Yes

by Joseph Whalen

Created on: August 13, 2009

The problem with this country as with many other countries is not so much that big business unduly influences the government; the real problem is that big business practically runs the government. There are many people who will say that America has the best politicians money can buy. This is painfully obvious when you look at how much money lobbyists contribute to political campaigns. The gifts and contributions are not limited to cash contributions either, services, facilities and future job prospects are also bartered for favorable legislation.

The American people are encouraged to vote in every election because America is one of the few countries in which the people have a say in how government is run by electing our representatives. The truth of the matter is the few candidates that we do get to select from are carefully controlled by the power brokers of their respective political parties. Power brokers who have their own individual and commercial interests in mind over those of the American people. Once an individual is elected, their primary concern is staying in office. Sometimes they will do anything imaginable to keep these coveted positions. Often times this includes taking contributions and kick backs from lobbyists representing the biggest corporations in the world. As one can imagine, these contributions come with a price.

History is replete with backroom deals and conniving politicians interested on capitalizing on the power their office presents to them. It is exactly this type of power hungry frenzy that has led to the arrest of over thirty public officials in the State of New Jersey in a federal corruption investigation. These officials ranked from local politicians to state representatives, clearly showing that the corruption in our government is not confined to just one sector of the government. Most of these arrests had to do with politicians taking bribes to provide favorable services to business for various construction and zoning projects.

It should be clear by now that the American people do not have control of their own government. With a lack of funding and a lack of political power the average citizen's vote amounts to nothing today. When politicians brag openly about their power and massive labor unions throw their support behind the politician that is best suited and willing to serve their purposes it's nearly hopeless to think that American can be restored to the once proud symbol of freedom and democracy that it once was.

A government of the people, by the people and for the people has since been replaced by a government available to the highest bidder. This is as true with big business as it is with foreign governments. With countries such as China so heavily invested in our national debt it was not surprising to see trade relations improve with the last bastion of communist super power in the world. Our current relationship with China is a clear sign that for the right price you can buy anything you want in America, including the government.

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