Originally Posted by Oriphiel

Because rich people have ideals just like we do, except they have the clout to make those ideals a reality. Obama promised the right things to the right people, and successfully funded his campaign. Looks like this time the conservatives were the ones who threw their money and promises around harder. Sometimes the liberals win, sometimes the republicans win, but either way, both benefit from this system where people are polarized between joining one side or the other.

My point isn't that there is some shadowy room in washington where rich people hang out and make decisions. Hardly. My point is that most of the wealthy in America are connected to either the liberals or the conservatives, and get richer off of their constituents. They benefit from funneling people into one of two sides.

Of course, as soon as someone suggests a system more similar to what Trollheart described is in place in Ireland, where people have more options, and there's more transparency with their local politicians and local issues, both the liberals and the conservatives get angry.