Even the capability of mass surveillance means that the public can be abused by the powers that be without much worry of backlash. It takes fear of the public o

Even the capability of mass surveillance means that the public can be abused by the powers that be without much worry of backlash. It takes fear of the public out of the policy making equation, along with having a chilling effect. I don't think a representative democracy is really representative or a democracy anymore with a power imbalance that steep. Nevermind Citizens United.