Americans: what do you know about your plutocracy? Radio show explains

[MarxSchmarx]

Although many in America understand that the rich run the show, few people, even leftists, appreciate the mechanics of how this works.

Here's a semi-entertaining radio documentary that lays out how exactly the corporate rich govern the country through a system of legalized bribary.

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/461/transcript

Note it takes about 1 hour, so listen to it during your commute or something.

Of course there are other areas through which the ruling class cement their rule, but one of the most basic approach to wielding power is the crafting of laws. There was a lot I learned from, I suspect I am not alone.

[Delenda Carthago]

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[MarxSchmarx]

Here's a passage from the radio story I found particularly illustrative:


I would spend two or three hours a day as a congressman trying to raise money...

(narrator) in special offices set up by the parties specifically for this purpose. Special offices because federal law prohibits lawmakers from making fundraising calls from their own congressional offices.




Congress person: If you walked in there, you would say, boy, this is about the worst looking, most abusive call center situation I've seen in my life. These people don't have any workspace. The other person is virtually touching them. Just counters on the wall with telephones and people eight inches away from you, talking on the telephone...

We sit at these desks with stacks of names in front of us, and short bios, and histories of giving.