Only The Rich Have Political Power in America Today

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Jeffrey Sachs, whom Mano Singham describes as an "establishment liberal," has come out of a long silence to write for the Huffington Post.  His article tries to put a high-tech economics analysis on the present situation.  He deplores the fact that "in America today, only the rich have political power," something that Robert Reich says in less than two minutes and fifteen seconds.  It didn't use to be this way; until Ronald Reagan straightened things out for the affluent minority, it used to be one citizen, one vote, rather than one dollar, one vote.

I took a Facebook Quiz this afternoon.  I had to decide whether I agreed with a statement to the effect that The Wealthy are inclined to think that they made it on their own, whereas in actual fact, Society helps them a great deal to amass their fortunes.  In fact, the Government helps them a great deal, by providing roads and education and the infrastructure that they use far more than the average dude, and for which they are not willing to pay proportionally more in taxes.  Lobbyists, Jeffrey says, have far too much influence in Washington.  Everyone knows this, but no one can stop it.  In fact, it appears that the Constitution itself facilitates the means whereby powerful interests can heap support on Congressmen (and Congresswomen) in exchange for political patronage and favors that do not benefit the ordinary citizen.

I'm probably preaching to the choir, but let's not lose sight of the problem.  (Jeffrey Sachs suggests that a third party may help solve the problem.  At least it might make things a little complicated for lobbyists.  But it will probably complicate the lives of the ordinary citizen just as much.)

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