As a force, you are right, it is hard to overcome.
Do you really think people are waking up? I think they may be but I also think they have also been brainwashed to the point of irrational fears about losing the dole.
I always tell my troops that when you are in doubt about what is the right thing to do pick the hardest choice you face. Most people haven’t the character to do the harder right that hurts them the most in the short term.
I hear you, and can’t disagree. Hopefully we can use the example of Europe imploding financially to help people “get it” and choose to tough it out.