Presidential Address.

Would it happen to be the same group that want to remove the use of guns?

There may be some overlap.

I'm not sure any politicians endorse it but there have been several papers written by prominent economists that recommend it. example

Politicians who endorse monitoring all transactions for terrorism (data mining) will probably endorse it.

So, that pretty much covers both major political parties.

It may have been a similar news article I saw and business that are trying to cashless too.

I'm sure politicians that would endorse it would claim that it would help fight terrorism too though.

I've been busy.

This exists. And the FBI collects it from POS terminals in real time.

Again, we agree.

People are being silly if they fear that their information about what they purchase really matters to the government. Or by making such purchases with a credit card, they are automatically in some database where the government will use that information to blackmail use it against them later on in life.

Who the *** cares what sort of information the government has on you? As long as it's not illegal, why bother? Even if it is illegal, why aren't you arrested yet?

Why does the government have the right to collect any information on me at all? The whole illegal - legal does not matter. Letting simple freedoms go to the government only invites them to further degrade them in the future.

The word fear is also being misused here, angry would work better.

While I'm loathe to agree with Altima, I can see his point to some degree. However Terrorism - In order to hold information on people who are risks, they need to hold info on everyone to avoid discrimination laws, it also helps their programmes define outside of Normal results for "flagged people" so they can ID them quicker.

To answer both of you at the same time:

The US government has more information from you that you voluntarily give than what they get from 3rd parties (aka credit card banks and the such).

Filed a tax return? Got your information.
Was born in the US? Got your information.
Applied to college? Got your information.
Got a drivers licence? Got your information.
Worked for anyone? Got your information.

The federal government already have all the goods on you regardless on what you use to buy ***, so why bother altering your lifestyle because you are afraid (and yes, I'm using the word correctly here) that they might care enough to look at what you buy.

It's the same irrational fear people have for using GPS in their vehicles, afraid that the government is keeping tabs on them. Like anyone gives a ***.

I personally have no issue if they know my information, I work in <Some sector> where I don't have to fear my government, namely because lolCameronisapussy.

Now if they wanted my Penis size, I'd have an issue.

Odds are, they already have it, especially if you posted it on Facebook.

This is really the crux of it for me.

NSA is on my phone or computer? Congrats, you're watching the porn I like and I hope you enjoy listening to a bunch of eclectic *** music while I play video games, because that's what's on tap.

Damn it, I knew I shouldn't have gotten that tattoo across the side of it and then shared it.

Well obviously.

Point is, even if they turn it to the Rammie Channel, they're going to be more uncomfortable than I am as we mutually take part in my perfectly legal, morally bankrupt lifestyle.

So that is where you got the tattoo of a foot long ruler.

Would you show your mother your porn history? Why or why not?

Well she inadvertently saw a time or two when I was younger anyhow, but that's one of the joys of having grown up before internet smut. Some guys forget to close browser windows, some guys neatly tuck their skin mags in a sock drawer and mom decides to be nice and put their clothes away for them.

Ehh. It was a different time.

So I'll take that as a no?

MindGeek cares. MindGeek cares a lot.

Look into them sometime.

There is a real secret power in the world.

The entire concept is a bit flawed. But if it's "yeah, she sees this or something big nasty and bad happens," fine, whatever. She can see my browsing history in it's full, boob-laden entirety if she really wants.

In all honesty, she might want to know where it came from so she can go look up some good ***herself.

At least, that's how my father is.

>.>
<.<

I wouldnt actively force her to look at it but i wouldnt care if she knew what i looked at, because i'm a grown up and there's nothing shameful about sexual exploration/kinks. I do believe people should make important decisions based on if their parents/person(s) they respect would approve. However, i don't believe this should be used as a shaming technique to make people rethink harmless things they enjoy.

If you don't do anything illegal you shouldn't care about what the government knows about you. If anything you should be glad they know everything about those who do illegal things.

If you do illegal things too...well, good riddance.