I believe that abuse of power in general, and illicit surveillance in particular, is nothing new, especially for the United States. This does not make any of it kosher of course.

But in an age where the courts can literally, retroactively re-write the laws to serve their own interests, protests and petitions are as evocative as a breeze.

I suspect that portions of every generation feels that things will get worse before it gets better. I believe that other portions of every generation believe theirs to be the ultimate showdown, the Armageddon. All said, I don't see how we can be backed any further into a corner. I've been running daily news aggregation articles at my website:

http://thelotteryparty.com/

And every day's post makes me feel more and more like a sadomasochist. I see no easy solutions. I think we will all need to go without many things that we've been taking for granted, before life will look anymore hopeful for future generations, even the next generation.

Edit to add: I have not had a bank account since the big bailout of '07, and have never owned a credit card. I pay only sales taxes. I do not vote. I boycott freely and widely. These and other small battles make for a truly awkward lifestyle, but I think it the best way to buck the system- by not enabling any of it. Take the power away from the Powers That Be. The People own the gov.