I have to agree with you. It seems the sickness in the UK at least is that everyone complains that it's not a democracy, but very few people actively engage in

I have to agree with you. It seems the sickness in the UK at least is that everyone complains that it's not a democracy, but very few people actively engage in it. I don't know anyone other then myself who'd ever written to an MP to ask a question, challenge an idea or simply register their concerns. You can't say they don't listen if you don't try to talk to them. That's not to say everything is hunky dory. But it's far from too late for people to pull their socks up and take on the responsibility of forcing their elected representatives to act on their behalf.