How does a secret treaty that enables us to spy on everyone in Austria actually enhance our power?
It diminishes the sovereignty of Austrians. It makes us a global spook. It didn't prevent a single bit of terrorism. Activity like this only enhances power to the short-sighted and self-important. There is a lot we should simply stop doing, and stop paying for it to be done, and spend that on things that make the lives of Americans better, because we rate poorly on quality of life measures.
Power comes from a strong, productive economy. Putting ourselves in a panopticon is not productive.
