Last week, congressional Democrats put forward “A Better Deal,” with policies focused on easing economic burdens and helping American workers get ahead. But economic inequality and political inequality are inextricably linked. To rebalance power in our government and enact economic policies that work for working Americans, we first need to restructure the rules of our democracy.
One of the greatest threats to our remarkable experiment in democracy, anticipated by our founders, is corruption in our political system. John Adams captured this concern when he wrote: “Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men.” Adams and his fellow revolutionaries realized the dangerous potential for special interests to monopolize our government and to poison the public’s trust. Today, we can see their fears playing out right before our eyes.
The above excerpt was originally published in RealClearPolicy.
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