Is the United States an oligarchy? (Ron Paul, Representatives, party, election)

[Opin_Yunated]

Simple poll.

Discuss.

[desertdetroiter]

You'd damn sure better believe it. We're the very definition of an oligarchy.

[BentBow]

Ron Paul isn't looking so old, or nutty, is he?

[Opin_Yunated]

So what are we going to do about it?

[westhou]

Definitely oligarchy. But that's just the way the world works. You'll find it pretty hard to find any developed country that isn't an oligarchy.

[MJJersey]

Of course. Has there ever been one country that was a true republic?

[Xander_Crews]

America is an oligarchy, not a democracy or republic, university study finds

Yup, pretty clear... What do we do about it? Well left vs. right squabbling doesn't help, so maybe we knock that off?

This isn't new either, just the fact that people are starting to notice in greater numbers is, these guys had it figured out in '82....

Presidential election every four years
But neither man we can see or hear
Urgent cries for society
But he can't see the blood on me
Do you see?
Do you see too much for me?
Try that with our oligarchy,
Try that with our oligarchy
Oligarchy, oligarchy
??

[Goinback2011]

Oligarchy. Of the one percent by the one percent and for the one percent.

They use the leeches to give the illusion of legitimacy.

[No_Recess]

Originally Posted by Opin_Yunated

So what are we going to do about it?

1. Stop voting.

Seriously. All you're doing is legitamizing the oligarchy when you do so because even frustrated folks look at the candidates and totals and think it's hopeless. There is absolutely no difference between a D and an R anyway.

2. Don't live in fear. This leads to the "lesser of 2 evils" mindset. And as I pointed out, there is only one choice anyway. Don't panic and think conforming to the fake choice paradigm will comfort or save you. It won't.

3. Embrace self-sufficiency.

The government and private sector are one in the same in our plutocratic oligarchy. Neither party cares about you. Oh sure, some of their back room deals with union heads or CEOs of Wall Street may actually appear to benefit you but it's an illusion. McDonald's CEO isn't out to make burgers...he/she is out to make money. Union presidents don't make deals for their workers...they make deals for themselves.

4. Embrace libertarianism/reject force as a means to govern. Regulation is force...plain and simple. And it doesn't make sense either. Think: we live in a country where people go hungry yet to catch and eat a fish you have to ask permission, pay a fee, and then must report your activities. You can catch Fish A only on certain days of the year, can't be over X pounds, have to file a report, can only catch another fish after X amount of time has passed.

These things are a start. We're all going to be hypocrites to a certain extent but don't pretend your union, bank, or government are actually keeping you safe and your lifestyle going. The oligarchs are using your labor to steal what is rightfully ours: resources.

[dsjj251]

We are a nation that has a constitution

We are a nation where every citizen 18 or older is allowed to vote, and they choose our representatives.

We are a nation where our elected representatives debate our possible laws and submit them to our President for approval, and if he does so, it becomes law.

That makes us a Constitutional Democratic Republic.