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Corrupt Government
See other Corrupt Government Articles

Title: U.S is an Oligarchy, Not a Democracy
Source: TPM
URL Source: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewi ... rts-say-us-no-longer-democracy
Published: Apr 18, 2014
Author: Brendan James
Post Date: 2015-03-18 08:20:27 by Willie Green
Keywords: None
Views: 1366
Comments: 9

A new study from Princeton spells bad news for American democracy—namely, that it no longer exists.

Asking "[w]ho really rules?" researchers Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page argue that over the past few decades America's political system has slowly transformed from a democracy into an oligarchy, where wealthy elites wield most power.

Using data drawn from over 1,800 different policy initiatives from 1981 to 2002, the two conclude that rich, well-connected individuals on the political scene now steer the direction of the country, regardless of or even against the will of the majority of voters.

TPM Interview: Scholar Behind Viral 'Oligarchy' Study Tells You What It Means

"The central point that emerges from our research is that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy," they write, "while mass-based interest groups and average citizens have little or no independent influence."

As one illustration, Gilens and Page compare the political preferences of Americans at the 50th income percentile to preferences of Americans at the 90th percentile as well as major lobbying or business groups. They find that the government—whether Republican or Democratic—more often follows the preferences of the latter group rather than the first.

The researches note that this is not a new development caused by, say, recent Supreme Court decisions allowing more money in politics, such as Citizens United or this month's ruling on McCutcheon v. FEC. As the data stretching back to the 1980s suggests, this has been a long term trend, and is therefore harder for most people to perceive, let alone reverse.

"Ordinary citizens," they write, "might often be observed to 'win' (that is, to get their preferred policy outcomes) even if they had no independent effect whatsoever on policy making, if elites (with whom they often agree) actually prevail."

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#1. To: Willie Green (#0)

U.S is an Oligarchy, Not a Democracy... A new study from Princeton spells bad news for American democracy—namely, that it no longer exists.

Asking "[w]ho really rules?" researchers Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page argue that over the past few decades America's political system has slowly transformed from a democracy into an oligarchy, where wealthy elites wield most power.

Wow, imagine that, a college finally figured out what Patriots have known for 40 years. The US is no longer a Constitutional Republic, but is a true and absolute Oligarchy.

First we became a democracy and now we have become a oligarchy. And no one took away our Republic and freedom, we gave it away, we sold it for a SS check, a few bundles of groceries and subsidized housing.

Serfs and slaves deserve no better!

BobCeleste  posted on  2015-03-18   11:29:38 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#2. To: BobCeleste (#1)

"...and no one took away our Republic and freedom, we gave it away, we sold it for a SS check, a few bundles of groceries and subsidized housing..."

I think you might be confused, Bob....

Our social safety net has probably been our last line of defense against the elites.

Without the backstop of laws and programs like the minimum wage, Social Security, Medicare, Medicare, the Veterans Administration, etc.... there would be no middle class or even a lower-middle class.....we would devolve into a two-class society of haves, and have-nots.

Yes, the elites today clamor for slashing "entitlements," abandoning all government regulation, and setting the minimum wage at $0.00.

So it is not the necessity of looking after our most vulnerable citizens that has threatened our representative democracy, instead we have become the useful idiots of the "ruling class" by pledging allegiance their elected minions and their propaganda.

"we are tartets from evil doers!!!" [ and ] U looked up birfer on the dcitionary. It isn't a movie.

Jameson  posted on  2015-03-18   12:19:26 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#3. To: Jameson (#2)

I think we will have to agree to disagree.

BobCeleste  posted on  2015-03-18   14:40:54 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#4. To: Jameson, BobCeleste (#2) (Edited)

Our social safety net has probably been our last line of defense against the elites.

"Safety net"?? More like a commercial fishing boat net. Only WE have become the dead and dying fish dumped onto the deck, to be devoured. AS PLANNED BY THE ELITES.

Without the backstop of laws and programs like the minimum wage, Social Security, Medicare, Medicare, the Veterans Administration, etc.... there would be no middle class or even a lower-middle class.....we would devolve into a two-class society of haves, and have-nots.

So in other words, if not for a bunch of tax-coerced gubmint subsidies paid for by printed fiat money (by the Bankster elites), America would have been more or less a vassal/slave-state? Gee -- thank goodness for Woodrow Wilson and FDR, eh? Or for that matter, LBJ and 0buma??

The largest demographic of "middle class" during the last 25 years?: The new bureaucratic class of minimally unskilled gubmint paper/pencil-pushers, mini-czars, and regulators who are largely overpaid and compensated to help lord over the rest of us. PAID FOR BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

So...Can you explain how capitalist America evolved into the richest, most innovative, industrial nation, and land of most opportunity before 1913?? And by 1990 and thereafter, the steady and dramatic devaluation of wealth, the dollar, and the private sector? OR, why most of the US's vast manufacturing base has been exported to Slave-Nations like...China?? America is now a pseudo-Socialist state.

It is not the necessity of looking after our most vulnerable citizens that has threatened our representative democracy, instead we have become the useful idiots of the "ruling class" by pledging allegiance their elected minions and their propaganda.

This so called "safety net" has all been a ruse to grow a Leviathan gubmint, increase dependency on gubmint, reduce dependence, personal responsibility, and liberty...ultimately enslave us.

(Are you enjoying the gubmint's mandated Nikon long-lens suppository yet, Comrade?)

Liberator  posted on  2015-03-18   15:26:02 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#5. To: Willie Green (#0)

Asking "[w]ho really rules?" researchers Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page argue that over the past few decades America's political system has slowly transformed from a democracy into an oligarchy, where wealthy elites wield most power.

WOW! There just ain't no getting NUTTING past these guys,is there?

You almost have to wonder how many years of college they had to get under their belts to be able to figure this out.

Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)

sneakypete  posted on  2015-03-18   19:13:18 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#6. To: Jameson (#2)

Without the backstop of laws and programs like the minimum wage, Social Security, Medicare, Medicare, the Veterans Administration, etc.... there would be no middle class or even a lower-middle class.....we would devolve into a two-class society of haves, and have-nots.

Uhhhhh,those very programs are what has CREATED a "Two Tier Society" of haves and have-nots.

People are born in this country "retired in place on welfare",and are so insulated and protected from the reality of the work place that they only time any of them ever work is when it is a condition of their parole.

Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)

sneakypete  posted on  2015-03-18   19:16:36 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#7. To: Liberator (#4)

"Safety net"?? More like a commercial fishing boat net. Only WE have become the dead and dying fish dumped onto the deck, to be devoured. AS PLANNED BY THE ELITES.

Yup. Those were/are the tools used by the elites to destroy the middle-class and devolve America into a fascist state.

BTW,Fascism is a LEFTIST political movement.

Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)

sneakypete  posted on  2015-03-18   19:18:18 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#8. To: Willie Green (#0)

U.S is an Oligarchy, Not a Democracy

It is an oligarchy of the effete social elite and their spoiled incompetent kids.

rlk  posted on  2015-03-18   20:48:16 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#9. To: Liberator (#4)

This so called "safety net" has all been a ruse to grow a Leviathan gubmint, increase dependency on gubmint, reduce dependence, personal responsibility, and liberty...ultimately enslave us.

"... gubmint..." so stereotypical...heh heh heh...

Try to think this through... so you believe (I think correctly...) that the wealthy global elite have effectively "bought" the majority of our elected officials....right?

And, It is fair to conclude that the bulk of the "influence" wielded by these billionaires is directed toward favorable tax treatment and relaxed regulatory oversight on them and their business concerns.

It is also fair to say that these "capitalists" are clamoring for reductions to entitlement spending, domestic infrastructure spending, health and safety regulations and the elimination of the minimum wage.

The wealthy elite could give a shit less about personal responsibility, liberty and individual freedom... they want to crush the middle class and their hopes for a better life to benefit themselves.

You babbled about becoming enslaved....my friend - your blind support of their agenda proves that you are already enslaved.

"we are tartets from evil doers!!!" [ and ] U looked up birfer on the dcitionary. It isn't a movie.

Jameson  posted on  2015-03-20   12:43:36 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


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