I recently started working for a company whose parent company is General Electric. I've worked for large corporations before, but not for one that feels like Big Brother is watching. I'm amazed at the ridiculous amounts of security at my office building and the limitations on web access, i.e. no web email. Does anyone know of any message boards where I can share my concerns and complaints about GE or other monolithic corporations?

you have nothing to complain about. a company's information technology systems are their property provided to the employees for work-related purposes. at the most basic level, surfing the net at work is akin to raiding the supply closet and loading up on pens, paper, scissors, stapler, etc and taking them home for personal use. it is stealing.

i will grant that most companies have rather liberal policies regarding employee internet use, but on-line email is almost universally blocked at major security-conscious companies for security and liability reasons.

You can always complain, even if it doesn't do any good, you'll feel better.

Just don't complain to your employer. The internet is great for blowing off steam, but never forget there are no real secrets here, if somebody wants to know bad enough and knows how to find out...

Now if your employer uses that information to violate a law (i.e. EEOC) that is another matter.