Hang on, didnt this start with Clinton, then get widened with each president? If so, then the NSA have been doing what the political establishments wanted, backed by the democratic votes of American people.
What I don't like about this is the voters pretending they had nothing to do with it, when their votes endorse each president, and both houses. You cant run from responsibility in a democracy. Americans need to wake up and smell the BS. If grass roots money was enough to get Obama to the top job, which we are led to believe, then grass roots can create a new party.
But frankly, I know this will never happen, because when you get down to it, most people are safe enough, employed enough, fed enough and distracted enough, and will there for never risk losing that for a sort of political revolution. Why risk it?
UK wise, on one gives a toss in any way shape or form really. The apathy is stunning. Yeah, it gets a mention in the press, and there has been a bit of tokenistic questioning in parliament, but basically, its a non issue.
Personally, I find the whole thing depressing. What scares me is wondering how far things do have to go until people revolt, and how many have to suffer before that happens. I think one of the cynical calculations in all this is that these governments have worked out that if only a few people, preferably foreigners, suffer as a result, they will get away with it. So be as bad as you like, just keep the numbers down and try not to make it effect the voters much.