I thought of this question today first as basic semantics questions. An oligarchy is defined basically as: a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution. On the other hand a democracy is defined as: a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. Semantically there is a problem here and a question no one wants to answer: What is the value of the average persons vote in an oligarchy masquerading as a democracy?
And the results are interesting. In the work that’s essentially the gold standard in the field, it’s concluded that for roughly 70% of the population – the lower 70% on the wealth/income scale – they have no influence on policy whatsoever. They’re effectively disenfranchised. As you move up the wealth/income ladder, you get a little bit more influence on policy. When you get to the top, which is maybe a tenth of one percent, people essentially get what they want, i.e. they determine the policy. So the proper term for that is not democracy; it’s plutocracy.
– Chomsky – The US behaves nothing like a Democracy, but you’ll never hear about it in our Free Press.
So then the questions is between now and Tuesday, November 4, 2014, when mid-term elections will take place, what change can we expect to put into place through our votes? Seventy percent of our population wont suddenly be tagged back into the game. Corporate money won’t suddenly loose influence over politics.
The political machine has awoken, we are hearing more and more about Midterm Elections. We are slowly behind reminded how much our votes count, and how we are the agents of change; catalyst if you will to help precipitate into reality the vision of this country we so desperately want. Yet how to reconcile this with the reality of the times. The disenfranchisement of 70% of our population, corporate influences, demonization of the poor, etc?
ASpoonfulofSuga 
A very good assessment on how money controls both policy and politics. The wealthy want the overwhelming majority (the non-wealthy) to continue to think they have a say in government. The stark truth is otherwise. Money is the manipulator and the candidates are puppets dancing to their tune. No matter the political affiliation, rarely does any candidate receive a nomination for office without the endorsement of the wealthy. Good job, my blogging buddy!
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I wish more people participated in elections. If everyone voted, then money would have less influence. And if everyone was at least partially informed when they voted, then money would be virtually powerless.
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