America still considers itself a world leader in all things. And it still has the best armed forces in the world and many still think it’s institutions of higher learning are the best in the world. But an honest look at the facts reveals that America has fallen behind in nearly every other important ranking. We are no longer the freest people in the world. We no longer have the best health care in the world. Our government is more corrupt than most governments in the free world. Our people are not the best educated. We are not the most integrated. We are not the most tolerant. Gone is the time when people in America could lay claim to being first in many rankings.

How did this happen? How did a nation that prides itself, yes, even brags about always being number one find itself so far from the lead? The simple truth is, America is no longer a democracy. America has become a Plutocracy owned and governed by the wealthy. Our new elected leaders are puppets bought and paid for to future the weathys agenda. The wealthy are slowly and methodically molding America into a country that serves their needs.

The wealthy have no need for a middle class. They have learned that there are skilled people available in other countries who will work for very low wages. Why waste money on wages that allow individuals to live a middle class life? Their answer to those, here in America, who expect a decent living wage is, NO. They see no advantage in placating the working masses. Why should they squander their incredible wealth and incomes when they can send your jobs overseas to people who live lives so miserable that they will work for any kind of income. No matter how pitiful. Why should they worry about healthcare for all? They can afford the exorbitant costs. Let the rest take care of themselves.

Just a generation ago America was populated by people who were truly patriotic. Who, in time of war, sacrificed equally to see us through the tragedy of a world at war. Our Armies were populated by the wealthy, middle class and poor. All, volunteers, serving in the armed forces in whatever capacity the nation needed them. Today you will be hard pressed to find any son of a wealthy businessman or member of congress who is putting themselves in harms way in defense of our freedom. Our own, warmongering, cowardly president managed to get himself assigned to the Air Force National Guard to avoid doing hazardous duty in Viet Nam. Due in no uncertain terms to his wealthy, then CIA head, daddy George Bush Senior.

It would be easy to hang the blame for the downfall of the US of A entirely on George Bush Juniors shoulders, But, if truth be told, George merely performed the final act to the play. George Jr. didn’t initiate this grand plan. Indeed, he may not have been aware of it. But nonetheless 42 signed off on the final sale of the United Stated to the highest bidder.

For the last half century big business has slowly been maneuvering itself into a position where it was, in effect, governing itself. It poured billions of dollars into politicians campaign chests to help them get elected. Big business was not prejudice in their support. They financed both sides of the campaign to assure that whoever was elected was in their pocket. Our good buddy George benefitted from this largesse. Even though he was not a wise business man he still managed to secure a small fortune dabbling in the oil industry and later professional sports. Big business bought and paid for Bush long ago. All Bush had to do to reciprocate was cut taxes to the wealthy and big business and his debt was paid in full. Many, many times over. George sold out the entire nation in order to obtain his little 20 million dollar fortune and his semi opulent ranch in Texas. He wasn’t the architect of the end of American democracy, he was the executioner.

Look at every aspect of American life and the grimy fingerprints of big business and the wealthy are all over it. Of all the democratic, free nations today, only America does not offer universal health care to all of its citizens. America secularism is threatened because America itself offers such an unsure future that religion is regaining a foothold with its dubious promises. The wealthy send their children to the finest schools. While the poor are increasingly subjected to public schools that are deprived of the funds they need to offer a real, quality education. Deprived by the rich, who see it as an advantage and feel no qualms in leveraging it.

Efforts have been made to correct this imbalance. But, once again, the deep pockets of business and the wealthy have squashed each and every attempt at election finance reform. Big business knows that maintaining its position as puppet master is worth every penny it spends strengthening the strings by which it manipulates its political marionettes. Is health care going to mean less money for the rich? Pull that string. Is Social Security going to mean taxing the rich in order to have enough money to care for the less fortunate? Pull that string. Invest billions to enforce immigration laws and deprive big business of a cheap, reliable local labor force? Pull that string! The elite's have not learned that repercussions can result from treating people this way. Many an aristocracy, oligarchy and plutocracy have been pulled down by their underclass.Their royal counterparts learned centuries ago that a disgruntled unprivileged class are capable of taking down even the elite's golden towers.

The politicians who serve their big business masters are steadily eroding the middle classes rights and strengthening their grip on the Supreme Court and the Military. The religious right has seen an upswing in popularity as people whose financial futures are becoming bleak look for hope through other means. Of course the upper echelons of the church are the domains of the wealthy.How long will it be until the unprivileged rise up and revolt? I don’t see it happening any time soon. Our country does not belong to us anymore. It was bought and paid for by big business right under our noses.

Article Source: http://www.articleated.com

derF (Fred Nielson) is a frequent contributor to Articleated.com and is an active member of atheists.com