what can government gain by spying on (wiretapping) innocent americans?

Question

and im not talking spying on the opposition, just the regular people.

i never said they ARE. im asking what kind of power can it gain.

im glad that you're so passionate about your answeres but AGAIN i NEVER said that the government IS spying on innocent people i asked what would it gain if it was able to.
as in would it change the way people act? would it make them more cautious about what they say?
and gain im not saying that the government is spying on innocent people im saying if.
(i wonder how many times i have to say it before people understand the 'IF' part)

Answer 1

No power or anything else gained by spying on Joe or Judy Blow. Whatever they might want to know about us is already on file somewhere if you're beyond puberty.

Not in answer to your specific question, but all the weeping Willies who wring their hands and wail about wiretapping (spying) on them haven't got a clue about the man hours, equipment, and costs that would be involved in wiretapping or any other kind of invasion of privavcy, and all of it done on the million to one chance that something useful might be picked up. Just 'cause you're paranoic DOESN'T mean the government is out to getcha.

Answer 2

To the people that answered this question attacking the questioner then answering the question is.. uncalled for however, what the government can gain by spying on innocent Americans... Control... absolute control.. you say something bad about the government ect you could be taken away.. since doing a thing like this anyways is unconstitutional if it did happen then the constitution has finally had the last nail it's coffin.

To the people that think there is nothing to gain by spying on your own people.... Are you really that naive to believe that there is no power in spying on people... you are very naive.

Answer 3

Let me ask you a question. Are you one of the people that beleieve a lib when they say that President Bush's tax cuts were for the rich? As on of the middle class citizens that has benefited from the tax cuts not once but twice, I find that assertion to be offensive.
The point is that you as a free thinking person should not accept every single word that comes out of the politicians mouth as truth.
The surveillance is not for "innocent" Americans but for those that conspire against us. You do know that there are hundreds of millions of people in this country and that it would be cost prohibitive not to mention impossible to "wiretap" all of us don't you? Thus, common sense and a modest amount of research (shich you have not done) dictate that the wirtapping is aimed at a much smaller fration of the population.
There is a huge amount of information available to you at your fingertips and it surprises me that you would not avail yourself of it rather than looking for affirmation or support from countless others on Q & A who either know less than you or are so biased as to be unable to give an objective, informed answer to your question. SHAME ON YOU!

Answer 4

the power over your life. your privacy. just the fact that they can do it is a violation of your rights, its scary.

omg there are alot of people here attacking just because of a question. i didnt know there were that many retarded people in this forum. the point is it doesnt matter whether they "do" spy or not, the fact that they "can" and that they passed laws to give them more power over your personal life is the problem, it violates your rights. the main problem with this administration is they have used scare tactics and talked people into giving over their rights willingly, not to mention talked them into defending the government blindly without a secound thought or critique as you see here. the government has made many think that being critical of bush or the war etc is being unpatriotic, so you see alot of people defending these things blindly.
so wiretaps, whether they are using them or not, are wrong, they are a violation of your rights and it gives the government the power over your fears. after all how do you know whether or not they are spying on you or not?....most likely not, but they now have the power to do it anytime they please. thats the power they have.

Answer 5

What makes you think that the Government would waste their time spying on Innocent Americans? If they are spying or wiretapping an American. They have good reason to do just that. Do you want another Terrorist Attack to happen? I bet If that happened you would be claiming that the Government did nothing to protect you. You are kidding yourself if you think that they would spend the money to do that. Get real.

Answer 6

i for my area do no longer think of there is sufficient disclosure from the invesitgation to attraction to an opinion from. with a view to verify costs which you recommend, there had extra effective be some very iron clad information. no rely what those 4 did, it fairly is obvious they have broken the regulations of Federal, County, State and city. yet as I easily have afore reported there is not any longer sufficient information out interior the regular public yet to make certain what the reason, reason or concentration became of those toddlers. we can in basic terms could wait and spot.

Answer 7

You have got to be kidding me. Do you really think the government has the time or urge to spy on innocent Americans? Do you think they are sitting there wondering if you had a fight with your boyfriend this week?!

We have hundreds of threats against this country every day. This what they are worried about. The wiretapping is for calls where one party is outside the U.S. and affiliated with a Al-queda or the Taliban. Don't you think it is a good idea that we listen in on a call from the U.S. to a suspected terrorist? I would love to know if you think this is okay.

Thanks....check Wikipedia under "NSA electronic survellance program"

Please check your

Answer 8

Communism.

Answer 9

The only people that ever mention this is the ACLU. I don't know about you but i've never heard of or read any actual proof that the general public is being "spied" upon.

So what if the CIA is listening to your phone calls? Are you into child pornography? Do you sell drugs? Maybe cheating on your wife?

If you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to be worried about.

Let them listen. I hope they get a major hard-on while I have phone sex with my lady friend.

Answer 10

Identification of terrorists will be determined in wiretapping operations.