Political Power: How American Politics Became a Stage for Wealth
June 30, 2025•472 words
"We have two governments in Washington: one run by elected people who are not really in charge, and one run by permanent officials who control the levers of power." ~ David Talbot
"The politicians are put there to give you the idea that you have freedom of choice. You don’t. You have no choice. You have owners." ~ George Carlin
"Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power." ~ Benito Mussolini
"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society." ~ Edward Bernays
When you step into American politics, you don’t enter as a representative of the people, you enter as a performer in a meticulously staged drama of wealth and power.
The rhetoric is democratic, but the choreography is dictated by money and wealth. Voting your conscience? That’s a relic of a bygone era. Today, decisions are made not in pursuit of the common good, but in opposition to rivals or in favor of personal gain. Politicians, like well-rehearsed actors, play their parts on a board governed by capital, not conviction. While reformers like Cromwell once envisioned purifying government with integrity, today’s political theater is propped up by the crumbling scaffolding of institutional rot. The public, sitting in the bleachers, aren’t truly represented, they’re merely given the illusion that their presence still matters.
Within just a few short years, political newcomers often find themselves inexplicably wealthy.
Official salaries remain modest, but it’s the access that’s golden. Insider tips from financial giants, nods from corporate boardrooms, and subtle encouragement from defense contractors ensure a lucrative future. For those with military service, and especially for those who vocally support key geopolitical allies like Israel, the rewards are even greater. New York’s financial elite offer soft landings, while a network of loyal donors ensures campaign coffers never run dry. But this loyalty isn’t altruistic, it’s transactional. Vote the right way and you’re set for life. Cross the line, and you’ll be outspent, outmaneuvered, and politically extinguished.
Money, however, isn’t the only lever of control. Secrets, real or manufactured, are just as effective.
Compromising information doesn’t need to be current to be powerful, even past mistakes become currency when held by intelligence agencies or shadowy figures with influence. As history has shown, careers can vanish overnight, reputations turned to ash with a single leak or scandal. The lesson is clear, obey. Never touch defense spending. Never question America’s unwavering support for Israel, even if there is ethnic cleansing and a genocide being committed towards the Palestinian people. And never challenge the corporate media apparatus that enforces the narrative. This isn’t governance, it’s an empire of influence, engineered by wealth, enforced through fear, and maintained by silence.