I understand that we still physically have the power, that if we all banded together under a single banner and stopped the ravaging of the earth and stopped our political warmongering, then we would be able to salvage ourselves. I am worried that we have been manipulated into a state where we can no longer congregate and actually solve these problems, that the systems that are in place have their talons dug in so far that we cannot remove them without it all falling apart. We can try and remove them one by one and repair the damage as it arrises, but that might be too slow of a process.

It doesn't seem like anything these days is in the interest of the people. Has it slipped through our fingers? Can we ever take it back other than through violence?

No, but I believe that it is an important way of securing your life and property against people who wish to do you harm, whether it is the Gov. or a home intruder, there are many situations where a policing force just doesn't respond fast enough or are the problem itself. I feel that it is a necessary step in becoming prepared for the uncertainty before us.