Italicized is unfortunate as I have met many like that and felt bad for them. Not pity, because they seemed to be happy individuals overall, but definitely something close to it.
Bold, I actually agree with you somewhat. Not sure how it is over there, but here we have these inhibitors to democracy called lobbyists and voter apathy. Neither problem has a solution. Even though you are all still pretty fucked up over there with your monarchy, there is a similar game played here, but it is more diverse and thinly veiled.