“The National Security Agency is immune to budget cuts. It is therefore beyond reform. Congress pays it $52.6 billion a year to do whatever it wants. The only reason we know what the NSA’s budget is, is because Edward Snowden leaked it. There will be no further leaks. Eight major Internet firms, including Google, Apple, and Microsoft, have sent a letter of protest to Congress. It will have no effect on the NSA’s budget. If it does not lead to a budget cut, the letter will have no effect. The only way to change a bureaucracy is to cut its budget. The reason why the eight companies are protesting is because of Edward Snowden’s leaks. Snowden’s leaks were crucial to exposing what the NSA is doing.”
http://teapartyeconomist.com/2013/12/09/revolt-nsa-major-internet-companies/