1129699
Politics! They need our trust so they can stay rich and in power. They can abuse our trust because we allow them too. Things can be done, but what are you doing about it? It is one thing in government that is fairly simple. They really don't need our trust, they need us not to think!
1087299
Simple answer\n\nIt allows government intrusion in to the private lives of citizens in order to 'protect' us from terrorists.  It is the first step to totalitarian government.
63970
You have a very good point and for all i know you could be the very person you are talking about. If i was the NSA i think i would be asking that very same question. They probably are reading this. But  I think we have the right to our own opinion and i dont think my opinion about the goverments going to change anytime soon. I would tell them too that they could be doing better things with there money, than spying on me or you.
7429
Seriously we don't. The Gov. been into our freedom long before the Patriot Act., to know our every move all they need is our SS# ( I remember when this was only used to get a job, now you better know it without looking at it or you're not who you say you are).  Congress knowing this and to (as if they were doing us a favor) look good denied the extention.
1260
The government should have the right to observe citizens. The NSA's mission is just that: to observe electronically criminal and terrorist interests. It is largely unlikely that a Big Brother society will develop as a result of this: the government will never have enough resources to listen in on everyone, nor would they want to. \n\nElectronic bugging has caught many criminals where standard investigations failed. These men include John Gotti, other Mafia dons, terrorists, and organized crime rings. It is an essential part of law enforcement and must continue.
862494
In Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia citizens were urged to spy on each other.  Children were told to inform on their parents.  This sounds like the same thing.\nAMERIKA ERWACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1136507
In a way, both yes and no.  It gives the government far greater leeway in how/when they can watch someone without a warrant.  In some cases, that prevents people from knowing they're suspected.  In other cases, the warrant would be kept a secret anyway, so the person really knows no difference.
733035
The FISA courts can't keep up with the real-time flow of actionable intelligence.\n\nThis is why the NSA's monitoring program is so vital
461413
why not ? there is only politics of politicions that create probelms so that their falts remain be hidden.
832868
To keep the People safe from their own government.
160533
Yeah, it allows other companies to spy into where you go on the internet.  It is an invasion of privacy.
78299
I would agree on the 1st answer...\n\nIt is called privacy on their part... Why? They want a security from people who would do pranks and other stuffs...
675358
It's very insecure, they need to update that practice. However, you need to consider that An awful lot of the security measures you see in everyday life are \nnot being done by institutions because they are terribly effective, \nbut because they need to be seen to be doing something