Barack Obama

It strikes me a little odd that people are reacting about generic data research while the government is getting a lot more nosey about every financial transaction. Also the internet follows you around with creepy ads that show they know exactly what you are looking at, so it seems like they should be outraged at other things that are a lot more intrusive.

I would like to see more transparency.

What I am afraid of is that we are adding layers and layers of activity that have questionable efficacy. The terrorists are very flexible and change their tactics once they know our actions. For example they are not going to use shoe bombs again but millions of people every day are stuck taking off their shoes.

We are still making tanks that fit a WWII military strategy and it is wasted money. I suspect that the PRISM operations were, at one time, effective but are now just part of a large and very expensive overhead with questionable efficacy.

I also suspect that some of these things remain in place because of the Republicans insanity on Benghazi and the President wants to focus on getting things passed, like immigration reform and doesn't take on some of these other issues because he needs to pass important legislation that really effects peoples lives.

So I don't mind people getting upset and wanting more information. It may be helpful to the President in his maneuvering with the Republicans.

As for the American people, they are not really engaged in the issue as far as I can tell.

If people want more change then we are going to have to win the off term elections and Democrats just don't get out and vote like Republicans do in off term elections.