Hidden Powers Behind the US Government: Who Has the Most Influence? - Essay Sample

Introduction

According to Theodore Roosevelt, who was the 16th president of the United States, behind the perceived government, there is another invisible government that owns no allegiance and responsibility to the citizens (Mullen, 2017). It means that there are people who control America apart from the leaders, and the people cannot see them. Even with their invisibility, the rich are the people who have the most power in influencing the United States government.

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The rich people or rather the elites in the United States of America are the ones who control it. They are the managers and owners of prominent income-producing properties in the country, and they own agribusinesses, financial institutions, banks, and corporations (Domhoff, 2014). However, they get assistance from experts and managers that they hire to manage the things they have in the U.S.A. Initially, people have assumed that politicians are consumed with power to fight as media exposes that, however, the real threat to the nation has been ignored.

There are dangerous and unelected people that whittle away hopes, dreams, and bank accounts of the United States citizens for a safer and better tomorrow (Mullen, 2017). For the past decades, they have assaulted the United States of America, yet they are also American citizens. Their primary victims are usually middle class, the poor, and school children. Furthermore, as they speak, they use patriotic language while their real goal is like the Russians dominating the world at the expense of the other citizens (Mullen, 2017). What the people are taught, think, go to war, get paid for the work that they have done, and the people winning the political office are staged by men and women that have never been heard.

How do you know?

In every presidential election in the U.S.A., candidates always get financial donations and support from billionaires. Whether the candidate is vying on a Democratic or Republican ticket, it always certain that billionaires will fund them. A typical example by Forbes is that data mined from the Federal Election Commission in the 2016 elections, President Trump's campaign committee got large donations from billionaires and their spouses (Dovere, 2019). The Forbes further revealed that most of the donors, approximately 56%, live in just three states of Florida, New York and Texas(Tindera, 2020). This trend is typical in every election. Imperatively, such donation is made with an intention to have a lease in the running of the government. Similarly, the recent onslaught against President Trump which threatened to impeach him from presidency was largely orchestrated by Tom Steyer who is a billionaire activist. The anti-Trump movement proceeded to the congress. This trend points to an underlying hidden had of billionaires who have vested interests in how the politics, economy, and social systems in the U.S.A. are run.

What powers do they have, and where did those powers come from?

Being rich made them have the powers of even making decisions of the United States of America citizens. The people that have money are the ones that have control. For instance, George Washington is considered the largest landowner during his time. Also, for him, he had other natural resources and oil, finance, and agribusiness (Domhoff, 2014). Therefore, essentially, the people owning producing property companies, agribusiness, and real estate set the rule where the policy battles of a nation are waged.

The people rule secretly behind the scenes, and there are no conspiracy theories related to the way they rule. It is true that corporate officials and some government officials steal and lie, but everything is kept from the newspapers (Domhoff, 2014). However, the activities are not linked to conspiracy theories, and they mainly involve a small group that secretly plots with the aim of gaining or retaining government control through illegal means. Even though the way they control the government is complicated, it is mainly through lobbying, direct, and open participation in the planning of general policy concerning major issues and involvement in elections and political campaigns. They are also involved in appointments of important government positions. It is not like the polls in the country do not matter, they matter, but there are people behind the scenes controlling it behind the government.

The Elites are the ones governing the U.S. A, and they control the government through manipulation (Mills & Wolfe, 2000). These people select themselves, and their main aim of controlling the government is because they have a special interest. Mostly, anyone with sufficient funds can grab a seat in the table. Getting the supreme powerful individuals controlling the government is complicated, and one cannot even get the real names of the individuals in charge.

Is their power legitimate? Why or why not?

They have the power of dominating the society; the power of the people with the most influence in the United States government is not legitimate. The citizens did not give them the powers they have, and the citizens are not even aware of their existence. Moreover, power is not legitimate since they chose to be there on their own before getting consent from other individuals.

What checks exist to limit their power?

There is not a check that exists in limiting their power. Even the president of the United States of America cannot limit the power that they have. However, in one way or the other, I think money can limit their power. If their money reduces, then the power they have also reduces, meaning they cannot make important decisions in the government.

Conclusion

In summary, the people controlling the United States government are invisible and exert power behind the scenes. They are owners of agribusinesses, financial institutions, banks, and corporations. Although the power they have is not legitimate, their richness enables them to make important decisions regarding the country. Therefore, it is important to know the people controlling the country.

References

Domhoff, G. W. (2014). Who rules America? The triumph of the corporate rich. McGraw-Hill Education.

Dovere, E. (2019, January 22). Tom Steyer Wants the 2020 Democrats Supporting Impeachment. The Atlantic. Retrieved May 04, 2020, from https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/01/billionaire-steyer-wants-2020-democrats-impeach-trump/580909/?fbclid=IwAR1UrtYjKt50Oq-0-x2J0LNNdBhHLrej9fXPtJ3KIMv1BRwPK3cD-21FeR8

Mullen, M. (2017). Who controls America? Haddon Township, NJ: Mark Mullen.

Mills, C. W., & Wolfe, A. (2000). The Power Elite. Oxford: Oxford University Press, USA.

Tindera, M. (2020, April 17). Here Are the Billionaires Backing Donald Trump's Campaign. The Forbes. Retrieved May 04, 2020, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelatindera/2020/04/17/here-are-the-billionaires-backing-donald-trumps-campaign/?fbclid=IwAR0RtHPak_WVa3M8zcmQ5I6LK11DRP3jibTgZbSWz8wcqWdTBe-c7pDPRoo