> "Now Germany has a wonderful framework of laws and regulations to guard personal privacy."
The part you're conveniently forgetting is at what cost?
Sure, the pendulum may swing back the other way eventually but how many lives are going to be destroyed during these unnecessary oscillations.
Reminds me of a Keynes quote: "Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent."
In this case, the pendulum can remain autocratic far longer than your life is worth it - if you feel that fighting is not possible, perhaps the best move is to worry about your own (family's) safety first.
What leaving does is control how far the pendulum swings. Imagine if Fermi hadn't left Italy? Or consider Lise Meitner who didn't leave Germany when everyone else did (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lise_Meitner). In her words, "It was not only stupid but also very wrong that I did not leave at once."