So you don't mind that the federal government (through the NSA) has developed a massive set of interconnected, searchable databases that include everything electronic about your life?
Suppose, through some little thing, like a loved one breaking up with a lover who has access to the database, or through an apparently minor traffic incident that angers someone who has access, someone decides to harass YOU? They have enough information to just be annoying, or to destroy your life.
They can file complaints with government agencies based on something they found in their search on you; they know where you live, so they can anonymously report that you are a danger; with your email address they can intercept your ordinary messages to your family and friend and change the content of the messages before they are received.
All that kind of stuff is going on all the time now, and not just for stopping terrorism, but for the pettiest of reasons, because they are just ordinary people, who do things just because they can. Just like the plow truck that you may have annoyed who now plows your driveway shut over and over...
You may want to actually read all of Edward Snowden's book - it's appalling. And he did what he did because he was appalled both at what they were doing, and at how they where lying to everyone (including congress) about it. They claim this authority under the Patriot Act in their secret court.
When Hussian disparaged US data gathering on citizens he said something to the effect that “no one is sitting around reading your emails and texts.
He is factually correct. All data is streamed through software for trigger points, ie certain words or patterns that have been determined to be problematic. Those flagged are looked at closely . Then all the information is stored. And can be brought if you are ever in the government’s sights. For whatever reason. All the information is there if they want it. And since they have the information they can massage it and manipulate it if need be. That is why I believe nothing any more that are accusations by the government.