America's Democracy Going Down the Tubes

This article/column by Bob Herbert tells the very sad truth about our country. I think too few realize that our democracy has become an oligarchy. While we cheer on other countries to seek democracy in their governments, we have not noticed we are rapidly losing ours. A new American Revolution is needed, but first, the people have to wake up and realize what has happened. As long as the Republicans keep crying out for lower taxes, less regulation for corporations, and more money for defense but fewer government programs for the people, the state of our country will continue to decline to where the drowning middle class and poor are struggling just to keep their heads above water (already happening!) -- while the fat cats sit on their yachts watching the drownings, as they get richer and richer. The "American Dream" is slipping away from all but the wealthiest in the nation.

AMERICAN DEMOCRACY WEAKENS http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/opinion/12herbert.html?ref=global-home
By Bob Herbert, NY Times

EXCERPT: As the throngs celebrated in Cairo, I couldn't help wondering about what is happening to democracy here in the United States. I think it's on the ropes. We're in serious danger of becoming a democracy in name only.

While millions of ordinary Americans are struggling with unemployment and declining standards of living, the levers of real power have been all but completely commandeered by the financial and corporate elite. It doesn't really matter what ordinary people want. The wealthy call the tune, and the politicians dance.

So what we get in this democracy of ours are astounding and increasingly obscene tax breaks and other windfall benefits for the wealthiest, while the bought-and-paid-for politicians hack away at essential public services and the social safety net, saying we can't afford them. One state after another is reporting that it cannot pay its bills. Public employees across the country are walking the plank by the tens of thousands. Camden, NJ, a stricken city with a serious crime problem, laid off nearly half of its police force. Medicaid, the program that provides health benefits to the poor, is under savage assault from nearly all quarters.

The poor, who are suffering from an all-out depression, are never heard from. In terms of their clout, they might as well not exist.