What exactly does the election process mean to you then? What value do you see in it if not something like this?

You have 2 choices. The first is the "always do it yourself" fix to other people's mistakes or intentional trespasses. The second is to have the "people in charge" do it for you in a sustainable manner, at scale.

The second option might include repeated litigation. I have no idea how it would work but making them pay more than they earn every time is a strong deterrent.

The election process can be summed up roughly as "Heads, I win; Tales, you lose."

You win the game by controlling who gets to run as a candidate. That way, no matter who wins individually, you still end up with a majority in the legislature who will support policies friendly to you. And you don't need 100% control; some dissenting candidates need to be allowed, to provide an veneer of legitimacy to the process, but not enough to actually sway the votes in Congress.

So many complaints about the system! Call your alderman, get it raised at city council. Local government can be responsive. Band with some others, hire a lawyer. Organize.

Is a functioning democracy a right or a duty?

Or I guess you can just complain and post comments.

This is a national issue. You'd literally be fighting the rest of the country (who are apparently fine with it as it is) every step of the way.

You do realize that I do not live in Minnesota, and neither do I live in Minneapolis. Thus, I have no representative to contact there.

It has worked in the past. Minneapolis has changed a lot of ordinances to restrict towing.