really? when exactly did we turn from a representative republic to an oligarchy? Politicians may be rather corrupt as a rule of thumb, but if you vote them out of office theres nothing they can do about it. Sounds like rule by the people to me. You can write your congresscritter and tell them what you want them to do. Send them petitions with signatures of their constituents on it. get enough that it effects their power base and watch how fast they jump to. Sounds like rule by the people to me.

Seperating a goal too large to pass at once into smaller parts that can be passed progressively seems to work. Look at how prohibition started in the first place. Look at gun control. Look at civil rights. You have to start off small and get people used to it. then you can get bigger and bigger until youve got what you originally intended because it 'made sense' but couldn't convince people of when you started. Patience is a virtue.