Amen Don,

Those defeatists you mention think they're enlightening us but they're really just describing an age-old struggle, "The haves against the have nots" something that's always been with us. Those who wish to exploit humanity and the earth for their own selfish ends are global now, they have more money and power and they feel more entitled than ever so what are you going to do sit at your computer and rant at people like a banshee or get out and try even harder to make your government work? I still abide by that old saw "Think globally and act locally".