No, billionaires pouring money into politics is not a good thing, but it is the status quo. As long as it's the status quo, I'd like to see that money being used to oppose autocracy. But I'd be happier to see money out of politics entirely.

And I really don't think there's been a 180 on surveillance. I think the only people who were supporting the surveillance apparatus were the same people of an authoritarian bent who are now supporting Trump.

You are seeing ideological inconsistency where there is none in an effort to make your political opponents appear as hypocrites.