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US Politics Has Always Been Corrupt and Anti-Democratic, But Now Trump Has Taken Their Underwear Off

The notion that the United States is a bastion of democracy has long been a convenient myth, perpetuated both domestically and internationally. While the country has championed democratic ideals in rhetoric, its political system has been rife with corruption, voter suppression, and the disproportionate influence of wealth. From the 20th century to the present day, examples abound of how US politics has operated in an anti-democratic manner. However, with the rise of Donald Trump, the facade of decorum has all but disintegrated, revealing the raw, unabashed reality of systemic corruption.

20th Century: The Foundations of Corruption and Manipulation

  1. Tammany Hall and Political Machine Corruption Throughout the early 20th century, political machines such as New York’s Tammany Hall epitomised systemic corruption. These entities controlled elections through bribery, patronage, and voter fraud. While figures like Boss Tweed are infamous, machine politics influenced national policies, rewarding loyalty over democracy.
  2. The Red Scare and McCarthyism (1940s-50s) Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anti-communist witch hunts illustrated the dangers of political paranoia and manipulation. Thousands of Americans were blacklisted, careers destroyed, and civil liberties trampled upon in the name of ideological purity, all sanctioned by a government more concerned with control than democratic principles.
  3. The Southern Strategy and Racial Suppression (1960s-70s) The Republican Party’s “Southern Strategy” capitalised on white resentment towards civil rights advancements, systematically disenfranchising Black voters. While the Civil Rights Movement made gains, voter suppression tactics such as literacy tests and gerrymandering ensured racial minorities remained politically marginalised.
  4. Watergate Scandal (1972-74) Richard Nixon’s presidency showcased how executive power could be weaponised against political opponents. The Watergate break-in and subsequent cover-up led to Nixon’s resignation but demonstrated how corruption permeated even the highest levels of government.
  5. Iran-Contra Affair (1980s) Under President Reagan, the administration secretly sold arms to Iran and funnelled proceeds to right-wing militias in Nicaragua, bypassing congressional oversight. The scandal exposed the executive branch’s willingness to violate democratic checks and balances to pursue ideological goals.

21st Century: The Decay Becomes More Brazen

  1. The 2000 Presidential Election and Electoral Manipulation The controversial Bush v. Gore Supreme Court decision effectively handed George W. Bush the presidency despite Al Gore winning the popular vote. The intervention of the judiciary in electoral outcomes set a dangerous precedent that undermined public faith in democracy.
  2. The Iraq War and Manufactured Consent (2003) The Bush administration misled the public and the international community about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, leading to a disastrous war. The manipulation of intelligence and media illustrated how government deception could be used to justify imperialistic aggression.
  3. Citizens United Ruling (2010) The Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC allowed unlimited corporate spending in elections, solidifying the role of money in politics. This ruling effectively turned elections into auctions, where the wealthiest donors wielded disproportionate influence over policy and legislation.
  4. Voter Suppression and Gerrymandering (2010s-Present) States such as Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina have implemented voter ID laws, purged voter rolls, and redrawn district maps to dilute minority and Democratic-leaning voter power. These tactics, while cloaked in legality, are reminiscent of Jim Crow-era suppression.
  5. The Trump Presidency: The Shameless Erosion of Democracy Donald Trump’s tenure obliterated any remaining illusion of US democracy operating with integrity.
    • His administration openly sought foreign interference in elections (the Ukraine scandal, Russian collusion allegations).He attempted to overturn legitimate electoral results (2020 election denial, Capitol insurrection).He appointed Supreme Court justices who rolled back fundamental rights (Roe v. Wade overturn).He used presidential power for personal enrichment (emoluments clause violations, nepotism).
    While previous leaders engaged in corruption behind closed doors, Trump revelled in it publicly, bringing the US political system to a breaking point.

The Underwear is Off, and the Emperor Has No Clothes

US politics has always been deeply corrupt, with democracy often serving as a mere facade. The 20th century laid the groundwork for institutionalised manipulation, while the 21st century, particularly under Trump, made this corruption glaringly obvious. Trump did not create this system; he simply abandoned all pretence of respectability, leaving the US political establishment exposed for what it truly is: a system rigged for the wealthy and powerful, indifferent to democratic principles and the will of the people. As we progress through his presidency, more and more anti-democratic authoritarian policies will be implemented, and the USA will increasingly become the pariah, not the champion.

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