Some great writing here. I especially resonate with the wasted potential part in the sense that we could be so much more if things were better.
However, perhaps there's an importance or.. Strength we can gather from realizing that we could have been so much more if things were different as well.

If we don’t decide what sort of future we want for ourselves and our children, someone else surely will.

Well said! I wish more people took such kinds of things to heart and stopped letting predators who don't care about them take over their responsibilities and spirit.

People are more powerful than they often give themselves credit for. I think if we woke up in larger numbers, we could give the system a run for it's money.. It's tough and discouraging at times though as it seems so many almost prefer slavery and looking the other way rather than setting a foot down in principle and honor.

I still have hope or I woulda given up a long time ago and joined in the hedonism. And in a strange sense.. I think that an even higher level of happiness can be obtained when you try to do what's right in the world as opposed to just trying to gain as much visceral and carnal pleasure as possible.