CMV: We don’t live in a democracy

I’m sure the vast majority of people in the US want the Epstein case to be resolved transparently and for all perpetrators to be held accountable. But neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have done much about it. So no matter who people vote for, they don’t get what they want. They have no real power. Isn’t this all just bullshit?

The real power lies with billionaires and ultra wealthy individuals who can influence politics through their money. Money creates influence, and influence creates political power. Recognizing this is not a matter of envy or attacking successful people. It is about acknowledging that concentrated wealth can become concentrated political power, and that this power needs to be limited to protect a functioning democracy.

A true democracy should not only mean choosing representatives every few years and then having no meaningful influence until the next election. Citizens should regularly have the ability to directly vote on important decisions that affect their lives. Even more importantly, people should have a say in which issues are put to a vote in the first place. If politicians alone decide which topics are discussed and which decisions reach the public, then they can continue to avoid the issues that matter most to ordinary people.