[washadjeffmad]

While the amount charged to the public (and the deleterious effects of liberal incarceration on communities) is real, the costs cited may be exaggerated. The "Kids for Cash" kickback system comes to mind. They can turn a profit.

It isn't the majority of all people that matters, just the most consistent individual groups of voters. And felons can't vote. How do you disenfranchise and silence entire communities of people? Disproportionately charge them with felonies. It's obviously broken.

Civil disobedience makes sitting ducks of powerless people. Idealism doesn't change laws, or political culture, or us-vs-them mentalities, or nepotism, or corruption, or revolving doors. Law makers change laws, and not easily. Occupy changed what exactly? Maybe it influenced the adoption of Cop Cams a little, but it had little effect on banking practices, and that system affects pretty much everyone.

Change isn't hopeless, but it doesn't work the way you'd hope it would.