On Mon, Jul 28, 2014 at 12:07 PM, John Kelsey wrote:

On the other hand, mass surveillance is one of those issues that gets a very strong consensus among the people at the top, regardless of their political party--even if the public as a whole doesn't like the idea

This is because they are in fear of the people. So they feel the need to mass surveil them in order to stay on top of potential issues with their position that could lead to, ultimately, revolt. Why are they in fear? Because they are doing wrong, if not for their own individual selves, for the collective power at the top. Any true servant of the people will have no such fear or need because no one can point any finger at them... they serve, they do not rule.

if both big parties' leadership supports it, who are you going to vote for, to register your disagreement?

You will never, ever, under any circumstance, vote for (in the US) either of the two parties so long as they continually play into an effective one party system. You will only vote for other third and further parties, and rarely choose incumbents among such, unless they are shown to serve the people. You will not fail to vote such thirds unless there is no third candidate. A vote for Dem/Rep (in US) is an obviously wasted vote supporting maintenance of power, the effective 'one party' system... not servants.

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Here in the USA people are convinced that dangerous criminals are lurking behind every corner

I don't think this is quite right. Media focus on fear and outrage because they sell papers and draw eyeballs, and they're easy to do.

It is exactly right. Only reason media focus wins is because sheep eyeballs believe and flock to it. It is self reinforcing. Media is especially guilty of choosing to profiteer from these sheep rather than pursue real journalism. You must break that bullshit feedback loop. Hope and Change... lol.