Is the RIAA really being fair

I'm a little disturbed that that RIAA has the power to track down IP addresses and sue individuals who are downloading music. They are a corporation that is given government power and I am not sure if that is right. I understand artists deserve to be compensated for their work, but the truth is it's not right to extort thousands of dollars out of people who really cannot afford it. I understand they think it's stealing music but these tactics are unfair and really helping prove the argument America is materialistic. Music was never meant to be for profit and to make a career out of it, you're setting yourself up for a life of limited resources. If you love music that much then you'll feel it's worth it to be struggling and you'll learn to take the approach Moby did in the late 90's and sell the rights to his music, only to use the money to fight against the very corporation he gave the rights to his music to, or you can use it to feed your family. I fear everyday a lawsuit will come my way because I am trying to recoup a stolen CD collection that I spent thousands on. I can't stand watching Puff Daddy and executives like him walk around saying he works extremely hard when I know as a teacher I will be putting in the same amount of work if not more in and receiving less pay. I read somewhere that by not paying a lawsuit or the settlement, you can receive five years in prison. I think I'd rather take the five years then fill the pockets of people who clearly don't understand what music is about.