USA is a Plutocracy

[Peter]

This 30 minute video pretty much sums up what I think of our "democracy". Thoughts?

Culture in Decline | Episode #1 "What Democracy?" by Peter Joseph - YouTube

[Darklordabc]

Well there is evidence that money can definitely affect elections, there is no guarantee you can buy them outright. I heard recently, that democracy is not so good because you can elect people like, but rather because you can get rid of people you don't like. Churchill called this "the order of the boot".
No no, America is not a plutocracy.

[barts]

No no, America is not a plutocracy.

Actually, it is a plutocracy.

[Dan74]

Oh wow, what a great revelation. My eyes have been opened.

[Darklordabc]

Actually, it is a plutocracy.

But you agree that if the electorate did not like a president they could vote him out? Like they did with bush? Surely this at least would be semi-democracy. A true plutocracy, the people would have no ability to vote people out, right?

[Jack]

No one voted Bush out. He could only serve eight years, his time in office had expired. I think it would be fair to say that for all intents and purposes the U.S. functions as a plutocracy.

[Darklordabc]

No one voted Bush out. He could only serve eight years, his time in office had expired

Fair enough. But they still voted the republicans out right? Unless a country sets a monetary requirement on voting (like only land owners), then you can not call it a plutocracy, at least not in the strict sense. And as far as I know, voting is something that is open to the poor people of America, as much as the rich.

[Jack]

And as far as I know, voting is something that is open to the poor people of America, as much as the rich.

Only in states that haven't enacted draconian anti-poor and middle class voting restrictions. Besides, voting doesn't mean much if all the candidates are already bought and paid for. You're just picking your favorite corporate shill.

[Dieval]

Only in states that haven't enacted draconian anti-poor and middle class voting restrictions.

Which states have enacted those restrictions?

[Darklordabc]

Besides, voting doesn't mean much if all the candidates are already bought and paid for. You're just picking your favorite corporate shill.

Its too much to believe that all of America's great presidents, were taking orders from corporations. I really don't see Obama spending years and millions of dollars trying to get into office, just so he can follow out BP's agenda. Thats got too much of the conspiracy theory vibe to it.

[Dan74]

Fair enough. But they still voted the republicans out right? Unless a country sets a monetary requirement on voting (like only land owners), then you can not call it a plutocracy, at least not in the strict sense. And as far as I know, voting is something that is open to the poor people of America, as much as the rich.

It doesn't matter. Just because the working class is legally allowed to vote doesn't mean they have representation in the national (and even state) legislatures. You can vote for one capitalist party or the other capitalist party. Elections are bought out by the wealthy, no one can deny this.

[Darklordabc]

It doesn't matter. Just because the working class is legally allowed to vote doesn't mean they have representation in the national (and even state) legislatures. You can vote for one capitalist party or the other capitalist party. Elections are bought out by the wealthy, no one can deny this.

If Communism was popular in America, and not just a dead theory, a communist party would exist and get votes. Ron Paul proves that their is alternatives available to the voter, but the voters don't want weird extremist, they want moderate positions, hence why democrats and republicans are popular