USA, a democracy, a democratic republic, or something else?

[dfgrbac]

Most Americans who are awake realize that we, the people, are not in charge of our government anymore. Although about half of the eligible voters vote, we have few real choices after the "political parties" present their candidates to us. Even during the primaries, the massive corporate propaganda media machine keeps our thinking in line so they don't lose what they have control over - namely us. Many states with Republican controlled Congresses have even canceled the primaries for next year. This gives the corporate puppets much stronger influence over who gets nominated.

In today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, writers Michael Cudahy and Jock Gill say Stop the plutocracy!

In this opinion piece, they provided these comments:

Recently Kevin Phillips, former chief political strategist for Richard Nixon and author of "Wealth and Democracy," said he no longer believes that democracy even exists in this country, but has in fact been replaced by a plutocracy -- a government controlled by its wealthiest individuals to promote their own specific agenda.

... It has now taken over politics, and takes it over on both sides when money not only talks, money screams.

...

What has happened is that the rich in this country have decided that they are willing to spend whatever it takes not just to buy an occasional senator or congressman, not the president or the vice president, but the entire system. They have purchased laws and government contracts, tax loopholes and the White House. And, they have shielded their purchases in layers of executive and governmental protections.

And what are the implications of this corrupt purchase?

Well, intelligent people don't have to think too hard to figure that out, although the writers do provide their opinion.

We have little doubt that the vast majority of middle-class voters would embrace a presidential candidate who stepped forward and expressed positions designed to restore their position of strength in American society.

A candidate who understands that Americans hunger for boldness and innovation. A candidate who understands that the power of ideas, eloquently articulated will defeat money, and its plutocracy, in this arid climate of greed and acquisition.

It is what Teddy Roosevelt would do.

Is there one out there?

Yes, there is one, but only one! Dennis Kucinich!

[ProudToBeLiberal]

1. We're a representative democracy

[dfgrbac]

4. Maybe it is a "representative democracy" technically, but ...

Read what Ben Franklin had to say just before he signed the Constitution:

Early imperial aspects of the U.S. Constitution were noted by none other than Benjamin Franklin at the 1787 Constitutional Convention as Gore Vidal pointed out in We are The Patriots in the June 2, 2003 issue of The Nation. Franklin felt the Constitution had great faults, but voted for it saying, "There is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and I believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in Despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need a despotic Government, being incapable of any other."

Signer Thomas Jefferson was in favor of having regularly scheduled constitutional conventions over the years to tweak changes as the events exposed deficiencies in the Constitution.

So, as Kevin Phillips said, we are no longer a democracy - representative or otherwise!

[a_lil_wall_fly]

2. Yes it is a plutocratic system but i would add oligarchy too it.

Since it is "the go'ole boys" in charge. Not every rich person is not truly trying to take charge. Hence we live right now in a plutocratic oligarchy or an oligarchic plutocracy.

[cosmicdot]

3. under current operating mode - something else

sometimes I think we're becoming what was once painted as "the Soviet Union"

no freedom of speech
Tass/Pravda = Faux/CNN
a Congress which just "rubber stamps"
corporate boards as sub-groups to the politburo
state store = G.U.M. = Wal-Mart

Corporate Feudal society

[burr]

5. we are the United Exclusivewealth of the World...

the commanwealth is now an outdated dream for the idealists, radicals, and freedom fighters..who are "unwitting participants" in the spreading of evil doing and terrorism. Only an exclusive, but wise wealthy minority can be trusted to determine what is in our best interest. No more shall the burdens of self-determination, critical policy making, or doubt be forced upon the underpaid, overworked commaners. They will finally receive the relief they have long wished for, and those in the wealthy minority will generously provide such relief as the patriotic commaners' reward.

But now we are in a new century, and a new millennium. Our time of destiny is upon us. GOD BLESS AMERICA...And GOD SAVE THE KINGDOM OF TOMMORROW!

I am your humble servant,

the dictator..

[PSU84]

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[PSU84]

6. We're a

federal republic.

Federal as in governmental powers divided among the states and the national government.

Republic as in elected representatives making the laws rather than the voters.

Anyway, that is the "technical" answer to your question....

[burr]

7. I see...

Federalized in that our President is chosen for us by pre-selected electors on a state-by-state basis.

[genius]

8. Dictatorship

Absent a voter-verifiable paper trail, voting is just for show.

[cryofan]

9. mercantilist oligarchy

The only way out is to elect politicians who support proportional representation.

Do any of the presidential candidates besides Kucincich do that?

[burr]

10. Dean now supports a commission to consider these reforms...

"A National Commission to Strengthen American Democracy. There are many other important ideas to explore. I would establish a commission of ordinary Americans — not politicians — to consider such cutting edge ideas as instant runoff voting, Internet voting, nonpartisan primaries, an Election Day holiday and abolition of the Electoral College. American patriots established our democracy and American patriots can reinvigorate it."

I think all such reforms...election day as a holiday, proportional representation, instant runoff voting, nonpartison primaries, and the abolition of the Electoral College would receive the overwhelming support of the public. :thumbsup: