The crux of the NSA story in one phrase: 'collect it all'
What's being built is a mechanical god. It sees and remembers everything. Until recently it has mostly ignored the affairs of the average person, or at least operated in ways that have made observation of its activities difficult. But, with closer integration to the other parts of government, it has and will become more like a god who micromanages the affairs of its subjects by punishing their indiscretions. There is nothing to stop it from imposing its morality upon everyone.