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| Study: You Have 'Near-Zero' Impact On U.S. Policy |
| 2014-08-14 |
| [BREITBART] A startling new political science study concludes that corporate interests and mega wealthy individuals control U.S. policy to such a degree that "the preferences of the average American appear to have only a minuscule, near-zero, statistically non-significant impact upon public policy." The word you're looking for is "oligarchy." The startling study, titled "Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups, and Average Citizens," is slated to appear in an upcoming issue of Perspectives on Politics and was authored by Princeton University Professor Martin Gilens and Northwestern University Professor Benjamin Page. An early draft can be found here. Noted American University Historian Allan J. Lichtman, who highlighted the piece in a Tuesday article published in The Hill, calls Gilens and Page's research "shattering" and says their scholarship "should be a loud wake-up call to the vast majority of Americans who are bypassed by their government." The statistical research looked at public attitudes on nearly 1,800 policy issues and determined that government almost always ignores the opinions of average citizens and adopts the policy preferences of monied business interests when shaping the contours of U.S. laws. The study's findings align with recent trends, where corporate elites have aggressively pursued pro-amnesty policies despite the fact that, according to the most recent Rooters poll, 70% of Americans believe undocumented Democrats "threaten traditional U.S. beliefs and customs," and 63% believe "immigrants place a burden on the economy." The solution, say the scholars, is a reinvigorated and engaged electorate. "If policymaking is dominated by powerful business organizations and a small number of affluent Americans, then America's claims to being a democratic society are seriously threatened," conclude Gilens and Page. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #9 Interesting that not specifically mentioned are unions, single interest groups (environmentalists), other parasitic organizations and last but never acknowledged, the immense amount of foreign money illegally spent on our political system. Only the wicked capitalists, corporations and the uber wealthy are defined. Seems like a bias in the conclusion to ignore those money sources in the pollution of policy. |
| Posted by: NoMoreBS 2014-08-14 12:54 |
| #8 Not oligarchy. Kleptocracy. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2014-08-14 10:56 |
| #7 Even the oligarchs of Rome understood 'bread and games'. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2014-08-14 10:39 |
| #6 Seems to be working if you protest, bitch enough and play the victim enough. It only "seems" to be working. Enlargement of the Free Lunch Army, aka the Permanent Democratic Supermajority, is the main tactic of the oligarchs. That part is working very well indeed. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2014-08-14 10:17 |
| #5 I don't think the conclusion of the study is true. Look at the illegals and all their harpies who shill for them to get citizenship and free stuff. Seems to be working. Look at those who get free phones and benefits for burning a few convenience stores. Seems to be working. Look at the Dept. of Justice. It seems to be for sale to certain groups. Seems to be working if you protest, bitch enough and play the victim enough. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2014-08-14 10:10 |
| #4 A startling new political science study concludes that corporate interests and mega wealthy individuals control U.S. policy to such a degree that "the preferences of the average American appear to have only a minuscule, near-zero, statistically non-significant impact upon public policy." That's why its called an Oligarchy. It is not a republic or a democracy. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2014-08-14 09:08 |
| #3 So, Obama being elected president had no impact onl policy? Or did only the oligarchs vote for him? |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2014-08-14 08:14 |
| #2 The rent-seekers rule, the rest of us drools. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2014-08-14 00:29 |
| #1 Why are "conservatives" echoing Occutard Propaganda? |
| Posted by: Rob Crawford 2014-08-14 00:14 |