The power of the NSA truly is frightening. I have to admit, I never really subscribed to the idea of Snowden being a limited hangout at first, but the more of these revelations I see, the more I realize they don't undermine the security apparatus' power, so much as it illustrates and expands their power in our collective conscious. To think that these powers, when used domestically, can stop protests or prevent political change, it's clear that there will be no change without their implicit approval.

It's a strange feeling to have been taught from a young age of the value of democracy, but then to slowly come to the realization that American democracy has been subject to subverting forces for a long time, and now more than ever. I suppose apathy and a sense of helplessness is the intended social effect of these revelations; they will maintain the illusion of democracy for as long as they're able to, and the point at which it can no long be continued, they only need to pull back the curtain. We're all gradually coming to the realization that a brick wall is behind the theater.