Great point. Agencies no long just execute the programs, they define them and serve as their own watchdogs. That is exactly what is going on.
A little off topic, but here is a great example:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/22/nsa-surveillance-review-panel-insiders
“Review of US surveillance programs to be led by panel of intelligence insiders...
List of apparent panel members prompts criticism among privacy advocates after Obama promised ‘independent’ review”