And to get within that $20 at the local grocer, I have to use my "reward
card" and let them link my purchase to my name, address and phone number.

The grocers all claim that they are keeping this information confidential....
but for how long? Why would they spend hundreds of thousands of dollars a year
collecting it if it doesn't have some commercial value? The weak explanation
that often gets trotted out is that it allows stores to know what sort of
merchandise is turning fastest. Bullshirt. You can easily measure how fast
merchandise is turning without knowing the identities of the individuals who
bought it.

As it is right now, I surely believe that the FBI could get access to the
information without a subpeona under the Patriot Act.
That's the first breach in the dam.

Ten years from now, some poor slob will be dieing from coronary artery disease
and need an open heart operation. The US Insurance company (owned by WAlMART
and the only insurance company left) will
turn down the claim. Why? "Sorry, Mr. Missinbeats. Your condition is self
inflicted, and therefore not covered under your policy. We have examined your
grocery receipts for the last 15 years, and
you purchased 40% more butter and ice cream than the national average. Have a
nice (last) day."