This is true, of course. The dominant power never legislates against its own self interest. And so many of the darkest parts of human history were done legally.

This is true, of course. The dominant power never legislates against its own self interest. And so many of the darkest parts of human history were done legally. The real issue here goes deeper than the law. The thing is, not many people believe a word the government says any-more. This is the government that doesn't "collect" any information on their citizens, doesn't "torture" anyone and so on. The government can make any promises it wants, with no intention of fulfilling them, then claim that the meanings of the words are not what you think they are, but the real meanings are secret, and why they're secret, is secret, and no one can ever know the true meaning lest we all be killed by terrorists. And isn't it funny that the government can't seem to bring itself to find this pen-register information development fee, but there seems to be an infinite line of deficit spending for all kinds of corporate subsidies, bank bailouts, spying equipment and wedding killing drones. The lawyers may argue and the courts may rule, but at the end of the day the core of this apple is rotten. And there's worms in it. Take a bite. It tastes like "freedom".