Y'all bring up good points. Thanks for sharing. I do still believe that this is the best opportunity for our people to be thinking globally, but acting locally. Both left and right are disenchanted with the elites, and we never should expect somebody so far away to fix all our problems anyway. If we fail as individuals, or as a community, it'll be our fault. 
So protests or demonstrations might be in order for you. However, if we can get this level of engagement locally, we'll be a whole lot better off as a people. It's pretty incredible to think about how much we can all agree upon at the local level. We also have the opportunity to get to know our elected leaders as friends as I did with the Mayor just by asking: https://eddygilmore.com/2015/12/04/meet-emily-larson-duluths-next-mayor/           
That said, most of what we do, and need to do, can happen outside the political process. As we build stronger local communities that aren't so dependent upon the elites, who frankly do not care about us or our land at all, our country can't help but be made more beautiful in every way. I really believe positive change will begin from the ground up in your neighborhood, community, city. This process of decentralization will result in more control here on the ground, and less power for distant elites. There are valid concerns out there, but I think all of us can make more of a difference where we actually have the capacity to be of influence. 
Mr. Flaag, you're one colorful dude. You bring up good points about a nation dumbed down on reality TV. This is why I'd like to see more of us looking to local storytellers for entertainment, and more. It's not just about supporting bands and artists, but about creating an actual sense of place that isn't all flattened out by a corporate agenda bent upon making us all into mindless consumers. There's so much more that could be said here, but we really do need local communities that are fully alive. These will then string together from one end of this country to another like a string of pearls. Perhaps idealistic, but it's crucial to have relationships with the people and businesses we do business with. That there be a give and take relationship marked by mutual respect, care, and even love. Even looking at things more pessimistically, you'll be less likely to take advantage of others (or be taken advantage of) if you're regularly looking them in the eyes. 
I deleted your comments, because I was pretty discouraged about the previous ones, and wanted to reset things. Maybe I did the wrong thing. I'm not sure. I don't know how to bring them back. It does seem like anonymity causes people to say the sorts of things they never would in person. Although, I'm positive everything you say here you'd speak publicly, and I don't begrudge you of that. I was just discouraged at the time. Nothing personal.

Sound points all, and the history of the last century backs you up.  However, I'm with Gandalf:  

Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay… small acts of kindness and love.