> we are governed by fools who barely understand technology

This is an argument heard all around the world with regards to similar issues. I wonder to what extent it actually applies, and it is not your latter statement - that lobbying and commercial interests are at play - that is prevailing (so they are 'willing fools').

Hard to know, of course, but I'd say these lawmakers need not have to know the intricacies of the technology themselves, but can rely on accurate reports detailing their implications in layman's terms. They can have expert advisory groups do the hard work for them.