Republic, Lost

1. The United States government is fundamentally corrupted by money

We have lost that republic.

Systemic corruption. The U.S. government is corrupted at its core, not by illegal bribes or quid pro quo deals, but by the systemic influence of money in politics. This corruption affects both Democrats and Republicans, distorting policy outcomes and eroding public trust. The problem is not just a few bad apples, but a fundamental flaw in how the system operates.

Pervasive influence. Money shapes legislation, regulation, and policy in countless ways:

• Campaign contributions give donors outsized access and influence
• Lobbying by special interests drowns out the voices of ordinary citizens
• The revolving door between government and industry creates conflicts of interest
• Politicians rely on wealthy donors and industries for their political survival

This corruption is so entrenched that most politicians and citizens have come to see it as normal. But it represents a radical departure from the kind of representative democracy the founders envisioned.

2. This corruption is not illegal, but a systemic dependence on funders

We have created an engine of influence that seeks simply to make those most connected rich.

Legal but corrupt. The corruption of U.S. politics is not primarily about illegal bribes or explicit quid pro quo arrangements. Rather, it stems from the legal ways money influences the political process:

• Large campaign contributions
• Lobbying by special interests
• The revolving door between government and industry
• Political spending by corporations and wealthy individuals

Systemic dependency. Politicians have become dependent on funders to finance increasingly expensive campaigns. This creates a competing dependency that conflicts with their intended dependence on voters. The system incentivizes politicians to be responsive to donors and special interests rather than ordinary citizens.

Gift economy. Washington operates as a gift economy, where favors and access are exchanged in ways that don't violate bribery laws but still create obligations. Politicians, staffers, and lobbyists participate in an intricate dance of mutual back-scratching that shapes policy outcomes.

3. The framers intended Congress to be dependent on the people alone

The Framers gave us a "republic"; to them, a republic was to be a "representative democracy"; a "representative democracy" was to be "dependent upon the People alone".

Founders' vision. The framers of the Constitution intended for members of Congress to be dependent solely on the people they represent. They put in place various mechanisms to try to ensure this:

• Frequent elections
• Limits on outside employment
• Restrictions on gifts from foreign governments

Competing dependencies. The current system of campaign finance and lobbying has created competing dependencies that pull Congress away from this intended sole dependence on the people. Politicians now rely heavily on funders and special interests to finance their campaigns and advance their careers.

Distorted representation. This corruption of the intended dependency undermines the core principle of representative democracy. Rather than being responsive to their constituents, politicians are incentivized to cater to donors and powerful interests. This fundamentally distorts the relationship between the people and their representatives.

4. Campaign finance and lobbying create a competing dependency

The existing system will always block the changes that both sides campaign for. Both sides should therefore have the same interest in changing this system.

Expensive campaigns. Modern political campaigns have become extremely expensive, with Congressional candidates needing to raise millions of dollars to be competitive. This creates a constant need for fundraising that shapes politicians' priorities and time allocation.

Lobbying influence. Professional lobbyists play a central role in both fundraising and policymaking:

• They bundle contributions from clients and industries
• They provide policy expertise and draft legislation
• They offer lucrative job prospects to politicians and staffers

Distorted incentives. The current system incentivizes politicians to be responsive to funders and special interests rather than voters. Their dependency on money for political survival competes with and often overrides their intended dependency on constituents.

5. This dependence corruption distorts policy and erodes public trust

If the core problem that dependence corruption creates is the perception among voters that "money buys results in Congress," then fighting that perception requires a system that the voters would understand, and believe.

Policy distortions. The corruption of money in politics leads to policy outcomes that favor special interests over the public good:

• Tax loopholes for industries and the wealthy
• Regulatory decisions that benefit corporate donors
• Spending on questionable programs pushed by lobbyists
• Failure to act on issues that lack wealthy backers

Erosion of trust. The public widely believes that money buys results in Congress, contributing to declining trust in government:

• Only 20% of Americans trust the government to do what's right
• 75% believe campaign contributions buy results in Congress
• Low voter turnout stems partly from the belief that politicians don't listen to ordinary citizens

This loss of faith in democracy is perhaps the most damaging consequence of dependence corruption. It leads to disengagement and cynicism that further entrenches the power of special interests.

6. Reforms like transparency alone are insufficient to solve the problem

Transparency is being asked to carry too much weight in this reform fight. It is being depended upon to do too much.

Limits of disclosure. While transparency in campaign finance is important, it is not sufficient to solve the fundamental problem:

• Disclosed information is often overwhelming and hard to interpret
• The most influential spending may not be captured by disclosure
• Transparency doesn't change the underlying incentives

Failed reforms. Previous attempts at campaign finance reform have largely failed to address the root problem:

• Contribution limits are easily circumvented
• Public financing systems are underfunded and optional
• Disclosure requirements have loopholes

Systemic change needed. Truly solving dependence corruption requires changing the fundamental incentives of the system. Transparency and limits on contributions are not enough - the way campaigns are funded needs to be transformed.

7. Citizen-funded elections are the key to restoring congressional independence

If a substantial number of candidates opted into this system, then no one could believe that money was buying results.

Small-donor democracy. A system of citizen-funded elections could restore congressional independence:

• Candidates receive funding through small donations and matching funds
• They agree to forgo large contributions and special interest money
• This aligns their dependence with voters rather than funders

Voucher programs. One proposed approach is to give each voter a small "democracy voucher" to allocate to candidates:

• Creates a large pool of public funding
• Engages citizens in the funding process
• Reduces the influence of large donors and special interests

Realigning incentives. Citizen-funded elections would fundamentally change the incentives for politicians:

• Less time spent fundraising from wealthy donors
• More responsiveness to constituents
• Reduced influence of lobbyists and special interests
• Greater ability to act in the public interest

8. Constitutional reform may be necessary to enact fundamental change

If we're going to fix education, we're going to have to be willing to pay good teachers more of what good teachers are worth.

Entrenched interests. The current system of campaign finance is deeply entrenched, with powerful interests opposing change. Constitutional reform may be necessary to overcome these obstacles.

Article V convention. One potential approach is calling for a constitutional convention under Article V:

• Bypasses Congress to propose amendments
• Requires support from 2/3 of state legislatures
• Could propose amendments for citizen-funded elections

Challenges and risks. Constitutional reform carries risks and faces significant obstacles:

• Fear of a "runaway" convention proposing radical changes
• Difficulty of ratifying amendments
• Resistance from entrenched interests

However, it may be the only way to enact the fundamental changes needed to restore congressional independence and a government truly dependent on the people alone.

9. Multiple strategic approaches are needed to overcome entrenched interests

We need a bit of peaceful terrorism. No guns. No bombs. No hijacked airplanes. Instead, peaceful, legal action that terrifies the enemy.

Multi-pronged strategy. Given the entrenched nature of the current system, multiple strategic approaches are needed:

1. Conventional legislative efforts
2. Primary challenges to incumbents
3. Presidential candidates focused on reform
4. Pushing for an Article V convention
5. Building a citizen movement for change

Peaceful "terrorism". Unconventional tactics may be necessary to shake up the status quo:

• Running reform candidates in multiple primaries
• Leveraging the presidential election to focus on corruption
• Using state-level initiatives to build momentum

Building momentum. Change is unlikely to happen all at once. A sustained, multi-year effort is needed to build momentum and overcome resistance from entrenched interests.

10. Citizens must take responsibility for reclaiming their democracy

We citizens. You. Me. Us.

Civic responsibility. Ultimately, it is up to citizens to reclaim their democracy and demand a government dependent on the people alone. This requires:

• Education about the nature of corruption in the current system
• Engagement in reform efforts at all levels
• Willingness to prioritize fixing the system over partisan goals

Long-term commitment. Transforming the system will not happen overnight. It requires a sustained, multi-generational effort to:

• Change public understanding of the problem
• Build momentum for reform
• Overcome entrenched resistance

Hope for change. While the challenge is daunting, there is reason for hope. Throughout American history, citizen movements have overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to expand democracy and fight corruption. With sustained effort and commitment, it is possible to reclaim a government of, by, and for the people.

Last updated: November 18, 2024