Questions about Internet privacy--govt intrusion.

[CoffeeCat]

I apologize if my question sounds tin-foil hattish, but a comment made by a CNN viewer regarding Internet privacy sparked my curiosity.

The viewer said, "I don't post personal or political views on the Internet. With Spyware and the way the government can track what you do and what you say on the Internet, I stay away from expressing political opinions. Given the direction our government is headed, it would be dangerous to post your political views online. Maybe not next week--but sometime in the future--it may be dangerous for a person to have posted political views that are in opposition to those who hold power." ...And she made some comments about the Patriot Act.

Ok, my questions...is this true that the government has the capacity to track your Internet activities--including the content you write on message boards?

Does anyone else agree with her opinion about posting political views being dangerous?

I ask the question because I am very concerned about the radical actions of the Republicans. Invading Internet privacy sounds right up their alley. If they continue to exploit their power and if they gain more power--I could see them using a person's political beliefs against them.

I'm wondering if others think the CNN viewer's remarks were spot on or ridiculous?