terry---I am a tragic true believer!! I think that if the 'the people' are pushed too hard they will insist on being heard (eg Burma at the moment). If power is not to come from the barrel of a gun then it has to come from the people, when they realise that they are vitally important to their rulers (even the ones they elected!). Their representatives can and do control the crazier desires of the corporations, they have the power, but yes, at the moment it seems that we really are up against it. This could be due to the fact that lately we have traded some of our freedoms for security. Is this a wise choice?

PS I still think that this topic is really interesting and I enjoy discussing politics-- but it is not Science nor NQS.