Democracy in America? Only for Republicrats, Maybe
Sputnik US
The Sunday talks shows are already full of discussion about potential 2016 presidential candidates. Two familiar names are being bandied around: Bush and Clinton. Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush are considered the most likely contenders.
It is the perfect demonstration of the two-party lock on power in the United States. Not only do Democrats and Republicans maintain a hold on government at all levels, there are favored dynasties within those parties.
“There is no way you can call this a democracy," former Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein said in a conversation with Sputnik.
Every four years, the American public is inundated with spectacular promises, fervent speeches, and edgy campaign commercials coming from presidential candidates representing just two political parties. Democrats and Republicans. Republicans and Democrats. The same, albeit on a lesser scale, takes place every two years with congressional and gubernatorial candidates across the country. The influence of the two establishment parties in the American political system is so overwhelming that hardly any other political players are allowed on the field.
Yet, according to a recent Gallup poll, more than 60% of Americans are not satisfied with the performance of the bipartisan system in the country.
Apart from arcane and complex rules designed to discourage and make it more difficult for alternative political candidates to compete for positions in the executive and legislative branch, the two-party establishment has also essentially rigged the televised debates watched by millions of American voters.
“Debates are controlled by a private corporation run by Democrats and Republicans," says Stein. “At every level, the establishment parties are doing everything possible to lock third party candidates out of the debates."
The official list of sponsors of the Commission on Presidential Debates in the last election cycle (2012) consisted of such firms as Anheuser-Busch, The Howard Buffett Foundation, and the Kovler Fund — organizations that, unlike the majority of the American people, feel quite comfortable within the confines of the current political system.
Stein also places a lot of blame on the media noting the two-party duopoly’s power goes beyond the White House and Congress
"The press is completely in collusion with the economic elite in this country,” Stein said. "We are experiencing a press blackout and lockout of third party candidates."
Stein offers hope, however, saying that third-parties "have to fight harder and organize better, as well as work more closely with responsible independent press outlets and the social media."
Sentiments like these should probably make Foggy Bottom and other government agencies think twice about criticizing foreign states and governments on political transparency and adherence to democratic principles. After all, what lessons could nations around the world take American republic in its current state? A lesson in stifling free political debate. Another one in controlling mainstream press coverage to exclude unwanted political competitors.
And yet another one in ignoring the wishes of a clear majority of the populace for viable political alternatives to the ruling establishment.
Contributed by Viktor Olevich.
“There is no way you can call this a democracy," former Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein said in a conversation with Sputnik.
Every four years, the American public is inundated with spectacular promises, fervent speeches, and edgy campaign commercials coming from presidential candidates representing just two political parties. Democrats and Republicans. Republicans and Democrats. The same, albeit on a lesser scale, takes place every two years with congressional and gubernatorial candidates across the country. The influence of the two establishment parties in the American political system is so overwhelming that hardly any other political players are allowed on the field.
Yet, according to a recent Gallup poll, more than 60% of Americans are not satisfied with the performance of the bipartisan system in the country.
Apart from arcane and complex rules designed to discourage and make it more difficult for alternative political candidates to compete for positions in the executive and legislative branch, the two-party establishment has also essentially rigged the televised debates watched by millions of American voters.
“Debates are controlled by a private corporation run by Democrats and Republicans," says Stein. “At every level, the establishment parties are doing everything possible to lock third party candidates out of the debates."
The official list of sponsors of the Commission on Presidential Debates in the last election cycle (2012) consisted of such firms as Anheuser-Busch, The Howard Buffett Foundation, and the Kovler Fund — organizations that, unlike the majority of the American people, feel quite comfortable within the confines of the current political system.
Stein also places a lot of blame on the media noting the two-party duopoly’s power goes beyond the White House and Congress
"The press is completely in collusion with the economic elite in this country,” Stein said. "We are experiencing a press blackout and lockout of third party candidates."
Stein offers hope, however, saying that third-parties "have to fight harder and organize better, as well as work more closely with responsible independent press outlets and the social media."
Sentiments like these should probably make Foggy Bottom and other government agencies think twice about criticizing foreign states and governments on political transparency and adherence to democratic principles. After all, what lessons could nations around the world take American republic in its current state? A lesson in stifling free political debate. Another one in controlling mainstream press coverage to exclude unwanted political competitors.
And yet another one in ignoring the wishes of a clear majority of the populace for viable political alternatives to the ruling establishment.
Contributed by Viktor Olevich.
