You mention the possibility of criticizing the powers that be from an angle other than the corporate-approved zaniness of Charlie Hebdo. But France has already seen what happens when a comic criticizes what is truly the powers-that-be with Dieudonne. He started mocking Jewish politics, and his career was almost destroyed by "the powers that be." It's just so easy to make fun of the poor like Charlie Hebdo did.
You mention the possibility of criticizing the powers that be from an angle other than the corporate-approved zaniness of Charlie Hebdo. But France has already seen what happens when a comic criticizes what is truly the powers-that-be with Dieudonne. He started mocking Jewish politics, and his career was almost destroyed by "the powers that be." It's just so easy to make fun of the poor like Charlie Hebdo did.