Most people are not that worried about me eavesdropping on half of their cellphone conversation (I wish they were, then they might STFU) or watching them walk from their car to the mall. They probably wouldn't even care if I spied on their banking details as long as I didn't buy stuff with their CC.

On the other hand, most people would be bothered if I touched their balls or viewed nude pictures of them on my computer.

Apparently some people feel similarly about homeland security doing these things.

This is just my opinion, and I'd love to hear whether people agree or disagree with it.

I think part of the reason for the lack of outrage over The Patriot Act was the timing. When the Patriot Act was created, it was a short enough time after 9/11 that the US was still strongly emotionally effected by it. It was easier to say "This will prevent terrorism" and be believed.

Years later, it's become easier to take a rational look at the risks and benefits, and see that it's unlikely that such measures will prevent enough terrorism to outweigh the costs.

This is easy: Most people don't and will never directly feel the consequences of that stuff. Millions of people fly every day and directly experience the TSA nonsense.