The irony is, all this snooping may not really be necessary. These days, Americans can’t expose themselves enough: Their smartphones constantly broadcast their whereabouts to law enforcement, while millions cheerfully post intimate personal details and embarrassing photographs of themselves and their families on social media.

The fact is, privacy has become a thing of the past, destroyed by the rise of information technology, the force of government, and the willing surrender of the citizenry.

But how many Americans’ hands are pausing over a keyboard these days, wondering if posting their opinion over Facebook isn’t putting themselves at risk?

The NSA revelations and the IRS scandal have sent a chill through freedom of speech and expression in this country.

“Trust us” cannot be the answer.