How is encryption a short-term solution? We want to be able to communicate privately, without having to trust Google or Facebook to respect our privacy or protect us from external threats. The answer is to encrypt our communications. In the case of social networking, we probably need something more sophisticated than just public-key encryption, but researchers are already presenting solutions:
If the government will not respect our privacy -- and frankly, there is no reason to believe they will -- then we need to take matters into our own hands. We need to use cryptography to protect our privacy, so that no matter who comes into power we can communicate privately. That is a long-term solution, one that outlasts the government.
Sure, you can encrypt most things, but then maybe you look suspicious so you get special attention. Can you encrypt everything? Of course not.