If you are taking a class on Physics, and you have spent $x,000 to take this course; and the Professor choses to spend your time and your money by giving a monologue on his thoughts on Pres. GW Bush; I'd say that a tape of his lecture along side a syllabus of the course would be proof that the professor owes each and every one of his students a full semester's refund.
Why? Missing just one class can mean postponing graduation a semester. Based upon the average cost of what a graduating senior would make; this amounts to several tens of thousands of dollars. Some would call this fraud.
Now add to the fact that if you complain, you can be punished by 'failing' the class, at the Professor's whim. I'd say adding some personal responsibility to the teacher is fair and just; after all the student's grades and career are based upon their personal responsibility.