Trust is the central issue, as you are correct that no Snowden leaks have demonstrated illegal activity. Without trust, it's just as easy to argue that the next

Trust is the central issue, as you are correct that no Snowden leaks have demonstrated illegal activity. Without trust, it's just as easy to argue that the next president can use our secret weapons and will only be prevented from starting a nuclear war because of political policies. We trust the government with enormous power (including enough weaponry to destroy the entire planet and enough surveillance to defend our national interests). @mpyne: Thank you for the dose of common sense in what has become an unrecognizable hyperbole circus over the last few weeks.