“Today it is clearer than ever: We are engaged in a great battle for the future of constitutional democracy in America. Nothing less.”
~~ President, Brennan Center for Justice, NYU Law School
Flawed Democracy
U.S. is still a “Flawed Democracy”: “Differences of opinion in the US have hardened into political sectarianism and institutional gridlock”. In 2020, the Functioning of Government “fell to a new low” (International Democracy Index 2020)
Aristocratic
Privileged, self-perpetuating ruling class supported by plutocracy.
Killing Markets
Degrading both the Political & Economic marketplaces.
No Trust
Only 18% trust Government to“do the right thing” (historic low) (Pew)
Gallup
75% say “Government corruption widespread” (worst Western democracy)
Rasmussen 2016
81% say “Federal Government is corrupt”
#2 Issue for U.S. Millennials
Govt/Corruption (Inequality #1) (World Ec. Forum 2018)
Ruling demographics
Plutocrats | Career politicians | Party functionaries | Lawyer/lobbyist
The Two Party Business Model
Branding | Propaganda | Imagery | Sophistry
Mad Men marketing
Sloganeering | Demagoguery | Staged rallies
“Play to Your Base,” dog-whistle “Others”
Cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, gender prejudice.
A Fractured Nation
Intentional, fomented civic polarization for vote-pandering & fund-raising.
Poison Politics
Scapegoating | Blame-game | Deadlock | Splintered factions-within-factions.