Has the US government turned into a Plutocracy?

Question

The term "plutocracy" is formally defined as government by the wealthy, and is also sometimes used to refer to a wealthy class that controls a government, often from behind the scenes. More generally, a plutocracy is any form of government in which the wealthy exercise the preponderance of political power, whether directly or indirectly.

With all our politicians selling out America in favor of big companies, and Bush wanting the Immigration Bill passed for cheap labor, and all the power the corporate lobbyists have, isn't a Plutocracy really what our government has turned into?

Answer 1

It began in earnest with Nixon, Reagan made greed a "good word" and Bush doesn't care what the hell you think.

From the plutocratic point of view, businesses and corporations simply cannot make their owners, executives, or shareholders obscenely wealthy enough without breaking the backs of the poor and working class. For the affluent to afford multiple multi-million dollar homes, cars that cost more than many homes, yachts, trophy wives, and jet-setting lifestyles, the poor must remain extremely poor. Freeing businesses (and corporations) of pesky impediments like paying taxes, having to negotiate with labor unions, and legal accountability for death or injury resulting from their products or services are essential to ensuring astronomical profits to fulfill the extravagant "needs" of the rich. Cutting "socialist government hand-outs" to the poor enables the plutocrats to give themselves additional tax breaks. In the New Corporatcracy, the elderly, the working class, victimized consumers, the homeless, minorities, the disabled, the sick, and the poor will increasingly discover that they are on their own as Social Darwinists implement "survival of the fittest (with the fattest wallets) policies through the government.

Answer 2

Well that's a very good question.
Many of the values which we were taught would add to a better world have been corrupted by the powers that be, for their own gain. No question. That matter of scale has never been so large.
To put it in it's perspective, think of how much a ball player makes. Scale that up ( since the political class won't want to seem cheap ), and you can see the vast amounts being used to buy "access".

A major concern is the "statue of liberty" play. The politicians will have the news media going in one direction, while they are planning a move in the other. The easy access to information is a real threat. So expect them to be planning a new "dark age".

Answer 3

Are you new here sir? Just stumble in sir?

Any system that does not fully seperate business from state will eventually develop into a plutocracy.

The problem is, by fundamental human nature, you can't ever fully seperate wealth and power. All you can really do is slow down the process.

This is one of the reasons why there are revolutions. Eventually almost all the wealth and power gets accumulated to an elite few, and people revolt.

Socialism and communism were created as a result of this endless cycle, however since they go against basic human nature they end up failing in their pure form.

However, we have taken a lesson from the Romans. They had a plutocracy for centuries, What kept people from revolting? Entertainment. If you can keep a majority of the populace entertained and distracted, you can pretty much get away with anything you want.

In the day of TV and the internet, the majority of Americans are more wrapped up in Survivor and American Idol than world events. The majority of Americans are focused more on keeping up with the Joneses than keeping up on what the government is doing. Confronted with poverty or the homeless, people avert their gaze and quickly walk on by.

We are very self-centered. Unless something directly affects our lives, we are more likely to just ignore it.

As long as the wealthy and the powerful provide just enough to keep the masses distracted, they will remain in power. As long as you can keep people believing in the rags-to-riches story (exceptionally rare), then you can keep you're place.

For proof you need to look no further than our absolutely abysmal voter turnout.

~X~

Answer 4

Indeed it is. The government has a "rotating door" for corporate execs and lobbyists. You work in congress, then come corporation pays you a lot. Eventually, if you do get back into power, you'll be expected to implement legislation for the corporation that supported you.

But I would say oligarchy, or a combination of the 2. Just look at how Bush keeps on appointing his drinking buddies and people like chemical company execs to positions like the EPA! Not necessarily rich people (although a disproportionate amount of the candidates are), but just in his favor.

Also, more power has been concentrated into the white house then ever before. Ever since his election, the Bush administration has endlessly worked to expand the powers of the president. Many republicans feel a hatred towards what they view as a "limiting" of the presidents powers since the Watergate scandal (actually, not much was done to limit the president's powers), but they endlessly worked to expand their powers.

We need to change this. It is may bankrupt the US, all at our expense.

Answer 5

Our country has become a fascism country!! Where the elite and rich control the government. A great example of fascism was Germany under Hitlers command. If you want to make a change the fair tax must be put into effect. Why? cause the lobbyist and special interest groups can no longer give contributions to these officials(or to buy votes). Also if you are tired of government as usual go to the sites below and learn what you can do to help!!

Answer 6

Maybe, you'd prefer another term, oligarchy?

Oligarchy (Greek Ὀλιγαρχία, Oligarkhía) is a form of government where political power effectively rests with a small, elite segment of society (whether distinguished by wealth, family or military prowess). The word oligarchy is from the Greek words for "few" (ὀλίγον óligon) and "rule" (ἄρχω arkho).

Answer 7

We certainly have a Mickey Mouse democracy, merely what are we meant to be vote casting on? not between the events is telling us because it fairly is for concern of being dumped. this can be the 1st election is which each occasion has the comparable manifesto this is, " we are telling you not something until eventually you % us." it is cowardice of the 1st order and is ridiculous interior the severe.

Answer 8

So what you're really saying, very politely is, "Stop calling it an aristocracy. It's truly a plutocracy!"
Yes it is, Jane. I'm with you. Of course, sometimes it needs to be explained to the neo-you-know-whats , so you may need to repost this question every few days until they understand, too.

Answer 9

I can think of no other word that could fit any better than the word Plutocracy! What a nightmarish state of affairs we have. We the People must take back our country from the hijackers, who have stolen it from us! *sm*

Answer 10

America has always been, but they have been able to keep it that way, despite the free flow of information and ideas via the internet. By this time, you would think that people would have figured out what is going on, but they continue to vote for people like george bush, hillary, or Rudy Giuliani. They WILL try to regulate the internet soon to stop the free flow of ideas and information, bet on that.

Hopefully people will wake up before the new world order takes over by election. Hopefully someone like Ron Paul will be break through.


Edit: Lots of good answers here.