Our government is ran by the people
No, it's run by representatives. These tend to be lobbyist-funded politicians that have managed to fool enough people into voting for them (usually by taking a popular stance one single issue or another). Once they are in office, the people have no say other than to threaten to not vote for them next term.
I personally believe some forms of copyright are necessary, but if the majority of the people believe we should have none, then we should have none.
I don't think the majority think we should have none... I think it's more that the majority of people think that the current model sucks.
it seems that the more the people feel copyrights are too restrictive, the more the laws become more draconian.
I don't think one causes the other directly... The more people feel copyrights are too restrictive, the more they start pirating. Instead of fixing the copyrights, draconian laws are passed as scare tactics (that obviously don't work).
if you disagree with a law, it's your job to let your representatives know it's bad and to try to get as many people that agree with you to tell them also.
Problem is they listen to the big industry money guy funding their campaign more than they listen to Joe the plumber.
If you aren't proactive with your government you really aren't doing everything you can to let your side of the argument be heard and considered. If you aren't happy with a law, don't fall into the rut of thinking there is nothing you can do, but begin letting everyone know why it needs to be changed. You should be able to decide, rather then just be stuck to follow, on what course you want your legislature to steer the nation.
This is a refreshing view of how the government should work. Perhaps I have become to cynnical, but this article just confirms that the government has been choosing the interest of the industries over an overwhelming popular opinion. Do we really need to become as radical as OWS or the Tea Party to get any kind of attention these days?