I would argue that it is actually the only thing that works, and the "real" vote is just for shows. You kinda agree with that in your last sentence. I don't think "real" voting works because it just reflects the aggregate of people's choices on a single variable. But your choices in life are an almost infinite number of variables and they almost always involve money/ressources. It's gotta be a more effective reflection when you consider the aggregate.

But anyway, in this case, I think the outrage is completely blown out of proportion and it probably isn't as bad as they make it out to be. It reads like a propaganda campaign from some government employed scientist that want funding to research the subject. I mean we should put some funds into it, but they have to give really hard results that it is actually a problem. So far everything on the subject is rather elusive and surface level. They use a lot of flowery language but not a whole lot of hard data...

Buying lobbyists works. You may need a few years or a few more decades to realize your other claims also don't work because the system has been completely gamed by vested interests.

Why not both.

To start a change you need to vote with your wallet.

To make it law you need to vote in your ballot