I often wondered if the words sheep and sleep are similar for a reason.
I agree that sheeple can be over used, but it does create a pretty accurate symbol in the mind about what is happening. I prefer sheeple over "victims" myself. Victim to me denotes a feeling of helplessness, where as sheeple just simple means we need to wake up.
Maybe sleople/sleeple is the best term to use in this case then.
On the other side of the coin, I really detest when the word "elite" is used to describe the scum who dis-control things.