[davidhansen]

The completely honest answer to your question is that I'm not willing to start killing people. Seriously, no troll.

I understand that the popularity contest driven plutocracy we currently operate under will never create a sane government. This is not because voting doesn't "work" - I am not suggesting conspiracy here. But affluent societies don't give a shit. On the whole, so long as you feed, clothe, house, protect, and entertain your electorate, you can do whatever you please, and your power will likely not be challenged. My vote does not, and never will, count, when I am vastly outnumbered by the votes of people so comfortable in their lives that they don't bother with silly things like political introspection.

So, my only alternative is to participate in the only historically viable means of effecting meaningful change: a violent overthrow of the system. I am not willing to do this. That is why I don't "do something".

[jhancock]

I have felt similar in the past...these feelings pass. Your perspective is at least partially dishonest. You don't have to kill people to start making a difference in a society where you can vote and possibly more importantly educate others on what's happening. You seem to feel that the undereducated coddled masses wouldn't be moved if you spent a bit of time trying to talk to them. I think you'd be surprised at the impact you could make in your day to day outings in the city. Get some leaflets made with your local rep's name and photo and contact info on it and put some useful info on SOPA or other things you think people should know about. Add a message to the top of the web sites you operate!! Education is a great place to start. Please don't tell me this approach won't work if you haven't bothered to try it yet.