It is evident that the government must be able to keep up with the evolution of technology. Although, I believe the government may abuse this power, I rather be safe than sorry, when it comes keeping America safe. Also, I believe the government is definitely capable of tapping into networks outside the country because the United States has always been impressive when it comes to finding out "secretive information". So, tapping into networks is the least of my concern.

Really cut down on the size of each individual comment, haven't you?

"Foreign sources" such as private conversations between our service people serving in Iraq or Afghanistan or even the emails between me and my nephew who lives in Krakow or my niece and her wife & daughter in New South Wales? I think Constitution was already assaulted by the Bush administration and, as OTM warned, few executive privileges disappear with a new administration and usually expanded upon. On the other hand, I have rarely worried about the security of my communications, aware as I have always been of the vulnerabilities of all our technologies. Remember a famous tale titled "The Purloined Letter"?

Besides, I err on the side of good and have never had enough to steal. Held at gunpoint, I had a thief lie to his partner that I had nothing when I did have $5!

If memory serves, during the "notoriously overreaching George Bush Administration" most of the surveillance focused on foreign sources and influence and was to terrorist groups "notoriously" effective in defending the US and our allies.
What is disturbing in light of this new technology is a current or future administration that may be more obsessed with their lawful domestic political opposition rather than foreign terrorists. Hopefully our "living and breathing Constitution" as some ominously like to call it, will hold firm.

If we accept the idea that all of the 21st century communications networks should be constructed with easy wiretap capabilities, why don't we also make sure that all physical locks be designed so that they are easy to pick? Perhaps each lock/safe manufacturer should be requirded to keep master keys or some such. That way, the police could execute search warrants more efficiently. Perhaps all computer operating systems sould be built with back doors as well.