Comment by heavyset_go

The sentiment you're speaking of was definitely there, my response is more about how people felt about the government and, say, cybercrime.

At least from what I recall, law enforcement were portrayed as bumbling idiots when it came to computers and anything internet-related.

Same thing with legislators and regulators, with the "series of tubes" meme capturing the sentiment pretty well.

When it came to spying, yeah you were (and still are to an extent) considered to be insane if you think the government was spying on you or anyone you know, let alone everyone.