Lazarus > "We the People" have more say and influence on the government than ever before
I accept what you say but, in my opinion, (which, of course, comes only from what I have read) lobbies such as the banks, including the Federal Reserve, "big oil", the arms industry and "foreign" lobbies such as JINSA, also have a very big influence.
Furthermore, it is also my understanding that US foreign policy has, to a considerable extent, been determined by a group/clique, known as the neo-conservatives (neocons), who effectively control the Pentagon and therefore US military policy.
Furthermore, in the Congress itself, the concept of bipartisanship appears to have effectively neutralised the opposition and this, again in my opinion, has negated the countervailing balance which is inherent in a truly democratic "parliamentary" system. Indeed, this bipartisanship has to all intents and purposes ensured that the US government functions as a one party state. |
