derspiegel | Given that the economic and political direction of the country is
being steered today by a small number of billionaires, the United States
has taken on many of the characteristics normally associated with
oligarchies. "We've seen a complete subversion of our political system,"
former President Jimmy Carter recently said, diagnosing the ailment. He
said that unlimited money in politics "violates the essence of what
made America a great country in its political system. Now it's just an
oligarchy with unlimited political bribery being the essence of getting
the nominations for president or to elect the president."
The race suits worn by Formula One drivers are littered with patches
with the names and logos of sponsors covering the chest and arms as well
as the helmet. If Jeb Bush, Hillary Clinton or Ted Cruz were to wear
something similar in the future, at least there would be some
transparency. But it's highly unlikely they will do anything of the
sort, because precious few in the United States are rebelling against
the billionaires' power. A popular revolt against the power of the happy
few -- and remember, "revolution" is a bad word in the US -- is nowhere
in sight. Not even Donald Trump could be counted on to lead a movement
like that. He's simply too rich. So it's not without irony that this
über-oligarch himself, a man who spent decades trying to buy favors from
politicians, is now presenting himself as being above the swampland of
campaign finance. "Nobody knows the system better than me. I was the
system," he has said. As an entrepreneur, Trump says he gave money to
most politicians. Two or three years later, he says, when he had an
issue of concern, they would pay back their debt by returning a favor.
It's seldom that politicians get off as easily as Hillary Clinton
did. During the first Republican televised debate, Trump revealed he had
contributed to Clinton. "With Hillary Clinton, I said, 'Be at my
wedding,' and she came to my wedding. You know why? She had no choice!
Because I gave," Trump said.
It may turn out that Trump is doing his country a major service with
his candidacy because he is demonstrating very vividly what is rotten
about this system. With all due respect, he's a useful idiot.
