Blog Monitoring

I have read recent postings from classmates about the blogs being monitored. Then after hearing classmates discuss articles about the Chinese government announcig the start of moinoring of their citizen's blogs. (http://www.chinaeforum.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=22524) I am disturbed at the invasion of privacy that any government is imposing on thier citizens under the guise of protecting them. How far will it go? What is going to stop the U.S. from doing the same thing? Our government could state it is for our safety in the War on Terrorism. Are we always going to give up our rights due to ungodly fear that the government instills in its citizens? Granted there will always be a possibility of attack on this country but should we sacrifice basic freedoms for a possibility that the current administration says will not happen since they are on watch?