Data collection isn't the real issue. The question is how much data should be collected and whose data? We have Constitutional protections on unreasonable search and seizure. NSA is engaged in a huge dragnet encompassing phone records, credit card usage, and other personal information. They hold the data I presume for a very long time. It can be mined in the future for whatever purpose the government wants with our only protection being a secret court that acts as a rubber stamp.
Data collection sounds innocuous, but it can be the tool for a police state and tyranny. The people should have a say on what data is collected and what purposes it will be used for. Does "data collection" represent a more serious threat to our security and individual liberties than the terrorists? Does it pass Constitutional muster?
The best way to curb abuses of the system is to change and limit the system.
No doubt.
But compare the data that we believe NSA is collecting. In the case of the phone companies I'm betting that data is:
Calling phone number
Receiving phone number
Call duration
Call date and time
We have been told today by several of the talking heads that the phone data does not include names. Is that true? Who knows for sure but that comment was made more than once.
Now compare that to what the IRS knows about you and your personal life. There is, in fact no comparison. The IRS and the IRS-Obamacare Branch will know more about you than your mother. We gave up the right to privacy over 100 years ago. NSA is a nit compared to the IRS.
We are taking our eyes off the ball and that was the probably the plan. Note that we aren't talking much about the real Obama Scandals this week and we are seeing Obama defended by leading Republicans some of whom can in no way be classified as RINOs.
I'd rather be talking about the IRS abuses myself.
I continue to preach caution.
The only data mining I ever heard of that sounded reasonable to me was what Col. Tony Shaffer did.