The Illusion of Influence: Why Voting Fails to Challenge the U.S. Empire
Voting is often heralded as a cornerstone of democracy in the United States, a fundamental right that empowers citizens to shape their government. However, the reality is much more complex. In practice, voting frequently serves to uphold a system designed to benefit the military-industrial complex (MIC) and entrenched white Christian interests. The prevailing belief that lobbying and campaign finance are the primary means through which wealth influences policy is a myth that distracts from the deeper systemic issues at play. This article explores why voting often feels futile, how the illusion of lobbying power protects the U.S. empire, and why engaging with the restoration of Indigenous sovereignty — understood as the complete dismantling of the U.S. as a colonial power — is a more meaningful path for those seeking systemic change.
The U.S. Empire and the 1%
At the heart of understanding why voting doesn’t matter is the relationship between the U.S. empire and the wealthiest Americans. The U.S. empire is not merely a geopolitical entity; it is a system that creates and sustains the wealth of the top 1%. This relationship is crucial to understanding the dynamics of power in American politics.
