USA not a Democracy. Is this a surprise to anyone?

[lovbyts]

Princeton Concludes What Kind of Government America Really Has, and It's Not a Democracy

The news: A new scientific study from Princeton researchers Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page has finally put some science behind the recently popular argument that the United States isn't a democracy any more. And they've found that in fact, America is basically an oligarchy.


An oligarchy is a system where power is effectively wielded by a small number of individuals defined by their status called oligarchs. Members of the oligarchy are the rich, the well connected and the politically powerful, as well as particularly well placed individuals in institutions like banking and finance or the military.


For their study, Gilens and Page compiled data from roughly 1,800 different policy initiatives in the years between 1981 and 2002. They then compared those policy changes with the expressed opinion of the United State public. Comparing the preferences of the average American at the 50th percentile of income to what those Americans at the 90th percentile preferred, as well as the opinions of major lobbying or business groups, the researchers found out that the government followed the directives set forth by the latter two much more often.

It's beyond alarming. As Gilens and Page write, "the preferences of the average American appear to have only a minuscule, near-zero, statistically non-significant impact upon public policy." In other words, their statistics say your opinion literally does not matter.

Princeton Concludes What Kind of Government America Really Has, and It's Not a Democracy - PolicyMic

[Rwy]

How can a country run by corruption, legal bribery with an enormous gap in inequality be a democracy?

On top of that look at the last four presidential elections. 2012-Obama bought his own people. 2008- No republican had a shot after George Bushes disaster and FACEBOOK played a huge role. 2004 - I have no idea how Bush won given the state of the economy, a huge failed Iraq war, no weapons of mass destruction. I would assume religion played a huge part. 2000 election was a failed recount that Bush should have lost.

Does this sound like things are run by a democracy?

[Chicagotarsier]

It is the two party system. If the Dems are "evil" you have to vote Rep to stop them!! Vice versa. Reality TV 101 lol.

If you look at China and the USAQ..little difference especially in Hong Kong. In HK they say..here are the two you can vote for..not choose the less of two evils..ie...who is the better BS artist. I pinpoint the moment the current spiral occured in the USA was the moment Clinton entered office. I sure can tell you it was like normal life int he military and then the bean counters came in and turned a prideful thing into complete BS imho.

Do a search for "Millionaires Surrendering USA Passport" Everyday 30-60 more millionaires are leaving the USA permanently. It is becoming another Europe Socialist mess and the businesses do not want to deal with the red tape or pay the level of taxes. GE makes 14 Billion in profit and pays 0 taxes. I amke 6 figures and pay 12% after deductions....really? Really? I will pay my 2% tax in my chosen country of business and F the BS. Until the Socialist money runs out I do not see it changing anytime soon.

But I still take my vitamins and say my prayers just like Hulk Hogan tells me to.

Sorry but the Iraq war was not failed. It went as planned. I admire Colin Powell very highly and one reason is he said F-you to going into Iraq again without a clear "win" defined. He got black balled and kicked to the curb. The whole "for profit to private firms owned by a chosen few in Iraq is obvious and well defined. Why I no longer wear the uniform...but make no mistake...I still aim small and miss small.

Liberty is where you make it. Mine is on 50 HA of land on a tropical island. Behind the walls I own is my own government, weapons, and lifestyle.

How can a country run by corruption, legal bribery with an enormous gap in inequality be a democracy?

On top of that look at the last four presidential elections. 2012-Obama bought his own people. 2008- No republican had a shot after George Bushes disaster and FACEBOOK played a huge role. 2004 - I have no idea how Bush won given the state of the economy, a huge failed Iraq war, no weapons of mass destruction. I would assume religion played a huge part. 2000 election was a failed recount that Bush should have lost.

Does this sound like things are run by a democracy?

[Euroholic]

"Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."


Old churchill 1947

[Rwy]

It is the two party system. If the Dems are "evil" you have to vote Rep to stop them!! Vice versa. Reality TV 101 lol.

If you look at China and the USAQ..little difference especially in Hong Kong. In HK they say..here are the two you can vote for..not choose the less of two evils..ie...who is the better BS artist. I pinpoint the moment the current spiral occured in the USA was the moment Clinton entered office. I sure can tell you it was like normal life int he military and then the bean counters came in and turned a prideful thing into complete BS imho.

Do a search for "Millionaires Surrendering USA Passport" Everyday 30-60 more millionaires are leaving the USA permanently. It is becoming another Europe Socialist mess and the businesses do not want to deal with the red tape or pay the level of taxes. GE makes 14 Billion in profit and pays 0 taxes. I amke 6 figures and pay 12% after deductions....really? Really? I will pay my 2% tax in my chosen country of business and F the BS. Until the Socialist money runs out I do not see it changing anytime soon.

But I still take my vitamins and say my prayers just like Hulk Hogan tells me to.

Sorry but the Iraq war was not failed. It went as planned. I admire Colin Powell very highly and one reason is he said F-you to going into Iraq again without a clear "win" defined. He got black balled and kicked to the curb. The whole "for profit to private firms owned by a chosen few in Iraq is obvious and well defined. Why I no longer wear the uniform...but make no mistake...I still aim small and miss small.

Liberty is where you make it. Mine is on 50 HA of land on a tropical island. Behind the walls I own is my own government, weapons, and lifestyle.

What do you feel was the purpose of the Iraqi war? Removing Saddam? I agree a two party system is a huge reason for all of these issues nowadays.

[Times Roman]

our political system, at the federal level, is a republic. means our electoral colleagues votes on our behalf. This became extremely obvious during the Bush/Gore presidential election. Gore won the popular vote, yet Bush won because he received more votes from the electoral college. This is the formal structure of our voting system.

[Times Roman]

What do you feel was the purpose of the Iraqi war? Removing Saddam? I agree a two party system is a huge reason for all of these issues nowadays.

I believe that if Gore had won the election, then the second Iraqi war would not have taken place. Bush Jr. went to war since there was still unfinished family business, and he "finished" what his old man couldn't or didn't.

BTW, I am NOT a Gore Supporter, so don't go down that path. I'm a Libertarian, not a democrat.

[Rwy]

our political system, at the federal level, is a republic. means our electoral colleagues votes on our behalf. This became extremely obvious during the Bush/Gore presidential election. Gore won the popular vote, yet Bush won because he received more votes from the electoral college. This is the formal structure of our voting system.

Yea I understand this. At the end of the day its not a popular vote and Bush won more states even though Gore had more votes. Its a win with an *

[Rwy]

I believe that if Gore had won the election, then the second Iraqi war would not have taken place. Bush Jr. went to war since there was still unfinished family business, and he "finished" what his old man couldn't or didn't.

BTW, I am NOT a Gore Supporter, so don't go down that path. I'm a Libertarian, not a democrat.

I agree with this. I am anti politician at this point in my life. They are all out for themselves. I am just curious about why he thinks the the war in Iraq was not failed and if it was to remove Saddam. The cost incurred and lives lost to remove Sadam (even though I agree it needed to happen) are not justified. It could have been done in an efficent manner

[dk94]

the united states needs a leader that will restore a true constitutional republic, some one who will work on lowering the debt and uniting people as americans rather than the splitting of people based on ideology. Im personally a fan of rand paul, I believe hes the best hope the usa has in the near future.