I am nearly 100% convinced that the solution to 'modern' problems - for example the bank bail out - is to turn away from the system that caused it and invent a new, better alternative. Of course it is not a simple thing to do. For starters you need a threshold of people to agree to a new system in order to manifest it. In addition you will have to deal with people bound to the old system. For example if you decided to form your own isolated community and did not pay government taxes, no doubt you would come under scrutiny.
What I have noticed is that many people can observe and describe what is wrong with our society, fewer people can suggest alternatives, and even fewer can suggest HOW to solve those problems.
The friction that occurs when people suggest solutions to problems is invariably describing symptoms and consequences of the system itself and therefore its relevance is limited. Unfortunately it is difficult for people to logically step outside of the boundary's of a system, especially considering the indoctrination that occurs from an earlier age.
When logic and persistence fail in important issues it may be a result of the mass of human psychology preventing the cognitive steps required. For example, the rampant consumerism in the world can easily be refuted however the vast majority of people buy into it (pun intended!) at a fundamental level.
As many people have stated or alluded to, if we stopped contributing to the system it will stop working! Perhaps that is what we need to do individually - by doing things everyday that deny the old monolithic system and encourage a newer, fairer outcome.
