[nik-]

I am serious. Most people don't even care because they don't notice it in their day to day lives. You care, others care, because you're more invested. Most people just aren't and just go about their lives. If you're the average Joe, honestly how does the Patriot Act "oppress you". Is it a violation of the 4th amendment? Yes. Should it have existed? No. For the VAST majority of people does it make any sort of difference in their lives when it comes down to it? No.

I never said government has no impact on people's lives, I'm saying there's not a real big difference for the majority of people regardless of who is in power in terms of tangible impact on their day to day.

This isn't exactly controversial. It's the reason congress has sub 10% approval ratings and yet people still keep getting re-elected. Because for the most part, people just don't care.