Is America a True Democracy!

The Merriam-Webster defines the word plutocracy has government by the wealthy. A plutocracy is a government where there is very little economic equality and a resemblance of a caste system, where social mobility is limited. Some might even say the Framers established a plutocracy not a democracy by only allowing those who were white, wealthy, and landowners to participate at the advent of the United States. As the rich get richer and the poor get poorer in America the question arises, can a democracy and a plutocracy co-exist? Former Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said, “We can have a democratic society or we can have the concentration of great wealth in the hands of the few. We cannot have both.”

Thomas Jefferson wrote so eloquently in the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. – That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” The U.S. Constitution also becomes perversely inclusive as the first line states, “We the people of the United States…..”

The idea of America has not always lived up to its promise, as some groups have not always shared the unalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In addition, the American government has not always functioned under the auspices of deriving their powers from the consent of the governed – meaning the people. Likewise, the American people have not always lived up to its end of the bargain by participating when the opportunity afforded itself.

Over the past twenty years, two alarming trends have come into focus when evaluating the political canvass in America. The first is learned helplessness. Learned helplessness is a psychological issue that burdens a person into feeling that no matter what they do, they cannot make a difference. Therefore, why vote because my vote does not count. Apathy is the second problem. Apathy is a combination of laziness and emotional withdrawal, or a lack of caring. People do not vote or participate because they just do not care.

If America and the American people are to realize its true potential, we must stop fighting the unseen enemies of Socialism and Marxism and fight the opposition that is staring us right in the face; ourselves and the true American institution of government – Plutocracy!