"Who rules America?" By Allan J. Lichtman, contributor at the Hill

[applegrove]

Who rules America?

By Allan J. Lichtman, contributor at the Hill

http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/civil-rights/214857-who-rules-america

"SNIP...........................




A shattering new study by two political science professors has found that ordinary Americans have virtually no impact whatsoever on the making of national policy in our country. The analysts found that rich individuals and business-controlled interest groups largely shape policy outcomes in the United States.

This study should be a loud wake-up call to the vast majority of Americans who are bypassed by their government. To reclaim the promise of American democracy, ordinary citizens must act positively to change the relationship between the people and our government

The new study, with the jaw-clenching title of "Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups, and Average Citizens," is forthcoming in the fall 2014 edition of Perspectives on Politics. Its authors, Martin Gilens of Princeton University and Benjamin Page of Northwestern University, examined survey data on 1,779 national policy issues for which they could gauge the preferences of average citizens, economic elites, mass-based interest groups and business-dominated interest groups. They used statistical methods to determine the influence of each of these four groups on policy outcomes, including both policies that are adopted and rejected.

The analysts found that when controlling for the power of economic elites and organized interest groups, the influence of ordinary Americans registers at a "non-significant, near-zero level." The analysts further discovered that rich individuals and business-dominated interest groups dominate the policymaking process. The mass-based interest groups had minimal influence compared to the business-based interest groups.


Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/civil-rights/214857-who-rules-america#ixzz3AEZD7USg
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............................SNIP"

[applegrove]

1. The study also debunks the notion that the policy preferences of business and the rich reflect the v

"The study also debunks the notion that the policy preferences of business and the rich reflect the views of common citizens. They found to the contrary that such preferences often sharply diverge and when they do, the economic elites and business interests almost always win and the ordinary Americans lose."

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/civil-rights/214857-who-rules-america#ixzz3AEZRhU1g
Follow us: @thehill on Twitter | TheHill on Facebook

[cantbeserious]

2. The Oligarchs, Corporations And Banks Own And Control The Politicians That Own And Control Us

eom

[bigtree]

3. rec

[Scootaloo]

4. MasterBlaster runs Bartertown

[Octafish]

15. Absolute Super Top Secret Masters of Wall Street on the Potomac

[riderinthestorm]

5. I actually love insider gossip Washington rags. This one however is backed with facts

Fascinating.

K&R

Here's the big take away line though:

If only they vote and organize, ordinary Americans can reclaim American democracy and challenge the politicians who still echo the view of old Vanderbilt that the public should be damned.



Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/civil-rights/214857-who-rules-america#ixzz3AEahh6hl
Follow us: @thehill on Twitter | TheHill on Facebook

[Ilsa]

6. This article even got picked up by Avow*, a website for

Survivalist mormons. I was surprised to see it, given how RW that site is. I wonder who they can rationslize blaming for this?

*A couple of years ago, I was researching storing food and making a pantry with about three months of food stored for us. A friend sent me their website link. I got a few emails from them and I think I unsubscribed. Now I'm getting emails again. I don't like their site and others like it because of the hate they spew.

[betterdemsonly]

7. I don't see how you can blame the average American for not forming

pacs. We don't have that much money. Also, blaming us for not voting is silly too, since in many cases the candidates don't talk about issues we care about. The rich finance the candidates, and the lobbying. My biggest problem isn't lack of participation in the general election, but in the primary process where we do have a chance of getting good candidates.

[woo me with science]

8. K&R

[rhett o rick]

9. I think most Americans understand this already. Millions don't bother to vote and many of

those that vote are in denial, believing their vote matters.

[RKP5637]

11. Some days I think WTF, especially with Citizens United, there is so much money and

propaganda flying around. Millions and millions and millions of dollars buying elections, and then a request to me for $3.00. Sometimes I mention what is going on in the country IMO and all I get is a deer in the headlight look from friends and acquaintances. They really don't seem to care, seemingly thinking things are so far out of their reach to make any change. Most I have to prod to vote, I tell them to pay attention to local elections.

DU is a special group, DU keeps me going. Some days I get so fed up with everything, without DU I think I might not give a F either. I've been very disappointed with the current administration. Often I think elections are getting to be a joke.

[easychoice]

10. The people who own America and have for 100 yr.'s

There are a few names missing but these are your owners.

http://www.nndb.com/lists/439/000127058/

[RKP5637]

12. Yep, that's about it ... with better communications I think more individuals are

realizing how manipulated and controlled they are ... while many still think they steer the direction of the country. The militarization of local police is not by chance.

[bklyncowgirl]

13. Here's a link to the actual study

http://www.polisci.northwestern.edu/people/documents/TestingTheoriesOfAmericanPoliticsFINALforProduction6March2014.pdf

[DemocratSinceBirth]

14. This isn't a revelation, is it?/nt

[GliderGuider]

16. Can somebody remind me why I should vote?

Instead of using my energy, time and money to do things that will actually make a positive difference to someone else's life?

The ballot is a symbol that has lost both its power and its meaning, in the US as well as up here in Canuckistan.

[Romulox]

18. You must vote in order to legitimize the power of the elites' candidates.

Then, like Barack Obama or George W. Bush, our Dear Leader can claim a "mandate" (to bomb Iraq, and to bomb Iraq, respectively.)

You know, just like the people wanted!

[GliderGuider]

19. It was so obvious that I missed it! Thank you, thank you.

May I leave Room 101 now?

[rhett o rick]

21. Many of those few that do vote believe that as long as they get to vote, they are free.

And The Powers That Be still think it's necessary to give us more than one candidate so we really feel we are making a difference. But if one of the candidates is John McCain or Mittens, do you really have a choice?

[deutsey]

20. Reaganism: Mission Accomplished!

[hifiguy]

22. Nice to see an academic study that proves

exactly what anyone who has been paying attention has known for the last 34 years. Not being sarcastic, but independent investigation and proof of the facts are always a good thing to have.