A new study conducted jointly by Princeton and Northwestern universities concludes that the United States is no longer a democracy. The studies authors say the country fits the definition of an oligarchy instead -- a state where a small group of people have control over a country. They bases this assessment on the fact of a small number of business elites now have over-wielding influence on government functions. The most recent extension of the Citizens United decision, which allows corporations to spend an unlimited amount of funds on campaigns, worsens this trend.
So even though we have the appearance of free elections, the outcome is heavily influenced by large spenders. Since running a campaign has become and an expensive ordeal, dependency on these large sponsors has become a necessity for any politician to get elected, giving corporations enormous power.
What's more, even after individual candidates are elected to office, elected officials tend to bow to corporate lobbyist interests. We've especially seen this in the regulatory agencies such as the EPA, FDA, or financial watchdogs . . . The corporations being "regulated" often write the regulatory laws and dictate what goes on.
Business elite also dictate what the government spends money on. Washington has become a place where politicians will pass a prison bill, or a military spending bill, not because it's needed, but because politicians need support from the beneficiary of that bill come the next election period.
The above is just something interesting we thought everyone should know about.
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