Although I am a bit sceptical of Chomsky's approach to linguistics (he seems to leave out the messy human side of language, reducing it to something easier to study), I think that his other life role as someone who deeply distrusts power is useful to society. I am not saying that I agree with him most of the time, but we need more people like him who have the courage to step outside the box and take a cool hard look at what is happening in the world.