...if you're convinced government has little interest in responding to your needs.

And government is not particularly interested in responding to those needs if they feel there will be little or no consequences for that neglect.

The cycle feeds on itself. Apathy in the general electorate disproportionally benefits prosperous, powerful and active minorities, even if they are single-issue constituencies. They, in turn, feels this morally justifies their exaggerated influence in the political process. This is particularly the case for those who are organized and directed by powerful industry lobbies, like the NRA.

But, thanks to progressive media and online social networks, the situation is rapidly changing...

Real democracy doesn't just work for the comfortably well-off. And it isn't always pretty. I predict that if wealth inequality isn't addressed soon, the union movement will come back--with a vengeance. Economic conditions are rapidly approaching late 19th century ones, pretty much where they were the last time that happened.

"If you can only convince everyone they're a rugged individualist, they'll never organize against you."