For example, if one takes the traditional image of the tyrannical government spying on its citizens (the East German Stasi comes to mind) the fear wasn't just that the government monitors would hear you say something anti-government while in private. The fear was that they would use that private conversation as a reason to imprison, torture, and/or execute you. You had to watch every word you say for fear of detention or death.
Many Americans do not believe that their government would or could use that information against them, especially since they are not terrorists (think of the old cop line "if you are innocent you have nothing to hide). The fact is that much of the information that is being collected by the government is ALREADY being collected by Google, Facebook, Yahoo and AT&T. Most Americans rightfully assume that google is keeping track of their searches, and that AT&T has records of who they call. Why would they trust some corporation with this data, but not their government? I don't necessarily agree with this thinking, but I understand it.
Until there are MULTIPLE reports of the U.S. government using that information against ordinary Americans, you are not going to see much traction on the issue.
> Unless you planned carry a concealed gun all the time, you'd hardly ever be affected - only on the occasions where you'd have otherwise carried.
This might sound strange to people who don't carry guns (particularly if you live in a country were civilian ownership is restricted), but for the people I know with concealed carry permits, many actually do carry all the time (at least everywhere they can legally). These folks don't carry their guns only on special occasions. One firearms instructor told me that he carries everyday because "if I knew the exact day that I would need my gun in public, I would just stay home instead." They treat carrying a gun like wearing a seat belt. You don't only wear your seat belt on the highway or in heavy traffic. As soon as you get in the car, you buckle up.