what do Americans think about the NSA scandal

[cheezz]

I firmly believe this crap was happening before Obama, to whatever degree then current technology allowed,

I have proof of that. I moved to my present location about 9.5 years ago and got a new phone number. I decided to pay to be unlisted, since no one had my number. (I highly recommend that, by the way.)
When you're unlisted, your number shows up as 'private' on caller ID.

About 7 or 8 years ago, I called the IRS. Based on some things a coworker had said, I thought that I might be able to redo some deductions and re-file my tax return to drop me into a lower tax bracket. I asked them my questions and they confirmed my theory, even explaining how to do it. They reran the numbers and told me exactly how much less my taxable income would be.

As soon as I got off the phone, I realized two things-

1. They looked up my tax return even though I did not give them ANY information that could identify me.

2. That could only happen if Windstream, the company I was paying for privacy, sold me out to Uncle Sam.

I didn't get overly excited about it, yet to this day I don't think there are any laws on the book which allow for such blatant breach of contract.