[krapp]

Yes and no.

The parties have successfully rigged the system such that they only need to cater to lobbyists, and the extremist wings of their respective parties, to maintain power.

It really wouldn't matter what the majority of Americans believed, notwithstanding that a majority of Americans probably would view the NSA programs as, at worst, a necessary evil. You also have to take into account the politics approaching the upcoming presidential election.

[bavcyc]

Matt Taibbi is a good writer to read in regards to how Washington really works. I can't remember which of his books had the best example, but the system is broke.