Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
America has become an oligarchy of the rich, and it has been for a while, now.
https://signalpress.blogspot.com/2026/02/if-were-honest-theres-plenty-of.htmlAre we really all that surprised that the slowly releasing Epstein files contains so many recognizeable names of politicians and millionaires and billionaires who all apparently thought that the law doesn't apply to them and that they could buy their way out of difficulty with contributions to just the right politicians or judges or influence peddlers? Some of it did make its way into the media, though increasingly, it seems that the price paid by the wealthy in America to enjoy flaunting the law and indulging in personal debauchery also includes owning pieces of the media for control and editing purposes.
This has been a gradual process. The origination point came somewhere during the Reagan Administration. It was more of an enforcement issue back then, in the justice department, when it seemed that regulations designed to protect Americans from what I call exploitation were relaxes in favor of profit margins and unrestrained business practices. But of course, money flows into politics when that becomes the primary means of keeping the flow going. During the Dubya Bush Administration, the invitation was laid out for the rich to buy the government's favor and its been downhill ever since then.
This has been a gradual process. The origination point came somewhere during the Reagan Administration. It was more of an enforcement issue back then, in the justice department, when it seemed that regulations designed to protect Americans from what I call exploitation were relaxes in favor of profit margins and unrestrained business practices. But of course, money flows into politics when that becomes the primary means of keeping the flow going. During the Dubya Bush Administration, the invitation was laid out for the rich to buy the government's favor and its been downhill ever since then.
At the risk of sounding cynical, I don't think there is anything that can be done about it. The Roman Empire lasted a thousand years, before interior rot caused its demise. The United States of America may not last 250 years. And when it comes to being a people capable of defending our principles, well, I don't think the will is there. We've been spoiled by prosperity, and the nagging problems of humanity, which seems to always act on its worst instincts and the lowest part of human nature, are hard to overcome.
Even the most progressive elements of liberal democracy do not seem to be able to bring about the kind of reform that will be neccessary to keep this country together, and able to sustain itself in an uncertain future. We seem to be using wealth to perpetuate the wealthy, and to build technological tools capable of utter destruction for a profit. For all it has created, our democratic republic and its idealism has lasted for just a tiny slice of world history. If it is no longer sustainable, then what, really, have we achieved?
Even the most progressive elements of liberal democracy do not seem to be able to bring about the kind of reform that will be neccessary to keep this country together, and able to sustain itself in an uncertain future. We seem to be using wealth to perpetuate the wealthy, and to build technological tools capable of utter destruction for a profit. For all it has created, our democratic republic and its idealism has lasted for just a tiny slice of world history. If it is no longer sustainable, then what, really, have we achieved?
