The United States is a republic. Therefore, it is an oligarchy. We just have to accept this fact. Oligarchies can be benevolent (if they are liberal—if they are dedicated to spreading the wealth that capitalism generates to ALL the people), or they can be malevolent (if they are dedicated to concentrating wealth in the hands of the richest and most powerful among us).

I am a capitalist and a liberal. I favor a benign oligarchy that enriches us all, but I will not deceive myself by thinking that the United States isn’t an oligarchy. It is, for better or for worse.

Accepting the truth as you perceive it IS NOT brainwashing. It’s just painful acceptance of truths that your previous belief system could not encompass.

-Laelth