Our powerful and snoopy government knows where you shop, knows what you like, knows what internet sites you surf, and anything else you leave a record of.
Buy something with you credit? There's a record. Make a cell phone call? There's a record. In 2011, law enforcement made 1.3 million requests for cell phone information. Do a Google search. There's a record. In 2012, Google received 16,407 user data requests involving 31,072 users from the U.S. government. Google granted about 90 percent of those requests. Send an email? There's a record. Regarding Outlook/Hotmail e-mail service, Microsoft received 11,073 requests involving 24,565 users. Microsoft granted, at least partially, 65 percent of those requests. Also, the government can get your email with a warrant.
Our government promises that they only obtain information regarding suspected terrorists. Why should we trust that at face value? Since when has the government always told the truth? Last Wednesday, Gen. Keith Alexander, head of the National Security Agency, said, "I want the American people to know that we're trying to be transparent here, protect civil liberties and privacy but also the security of this country." He also admitted that our government can look at many tings, including phone records, and Google searches.
They also can utilize the vast cameras on our streets and used by corporations. Scarier yet, they are now approving drones. It is estimated that there will be over 30,000 drones in the United States, watching over us in 20 years.
While some people don't mind, citizens concerned with our Constitution, privacy, and our civil liberties do care. As a Missouri and Kansas attorney who sees what the government does on a regular basis, I am concerned. But then again, us pesky lawyers like to try to keep the government in check.