I do agree with all the above 
We certainly need a higher quality of politicians, and, yes, have done for decades. The problem of our democratic system is of course the politicians have to play to the wishes of the populous to gain their votes. But that is the system of representative politics.

Ok, so what the people have to realise is that the Govt can't control very much. At best they can steer the ship. What they can't control is the rapids, whirlpools, and mines that appear in the sea from time to time.
If you oppose new nuclear power stations being built, or fracking, or onshore wind turbines, or burning coal, or tidal power, or.... without proposing a suitable alternative then you are leaving yourself wide open to unexpected events. There is literally nothing that current politicians can do to prevent hardship this winter (there isn't time), and if it happens that hardship will disproportionally affect the poor and elderly who are least able to pay for the new world order. It always does.
Ranting and raving that "something must be done" helps no-one. It is quite possible that the west will be unable to live above it's means from now on, and that might mean a decline in living standards for (almost) everyone.