You are correct that this has been going on, probably since the beginning of time, in one form or another. As for the French Revolution, my understanding is that simply keeping the peasants in bread could have been enough. Maybe not but was what I was taught in history class. Watching Hunter walk on serious tax violations when the IRS haunts a lot of hard working Americans, on their tax payer dime, is a tough one. I don't wish for a violent revolution. I'm not for sending people off to the gallows. But, American's wising up and standing together to demand better would be a good start to constructive and peaceful change.