Found here, via here. Anyway, I was reading along, and came across this passage: “With its monumentally wrong-headed Citizens United decision…” That was enough for me. Oligarchical elements in our Republic are, indeed, rather strong: but it is instructive to note that they were not weaker under so-called ‘campaign finance reform.’ In fact, if you look at American politics since free speech was reaffirmed under Citizens United you will note that a good number of local political dynasties have been since defeated. 2014 in particular gives some prime examples; but ask the Carnahan family in Missouri how well they’re doing these days. Or the Reids in Nevada. I’m sure that there are other political families now on harder political times, these days. Continue reading Why I stopped reading Gary Hart’s piece on oligarchy.