Correction-
They don't spy on everybody. The thought is a gross absurdity.
And they also share the data with other allies like Canada, the UK, New Zealand and a host of others.
Intelligence gathering is by itself an intrusive activity.
This "intrusion" is not a violation of your right to privacy.
In almost all situations the overview of the data is done by computer. It is quite impossible for human beings to overview hundreds of millions of data streams every day.
Nobody cares if you like to watch gophers have sex in the middle of Broadway or if you are a necrophiliac.
Sharing information with a friend and ally is not a perversion of American sovereignty, but rather an attempt to expand protection.
I see speed cameras and red light cameras as more of an intrustion than what the NSA performs.
Anyplace on this planet where there is electromagnetic data available, the NSA is apt to monitor it. It makes sense. It protects us. It definitely enhances the national security.
It is clearly a function of government to collect data, to spy, and to eavesdrop.
I am quite confident that watering your lawn on a prohibited day will not get G-Men spying on your greenery or going through your garbage.
The greater danger, and the one being addressed by the NSA are those people on the planet who want to do us harm. The NSA isn't targeting John Smith in Des Moines. Unless John is sending emails to South Yemen perhaps.
And of course your so-called "right to privacy" is not as self-evident as you possibly believe.
Justice Brandeis covered the concept in depth throughout his career.
Interesting article on The Right to Privacy at wikipedia.
The ability to hide data and the ability to detect it have morphed over the past 100 years to an incredible degree.
The government is at a distinct disadvantage trying to protect us. We need more security. Not less.
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