I fully agree.

I just thought of an analogy- If this were the midst of the feudal age (instead of the 'futile age' (!) our governments would be doing what they want with impunity and without concern or regard for their serfs and peasants. Even though the serfs and peasants were always the ones who bore the brunt and costs of the feudal lords' disagreements and power struggles.

Is this what we have gone back to, with the difference being the lip service tossed in the direction of a farce of a democracy and republic? How soon before the lip service is deemed unnecessary?

OK, I grant you. The analogy fails. But I do believe that the 'people' might again become invisible and voiceless.