Jeeze, seems like a lot of animosity toward "elected" officials around.
Government class teacher was correct, not sure if maybe you missed the point.
Point being, if you want a change in your city, state or country YOU HAVE TO TELL an elected official your point of view about it, whether it's the State Song or too much Federal interference, doesn't matter what side you are on you just need to let someone know what change you would like, officials are not mind readers.
Teacher telling students "how they should vote" on an issue, well that's where parents should come in and explain to their kids that it is their choice not anyone elses, because all through the rest of their lives people will be telling them "how they should vote", the sooner they learn their options the better.
And NOT VOTING is a valid choice, arguably not the best choice but still a valid choice.
Not one person died for my right to vote, those that gave their lives, died for my right to choose, and they are honored for that sacrifice.
To be forced to vote or to be denied voting, is called a dictatorship, choice is the point.
And "squeaky wheel gets the oil", lobby groups and special interest groups get the politician's votes because they deliver election votes and money to get election votes.
The election is the key here.
Any one of us can do the same thing with fund raisers and email/phone call campaigns.
It IS a good system, not perfect because WE are not perfect but it is the best system so far.
Every wonder why there are the big 3 in government, Senate, House, President, a majority in any 2 gets things passed, no matter what the 3rd says, but you need 2 not just 1.
This was done because corruption in the human race is a given, WE ALL DO what's best for ourselves, our family, our friends, our city, our state, our country, and in that order.
People like Mother Teresa and Gandhi stand out because they are not normal, lol.
We, the tax payers, spend a lot of money to bring a person to trial and then jail them if found guilty, probably a lot more than the crime netted the criminal, or that will be recovered, lol.
So enforcement of a law is never about what is costs in dollars.
In any case, using troops can be more cost effective since they are "on the payroll", so in the "what it costs" category, troop's net cost needs to be adjusted accordingly.
100 troops cost XX dollars in Nevada or Texas as a base salary.
But it doesn't really matter, the cost of enforcing a law doesn't matter when compared to the cost of not enforcing a law, anarchy.
If a law is wrong then see above, and get it changed, be a "squeaky wheel".
Think the Feds are in your face too much then get the votes and change it, if you think you can't then you are probably right, and if you think you can you are probably right too, "most battles are won or lost before they are fought", paraphrase - Sun Tzu
"An efficient government is a dictatorship", paraphrase - Harry S. Truman