It may be keeping us safe, but also if they know that most people don't have anything to hide, then why are they wasting money getting information on normal, every day citizens? The government complains about how in debt they are, but they choose to make decisions that spend more money than necessary. Aside from money, giving the government the power to spy on everyone, is giving them a lot of power. Like I said in my post, the more power we give away to the government means the harder it will be to keep our rights and liberties.
I don't know about you, but it makes me a uncomfortable that the government could be watching my every move, and I don't know when or if they are.