Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The divide between rich and poor is widening in the United States, thanks in part to a political system driven by money. “The top-earning 20 percent of Americans — those making more than $100,000 each year — received 49% of all income generated in the U.S., compared with the 3% earned by those below the poverty line, according to newly released census figures.” That ratio of 14.5-to-1 is nearly twice the 7.7-to-1 ratio in 1968. Politicians more attuned to their money-backers than the masses are enacting government policies (from taxes to spending) that favor the already-wealthy. The mega-rich can jump from unknowns to members of the U.S. Senate, or they can sponsor their own politician or national political committee. Just three billionaires have given 91% of the money behind Karl Rove’s American Crossroads attack-ad machine. Meanwhile, millions of low-income citizens barely have the time and resources to think about political participation. Registration – obtaining a license to vote – is not a simple hurdle in most states. Federal law requires government agencies that administer social service programs to help people become registered but it’s taken years to get many states to follow this law, often after litigation or concerted pressure by nonpartisan advocacy groups. And that just gets people registered, not involved in exerting their actual political power – which could lead to their increased economic power.