I find it hard to believe that the group of people we typically hold responsible for the bad things are the only ones involved. Who said yes to them, for instance? Who decided they didn't need to be stopped? Where were we when these people showed their true colors and made decisions we thought were 'crazy'?
I believe there are people out there that don't know what they want, and use these 'bad' people responsible for all the bad things in their lives. They continue on in the rat race, thinking, "someone will save me," "someone else is doing something about it," yet we don't actually consider how we can have an impact.
Now, I'm obviously challenged by those who would say, "I've tried, nothing happens, no one changed or the problem didn't go away." How about, "They keep us down and dumb so that it's hard for us to get out of the system"? Or, "There's no point trying, someone else will just replace them." All of which I would say carry only a fraction of the truth.
I challenge you to consider that civic duty isn't just to your city or country, but that it's to everyone on this planet(maybe even the universe?). When we sit down and accept that it's just the way it is, or that other people have more money and influence and power, etc, we also conveniently take ourselves out of the equation. Who do you think gave them their money, power, and influence? We did. Who do you think allowed them to say and do the things they did without accountability? We did.
Take responsibility for your duty to other human beings(I'm not trying to guilt you, just want to remind you of your personal authority and capabilities - it’s within all of us to treat each other the way we would like to be treated) and get involved locally. Local involvement is the one thing you'll be able to get involved in and make an impact much easier. We all have different strengths so give how you can!
I hope you do :)