"Big Brother is Watching You"

In GOF 2.2, by Sarah Baase, the topic discussed is government access to personal information. Government access to personal information can be very helpful in catching persecutors and preventing crime, but Baase discusses some shocking, little-known facts about the government. For example, did you know that the FBI tracked the movements of thousands of citizens (mostly anti-Vietnam war) during the 1960's and 70's without a court order? Or that police can use toll records in investigations without a court order? Or that there could be surveillance cameras where you wouldn't expect, watching your every move, and that the government can use this information without your knowledge or consent? There are many more instances involving the government abusing power, and going against our right to privacy (Fourth amendment). The fact that the government is abusing the rights that it is supposed to uphold is disturbing and frightening. The government is supposed to be protecting our rights and freedoms, but at the same time is taking them away. If our own government can't be trusted, how can we be sure that our rights and freedoms are being protected? What can we, as a democratic country, do about the situation?