Kings of America

I was reading in Common Sense by Thomas Paine when I came across this passage-

There is something exceedingly ridiculous in the composition of monarchy; it first excludes a man from the means of information, yet empowers him to act in cases where the highest judgment is required. The state of a king shuts him from the world, yet the business of a king requires him to know it thoroughly; wherefore the different parts, by unnaturally opposing and destroying each other, prove the whole character to be absurd and useless.

This inspired two thoughts for me - we don't have kings in American politics, or do we? Is the king, or politician, so wrapped up in his own agenda or himself that he has little time to spend among the people?

My belief is that we do have kings in politics today and it is not necessarily by choice that some kings are made. Huge amounts of funding are required currently to run a political race, even at a local level like a seat on the city council or school board. The average person cannot afford such costs by himself and is thus dependent on donors and organizations for funds. Rarely do we see a campaign in the last 30 years that does not have the endorsements of powerful organizations. Usually only the wealthy or well-connected are able to be in a position to run for office. They are the kings, and queens, of American politics.

This leads to the next belief- are they so wrapped up in fundraising, especially if the position only lasts a short time like a US House seat every two years, that they don't understand the issues? If you are in financial survival mode continually, how are you able to get the proper understanding of what is happening with the rest of your constituents? The politician will frequently make the decision based on his staff recommendations or the promptings of his largest donors.

How to change this? I don't know. My best friend ran for office several years ago and gave it everything he had, but still lost due to special interests for his opponent. We have moved back full circle to what Thomas Paine and the colonists were concerned about in the 1770's - a monarchy, or ruling class, who do not represent their constituents.