We no longer live in a genuine democracy (or Constitutional Republic if you want to be precise). We live in an Empire with a faux democratic veneer that is in place to keep people believing that "politics as usual" (aka, voting and the two party system) actually works at the national level. It doesn't. Not any more. For one thing, we can no longer be certain that our votes are being counted as cast. But even if they are, we see over and over again that the laws of the land are "bent" and "fashioned" to serve purposes often OTHER THAN those publicly stated.

What we have at base is a fascist national security state apparatus that operates beyond the limitations of the Constitution while maintaining rule and cooperation (the consent of the governed) primarily through deception and propaganda. In other words, what we have is rule by a criminal class that is for all practical purposes above the law. Many seemingly controversial things ("free speech" for example) are allowed within the circumference of this apparatus so long as they do not directly challenge, expose, threaten or jeopardize the established structures of fascist (corporate owned) wealth and power. We see precisely what happens when anyone (such as a Bradley Manning) attempts to expose these operations.

This is an radical analysis of our current predicament but if one looks at what government DOES instead of what it "says" it is difficult to come to any other reasonable conclusion. Obama was selected to play the role of "President of the United States" in much the same way that recent previous presidents have been selected. The function of a POTUS today is more that of a PR representative or puppet "flack catcher" for the ruling elite. Love him or hate him so long as social and media attention are focused on the person in that office (and not on those who are actually running the show behind the scenes) all is well. The President has power within a very limited sphere. But beyond that sphere he takes orders from those who "own" his position. He dare not exercise any opinion, position or power that would directly challenge, expose, threaten or jeopardize the established structures of the national security state. To even think of doing so would risk not only his political position but very likely the safety and security of his person and those closest to him.

This is the stark political reality we are now living in at the national level. To operate as if "politics as usual" can extricate us from this predicament is to exist in a state of denial that perpetuates the problem.

edit typo