Because your key is accessible to so many people, it is quite possible to imagine a law enforcement official requesting your key, and then carelessly allowing it to fall into other's hands. By corrupting two or three people, the privacy of all Americans using the Clipper chip would be compromised. The recent arrest of CIA turncoat Aldritch Ames shows that even the world's best intelligence organization is vulnerable to corruption. Many law-enforcement officials claim that advancing technology can hamper law enforcementUs ability to implement a wiretap. Of these, only 340 were federal administered wiretaps.
Good governments come and go, as do bad governments.
During the Hoover's tenure as head of the FBI, FBI agents were persecuting anyone with unpopular political opinions. We've got a good government right now, but that doesn't mean it will always be that way. Let's not build a tool for a future bad government to use against its citizens. Sooner or later a piece of legislation may be introduced that addresses the Clipper Chip. Until then, please feel free to contact your Senator or Representative and explain to them how you feel.