corruption, nepotism and outright gangsterism has been part of human society since ever. and it will never go away. It is only a question of how pervasive it is. On the minimal scale we get basically decent and egalitarian societies such as Norway, Finland Australia etc on the other scale we have countries such as North Korea, Syria and Iran. Where does the USA fall on this scale of shame?
Over the last 30 years I sadly watched the US become ever more corrupt and undemocratic. Starting with the Reagan tax giveaways and greatly accelerating with the anointment of the loser in the 2000 presidential election by the supreme court. The election of Obama only slowed the process to a corrupt oligarchy not reversed it.
Last year movie "The Dictator" by Sacha Baron captured the essence of our failing democracy and this segment is a must view.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1E9MiUECXU
Matt Taibbi a long critic of wall street and the politicians that enable it wrote extensively about the similarities of wall street business practices and the Mafia. here is a sample from his June 21 article "The scam wall street learned from the Mafia"
But USA v. Carollo marks the first time we actually got incontrovertible evidence that Wall Street has moved into this cartel-type brand of criminality. It also offered a disgusting glimpse into the enabling and grossly cynical role played by politicians, who took Super Bowl tickets and bribe-stuffed envelopes to look the other way while gangsters raided the public kitty.
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What would it take to actually move the US to a more just and progressive direction?
or with the consequences of citizen united decision, gerrymandering and the determination of the right to suppress voting and change the rules in its favor makes it impossible to achieve progress?