Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart

First and foremost, lobbies are unconstitutional. The 14^th Amendment requires equal protection under the law in all situations. Therefore, lobbies, funded by billionaires, whose only purpose is to fund the campaigns of our legislators in exchange for preferential treatment when critical legislation comes to a vote on the floor of the Capitol, are in direct violation of the 14^th Amendment.

LIES AND MISDIRECTION

The super rich will claim that the American people have lobbies whose sole purpose is to protect their rights. Such organizations do exist, but they are few, compared to those of the super-rich. They are underfunded and unable to promise huge donations to any legislator’s campaigns.

COMPARISONS BETWEEN PUTIN AND HIS OLIGARCHS, AND TRUMP AND HIS BILLIONAIRES

Although it grows rapidly, at last count, America had 902 billionaires. It is a fact that this number grew during the disastrous healthcare emergency known as Covid-19, although unemployment reached record highs.

For decades, Trump and his oligarchs, roughly 150 in 2026, have controlled Russia for decades, Putin’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine is responsible for a steep decline in the fortunes of Russia’s wealthiest men. This has not affected their control of the second most powerful nation in the world.

In 2026, America has become a plutocracy, which is a synonym for an oligarchy. Our three branches of government are no longer “separate but equal.” The executive branch has become totalitarian and Trump is a dictator. With the support of our nation’s wealthiest citizens, less than one percent of the population, are in control of America’s future. Democracy is nothing but a memory.

REMEMBER WHERE IT ALL CAME FROM

None of this would be happening if our government had not failed the people over the last half of the 20^th century and allowed and encouraged the growth of lobbies inside our nation’s Capital Building. The men and women you chose to represent you and yours has failed miserably for more than 45 years.

We can only blame ourselves. Most American voters learn “everything they need to know from television.” All television “news” is composed of lies, half-truths, and misdirection. The once respected Fourth Estate has not existed for more than four decades, and their protection under the First Amendment must be repealed. Why? All major news agencies are owned by billionaires today.

NEVER WATCH TELEVISION “NEWS”

If you enjoy being lied to, watch the nightly news on broadcast television. Most Americans possessing average intelligence, know that Fox and other politically biased news broadcasts are extremely biased. However, CBS, NBC, and ABC are clever. They offer their viewers an iota of truth but expand their stories to include misdirection and half-truths.

The internet allows us to read news outlets from all parts of the world. I ask you to give truth a chance.

Op-ed by James Turnage

Follow my blog and be informed

Sources: archives.gov: “14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Civil Rights (1868)”

Bbc.com: “Rich and voiceless: How Putin has kept Russia’s billionaires on side in the war”