If you're one of those who believe only evil people have anything to fear from Barack Obama collecting electronic data from our phone calls and internet usage, then you haven't been following current events closely enough. Aside from the privacy invasion issues, a problem arises from the character of the people who are asking us to trust them with that data. Most politicians gained their positions of power primarily through the use of what is known euphemistically as "opposition research." Another term for it is digging dirt or dirty tricks. Every couple of years we are subjected to a Congressional election, as well as many gubernatorial and local legislative elections. And most of the political advertising we endure is negative. These people stake their careers on saying awful things about each other that are not necessarily true. Political campaigns and political parties invest phenomenal sums of money tracking down every shred of gossip, innuendo and rumor that might contain any hint of malfeasance, either personal or professional/Michael Costello, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Do you trust this administration -- or any administration -- with your confidential information?