If the NSA were a noble creature, we could rest easy.

There is no nobility in our governments though. No grace. They'll often trade data, up and down, with local governments, and the local governments can benefit from that federal warrantless data.

When the state of Arizona sweeps up all the non-licensed manicurists in Phoenix, and you're wondering "How the hell did Sheriff Billy Bob know about all these people..."

When you hear that really bad people will only be the targets of 4th amendment violations, don't be naive. Don't believe a word of it. And don't forget that government finds low hanging fruit absolutely delicious. "Look at what we got done." -says some random bureaucrat. While collecting some of the fattest pensions this side of the industrial revolution.