When you're at the mercy of the ignorant/incompetent/impotent can you survive? How?

The first thing to do is recognize the fact that they have no idea what mercy is.  So, you need to operate from that notion. 

Do not go along with them, never trust them, and get rid of them if at all possible.  We have been way too lax here. 

sure, god can help you survive

Those kind are the most scary to me... the ones who blindly and blankly spout utterly ignorant and incorrect statements as if they are true... the scary thing is they really believe it... you can't reason with people like that.. you can't help them, you cannot enlighten them....  and that's what makes them real scary.. if you fall into their hands then that's got to be a real life nightmare