NSA data collection – The great disconnect between the ruling class and the people

I wrote in an earlier post, titled Snowden a Patriot?, that this issue graphically illustrates the divide between the ruling class, including so-called conservative commentators who operate inside the Beltway, with the people. This was dramatically highlighted by a poll released by Rasmussen Reports a little over a week ago, revealing that a whopping Fifty-seven percent (57%) of voters nationwide believe it is likely the NSA data will be used by other government agencies to harass political opponents. That’s almost twice as many as the 30% who consider it unlikely the government would so use such data.

Consider this. National polls on issues that have recently surfaced tend to reflect what people are told by the media to think about an issue. On the NSA data collection, however, the media, both ruling class liberals and ruling class conservatives, are telling us we have nothing to worry about. Politicians and administration officials are joining in the chorus. No one whom I have heard on national TV or radio has suggested that there could be any connection between NSA data collection and the targeting of political opponents. When I wrote about it on June 12 suggesting that this is how the government could use this information, I had not heard a single other soul float the same theory. So we are all, independently, without being told, coming up with the same fearful scenario. Imagine the results of the poll if people found those private views they are feeling independently affirmed by the media.

There is a great opportunity here for a liberty-loving patriot to ride this wave of popular sentiment into office at some level and lead the people to revolt at the ballot box. For the sake of our liberties, I hope that happens. A Mitt Romney type, or a Marco Rubio, a Chris Christie, cannot do this. They are too wedded to the ruling class. This calls for a Rand Paul, a Sarah Palin, or a Ted Cruz type who has the guts to stand up to the establishment.

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