I'm only just now beginning to realize how much work is involved in being a good, participating citizen. It's more than simply showing up at the voting center once every four years--or even every year. One must be informed of current events, of what the government in its various forms is doing, and must make one's will known to the appropriate representatives. Will, not opinion. We the people are the true government, after all, although it seems we rarely shoulder that burden. Seems it's easier to just sit back and complain (or gloat).
And I admit that I have been (and will probably continue to be, to some extent) one of the complainers.