Ever heard of water boarding? Continuously playing music at high volumes? Continuously having strong light and/or switching the light on/off on random intervals? Locking people in small completely dark environments? Waking people as soon as they fall asleep? Mentally abusing people including forcing them to do things against their morals and/or religion? And a lot more...
Are you sure you're not talking about a a pretty fucking awesome rave?
Now that I have that out of the way I just assume that my government is just as bad as most when it comes to shady dealings but is just better at hiding it or convincing its citizens that it is needed (see Palin's baptism comment). I wish it were better and I try to make it better but too many of my fellow citizens think these things are perfectly A-OK.
A penny saved is a penny to squander. -- Ambrose Bierce