'American democracy' just a money-talk sham

The United States has long portrayed itself as a "beacon of democracy". Even in the face of the growing problems of money politics, political polarization, social divisions, wealth gap, racial discrimination, gun violence and so on, US politicians still declare that US democracy is the model for the world.

US democracy is a "rich men's game" based on capital, and money has always been the "hard currency" in US politics. US democracy represents and serves the interests of the wealthy, as money runs through all the links of elections, legislation and administration in the country.

The inequality of economic status is transformed into the inequality of political status, which virtually oppresses and restricts US citizens' right to participate in politics. The 2020 presidential election was the most expensive election in history, costing $14 billion. And statistics show that 91 percent of US congressional elections are won by the candidates with the most financial support. When they are elected, they naturally serve the benefactors behind them, acting as spokespersons for the vested interests.

US democracy supposedly has checks and balances, yet it is increasingly mired in partisan politics. With the intensification of political polarization, the consensus between the two parties in the US has been shrinking, and the vicious circle of veto politics and political deadlock has almost paralyzed the policymaking system in the country. Both parties use their veto power as a weapon, which inevitably weakens the effectiveness of governance, undermines the fair rule of law, widens social divisions and makes ordinary people victims.

The chaos caused by the disorder of US democracy continues to play out, continuously eroding people's confidence in it. Surveys indicate that 57 percent of international respondents and 72 percent of US residents believe that the US is no longer a "model of democracy".

But so far, the US seems to have little desire or ability to correct itself.

Increasingly, it is proving that the US has never been a stellar student of democracy, let alone a model. US democracy does not grow stronger in the hollow slogans mouthed by US politicians. Instead of indulging in self-deception, politicizing, instrumenting and weaponizing democracy and interfering in other countries' internal affairs, US politicians should face up to the structural defects in their own system and do something to benefit the US people and people around the world.