We the People

Those three words resonate deeply in American history. They inspire a sense of pride among patriotic citizens. But what do they really stand for?

What do people often do if a president, senator, or local mayor they’ve voted for does something controversial? They turn to you for having voted for him.

Embracing “we” signifies a belief in our control over our future. It embodies the notion that American citizens hold ultimate authority—that we establish the rules, not a monarch or a select group of powerful individuals.

That’s the narrative we create for ourselves, a reflection of our belief in popular sovereignty or, more straightforwardly, democracy. Every few years, as individual sovereigns, we unite and express our preferences by voting for representatives we expect to prioritize our interests.

However, I contend that this is a major illusion.

Who decides?

More specifically, the misconception is that we, the people, exert any real influence over the selection or actions of our government.

I genuinely encourage anyone reading this to ponder: Who really selects and governs our political leaders?

Is it you? Are you receiving regular updates from the Trump administration? Or are you personally financing a candidate’s campaign?

Definitely not.

So what is the actual driving force behind the logistics, funding, and management of our political system?

In short, it’s capital (and capital interests). Money fuels democracy. It identifies and funds new political candidates, supports their administrations, and applies pressure through the media. When ordinary persuasion falls short, those with wealth and influence find other ways to achieve their goals. It’s a surprising concept, maybe.

What gives someone else an edge in a democracy where every voice is supposed to carry equal weight?

Money. It’s all about who has the capital.

A feature, not a bug

Already, I can imagine the eye rolls.

“How obvious! We just need to eliminate money from politics!” —Frustrated Reader

If your approach to solving governmental issues revolves around “removing money from politics” so we can return to voting even more fervently in future elections, then there’s a significant misunderstanding about democracy itself that needs addressing.

The error lies in perceiving our democracy as corrupt. It isn’t corrupt. Corruption suggests malfunction, a distortion from its intended purpose. In this case, it’s functioning precisely as it was designed to.

“But you’re mistaken! Our country isn’t even a democracy! It’s a republic!”

That’s not quite the point you think it is. Yes, we operate under a representative democracy and a republic. But have you considered what a republic truly is? Who have our “representatives” typically been expected to challenge? Monopolies. Financial institutions. Oil companies. Technology giants. Certainly not by coincidence.

Putting the customer first

And that naturally leads to a follow-up question: Why do our “representatives” seem to repeatedly fail in standing up to those entities? Because actual power doesn’t lie with the average worker standing at the polling station. True power resides with the class who finances the candidates on the ballot.

Let’s think about it. If the candidate you’re considering voting for was highlighted due to some hefty, undisclosed financial backing, then who are they really serving? It’s pretty basic. It’s not that the republic is failing or becoming corrupt. The republic operates as a system that, regardless of its admirable principles, provides monetary advantages that the majority of us can hardly fathom.

Take someone like Jeffrey Epstein as an example. What would you argue gives him power? Just for reference: it wasn’t from “making his voice heard” like everyone else. He owned a private Caribbean island and a ranch in New Mexico where he engaged in dubious activities. He had ties to influential figures, maintaining connections with the high echelons of business, politics, and academia, even after being convicted in 2008.

Does any of this validate theories suggesting he manipulated politicians through blackmail? Not necessarily. But consider the extraordinary access he had. What doors could a person like that open with just a phone call that would remain shut to the average voter?

Do you have those sorts of resources? Probably not. So how can you hold your representatives accountable when your tools are limited to voting and protesting, while those with capital wield campaign contributions, lobbying power, personal connections, and financial pressure?

Hope without change

The crux of the matter is this: What America assures its citizens is deceptive. Regardless of the promises made to the “little guy,” republics have historically favored the “big players.” The little guy is left with a false sense of hope and control, while the real powers continue to thrive.

If this is the reality, then what significance does your vote truly hold? Why do the influential go to such lengths to rally you to the polls? Why do they sell the idea that voting hard is essential every election season?

Well, consider the psychological impact of casting a ballot. It gives you a sense of having fulfilled your civic duty. It fosters the illusion that you possess autonomy in your life—where you are actively demonstrating the people’s power.

That sensation is the product. It’s exactly the feeling that the capital class wants you to embrace and internalize. Because ownership carries an inherent responsibility.

Scape-vote

“Responsibility?”

What do people instinctively do when the president, senator, or local mayor they supported takes a misstep? They look to you for having voted for him. What’s your response when a Democrat politician makes a mistake? You seize the chance to ridicule your liberal family or friends.

“Those ignorant liberals voted for this!”

So, in reality, what does all this constant bickering, blame-shifting, and finger-pointing achieve?

It deflects attention from those wielding substantial power who are responsible for the mishaps. It transfers the blame away from them and places it squarely on you. And this happens because you, the voter, willingly take on that responsibility. Your belief in democracy’s fundamental premise—that you possess the actual power—leads you to shoulder the accountability that accompanies that perceived power.

Can you recognize the trick now?

The elites use you as a scapegoat. This isn’t a novel idea. Historically, during the Day of Atonement, a high priest would transfer the sins of the people onto a goat and send it away, symbolically relieving the community of its wrongdoings.

This is what the concept of “democracy” allows them to do. They commit their wrongs, lay their burdens on you each November, and send you away to bear the weight. Democracy isn’t a bastion of the people. It resembles Solomon’s Temple—a place where wrongdoers shift their sins onto a scapegoat, leaving them unburdened while you carry the guilt.