In the US, we have collectively decided, as a society, that some information should be kept secret, even from The People, and we have empowered and entrusted the government with the power to do so.
Really, did _you_ vote on it, will your vote be reaffirmed every generation or so to ensure its still what the people want ?
Perhaps you should have said, a previous generation let the powers that be keep secrets from everyone, and now we cant get them to give up their power.
This argument doesn't hold much water. Should every law in a democratic society be renewed every few years? I agree there may be an argument for more openness, but secrecy in some areas is and will always be important. Furthermore, as the first post in the thread stated, this leak is not being chosen democratically, either. Unilateral action by an individual or small group of individuals is not necessarily in there interest of the people. Also you claim "we cant get them to give up their power." Have you tried? When was the last time you wrote to your representatives urging them to press for legislation declassifying reams of diplomatic documents?
Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. -- Wernher von Braun