Loyal servants of oligarchs

Economist Jeffrey Sachs writes:

Who runs America today? The rich and the multinational corporations. Who runs the White House? David Plouffe, whose job it is to make sure that ever word, every action of the president is calculated for electoral gain rather than the country's needs. Who runs the Congress, on both sides of the aisle? The lobbyists, who win in every negotiation. And who loses? The American people, who have said repeatedly that they want a budget that sharply cuts the military, ends the wars, raises taxes on the rich, protects the poor and the middle class, and invests in America's future not just in Obama's speeches but in fact.

Sach's short essay is worth reading.  It sums up my overall reaction to listening to President Obama and Speaker Boehner on national television last night.

Update: To fully appreciate the mentality of the Republican House caucus members who hold the world economy in their hands, this story is must-read.