The Land of the Free? An Unfree Political Economy and a Select Few Who Benefit
As we approach another election, the familiar rhetoric of freedom and democracy floods the airwaves. But in the so-called “land of the free,” why are we not free to choose a political and economic system that benefits all of us, rather than maintaining a broken status quo? We are told we live in a democracy, yet real alternatives to capitalism are systematically shut out. Recently, a socialist candidate was removed from the ballots in Georgia and Pennsylvania, not because of a lack of support, but because the system itself is rigged to suppress any genuine challenge to the entrenched interests of the wealthy and powerful. This isn’t an isolated event—it’s part of a larger pattern where the political elite, in concert with corporate America, ensures that the economic order remains untouched, even as millions suffer from poverty, homelessness, and lack of access to healthcare. As long as the system protects the few at the expense of the many, our so-called freedom remains little more than an illusion.
The Illusion of Choice
The U.S. political system is often celebrated for offering voters a choice, but when you look beneath the surface, it becomes clear that this “choice” is largely illusory. In reality, both major political parties, private corporations themselves,—the Democrats and the Republicans—operate within the same neoliberal capitalist framework, serving corporate interests above all else. They may differ in rhetoric, but their commitment to preserving the status quo, particularly when it comes to the structure of the economy, is unwavering. It’s two sides of the same corporatist coin, offering the illusion of difference whilst continuing to uphold a system that benefits the wealthy at the expense of the working class and the marginalised.
Alternative political systems, like socialism, are treated as dangerous or impossible, despite clear popular support for policies such as universal healthcare, higher wages, and housing as a human right. Why? Because the entrenched powers—the corporations, political elites, and their allies in the media—have spent generations gaslighting the public into believing that capitalism is the only way, and that any alternative, particularly communism or socialism, leads to disaster. The media constantly reinforces this narrative, selectively pointing to examples like East Germany, without acknowledging the economic warfare it faced through embargoes imposed by the West. The same goes for Cuba, which has been economically strangled by the U.S. for decades, yet continues to be held up as evidence of socialism’s failure rather than of the relentless pressure from Western powers.
This isn’t just ideological. There are systemic barriers in place, like restrictive ballot access laws, that prevent alternative voices from gaining traction. In many states, third-party candidates are forced to meet unreasonable thresholds to appear on the ballot, whilst the two dominant parties have rigged the system to favour their own candidates. Corporate influence is also pervasive; campaign donations and lobbying ensure that the interests of big business dominate the policy agenda, further entrenching the neoliberal status quo. Even when people want something different, they’re left with no real choice, trapped in a system designed to maintain power in the hands of a few. The constant barrage from corporate media and the suppression of alternative voices serve only to reinforce this illusion, keeping the people gaslit, and the status quo unchallenged.
Who Benefits from the Status Quo?
The real beneficiaries of the current political and economic system are not the working people or the vast majority of Americans struggling with inadequate healthcare, unaffordable housing, and precarious employment. Instead, it’s the corporations, billionaires, and political elites who continue to reap enormous profits whilst the rest of the population is left behind. The maintenance of the status quo is carefully designed to serve these elites, who have the resources and influence to shape policies in their favour, all while working-class people are scapegoated for systemic problems they didn’t create.
Take Elon Musk, for example—the quintessential grifter who has mastered the art of exploiting the system. His wealth, much of which has been built on government contracts and taxpayer money, gives him disproportionate power to influence elections and public discourse. Despite being one of the richest people in the world, Musk is still treated as a visionary and a job creator, whilst the real consequences of his wealth accumulation are felt by those who are struggling. He pours millions into supporting candidates like Trump, another classic grifter who has spent his political career advancing policies that benefit the wealthy whilst leaving the working class to fend for themselves. Musk’s political contributions and influence aren’t just acts of personal ambition—they are part of a broader pattern where billionaires buy political power to ensure their interests are protected.
Meanwhile, the rest of the population is left to deal with policies designed to keep them in their place. Tax cuts and deregulation are consistently framed as beneficial for all, but the reality is that they overwhelmingly benefit corporations and the ultra-wealthy. Corporate tax cuts allow companies to hoard more profits, whilst deregulation strips away protections for workers and consumers, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. When the economy falters, or when people can’t access healthcare or housing, it’s not the system that’s blamed—it’s the individuals. The working class is told they didn’t work hard enough, that they didn’t make the right choices, or that they are to blame for their own suffering. This deflection keeps the spotlight off the policies and power structures that are actually responsible.
In this way, the wealthy and powerful maintain their grip on the system, ensuring that real change remains out of reach. The status quo benefits them because it allows them to continue amassing wealth and power unchecked, while the rest of society is left to scramble for scraps. The system isn’t broken for them—it’s working exactly as intended.
A ‘Christian Nation?’ Hypocrisy and Human Suffering
The United States loves to call itself a “Christian nation,” invoking the language of faith and moral righteousness in its political discourse. Yet, the glaring contradiction between this self-proclaimed identity and the reality of widespread poverty and human suffering is impossible to ignore. Whilst churches—most of whom enjoy tax-exempt status—sit empty, people sleep on the streets, struggle to find shelter, and go without basic necessities. If this is truly a Christian nation, where are the ethics of care, the compassion, the fundamental principle of “loving thy neighbour” that is so central to Christian teachings? The vast inequality and indifference to human suffering suggest that these values are nothing more than empty rhetoric.
At the heart of this contradiction lies the question: How can a nation that claims to uphold Christian values allow such widespread misery? The answer, of course, is that the system is designed to perpetuate inequality. The same political and religious leaders who invoke Christian values are often the ones defending policies that benefit the wealthy whilst turning a blind eye to the needs of the poor. Religious institutions, many of which are exempt from taxes, hold vast wealth and property whilst contributing little to solving the very problems they preach against. Instead of using their resources to address poverty, they too often remain silent on the issues of homelessness and inequality, focusing instead on defending their own privileges.
The hypocrisy of this “Christian nation” becomes even clearer when you look at the behaviour of political and religious leaders. These are the same people who frequently push for tax cuts for the rich, deregulation of industries, and policies that favour corporations, all whilst espousing moral values from the pulpit or campaign trail. The suffering of the poor is not just ignored—it is blamed on the individuals themselves. Politicians and preachers alike suggest that poverty is a result of laziness, moral failure, or a lack of faith, completely ignoring the systemic forces that keep people in cycles of poverty and despair.
Whilst the elite hoard wealth and evade taxes, millions of Americans are left without healthcare, housing, or adequate support. Churches, with their tax-exempt status and enormous influence, could play a crucial role in addressing this suffering, yet many remain passive or even complicit in defending the status quo. The stark hypocrisy of a nation that claims Christian values while allowing such deep inequality to persist speaks to the way religion has been weaponised to maintain power and privilege, rather than to promote genuine care for the vulnerable. If these leaders truly believed in the values they preach, the suffering outside their doors would be a call to action, not something to ignore.
The ‘Leader of the Free World?’ A System Built to Protect the Few
The United States proudly brands itself as the “leader of the free world,” yet within its borders, millions of Americans live in poverty, fear, and insecurity. Homelessness is rampant, hunger persists, and healthcare remains out of reach for many. This stark contrast between the country’s self-image and the lived reality of its people calls into question the legitimacy of its claim to lead the world in anything other than maintaining inequality. What kind of freedom does the U.S. represent when its own citizens struggle to meet their basic needs, and the political system seems incapable of, or unwilling to, address these crises?
This so-called leadership extends beyond its borders through U.S. aid, which is often portrayed as a benevolent force. Yet, the reality is much more cynical. Foreign aid frequently bypasses the people it is meant to help, funnelling money into American multinationals who “deliver services” in those countries. Local industries, already weakened by decades of exploitation and colonial legacies, cannot compete against this ‘free’ assistance, which is anything but free. It reinforces U.S. economic dominance and further impoverishes the nations it claims to help, locking them into a cycle of dependency while enriching the corporations that siphon off the aid. This is not leadership—it’s economic imperialism disguised as charity.
Back at home, the system is similarly designed to prioritise corporate profits over the welfare of its people. The solutions to problems like homelessness and hunger are not complicated. There are more empty homes than homeless people, and the wealth exists to ensure that no one goes hungry. Yet, the political and economic system is not built to solve these problems. Instead, it is structured to protect the interests of corporations and the elite. Laws that criminalise feeding the homeless, for example, exist not to maintain public order, but to protect businesses by ensuring public spaces are ‘sanitised’ for profit-driven activities. Similarly, corporations sponsor legislation that crowds out competition and reinforces their monopolies, all whilst keeping wages low and exploiting workers.
This is not a system that serves the majority—it is rigged to keep the few at the top. Corporate lobbying is nothing more than legalised bribery, allowing businesses to buy influence and shape policies that benefit them whilst the needs of ordinary people are ignored. The revolving door between politics and business, where former politicians become lobbyists and executives and vice versa, ensures that the regulatory bodies meant to hold corporations accountable are instead captured by them, leaving the public defenceless against exploitation. The electoral system, far from being a tool of democracy, serves as the ultimate protector of the status quo, where the will of the electorate is subverted by gerrymandering, voter suppression, and the overwhelming influence of money in politics.
In the end, the U.S. is not the “leader of the free world” but rather the leader in protecting corporate interests and the wealth of the elite. The system is designed to do exactly that—maintain inequality, preserve the power of the few, and ensure that real change remains out of reach for the many. It’s a system that protects itself at all costs, leaving behind those it claims to represent.
Final thoughts …
As election day draws near, it’s worth reflecting on what true freedom and justice could look like in the United States. If we are to live in a country that genuinely embodies these values, we need a political economy that serves everyone—not just the wealthy few. This would mean an economy where housing, healthcare, and food are human rights, not commodities; where workers are paid fairly and corporate greed is checked by laws that serve the people, not profit. The current system, with its entrenched inequality, cannot simply be tweaked—it must be dismantled and replaced with one that prioritises human well-being and justice over the interests of corporations and the elite.
The question for voters now is, what will it take to create this kind of change? The system, as it stands, protects itself through corporate influence, media manipulation, and the suppression of alternatives. But change is possible. It begins by rejecting the status quo and imagining something different. This election, we’re not just choosing between candidates—we’re choosing whether to accept the world as it is or to fight for the world as it could be. Real freedom doesn’t mean just going to the polls; it means demanding a system that reflects the values of justice, equality, and dignity for all.
Your vote matters, but only if it’s a vote against the corporate candidates who maintain the structures of inequality. Voting for real change means supporting those who challenge the status quo, not those who protect it. Now is the time to embrace the possibility of a more just society—one where the wealth of the nation serves the people, not the powerful. Real freedom requires us to act, to reject the lies we’ve been told, and to demand a future that belongs to all of us, not just a select few. The choice is yours on election day—let it be one that reflects your values.