I'm not peppering you because your political leanings, but because I have no idea what you're trying to say. It sounds like you're saying that there is never a good time to change our current state of mass surveillance.

What pattern of expansion and contraction are you talking about? I know the expansion part, but I certainly don't know what the last contraction was.

What due process are you talking about? These policies were effected unilaterally, in secret.

What is a good way "to go about national security policy" if not by working within the legislative framework? Are you saying that there is no legislative solution?

What if there is a terrorist event now? How much more data can we collect?

My position is that it is never too early to examine the effects--the consequences--of any legislation. This particular incident has lingered secretly for well over a decade, and that is oppressive. Regardless of wordsmithing and mental gymnastics, these programs are clearly out of line with the spirit of American civil liberties and need to be checked.