American society’s three major pillars:
Civil Institutions
Labor / Middle Class
Core Principles: The middle class is the strength of America and comprises of families, schools, religious institutions, community organizations, and media that shape values, norms, and civic participation. We are the pride of America.
Institutions involved: Sports teams, Churches, local nonprofits, universities, community news, volunteer groups.
Why it matters: It’s where Americans learn ethics, responsibility, identity, and empathy. It’s how we build trust and cohesion with each other and grow.
Democracy
Political Class
Core Principles: The political class is the heart of America and holds strong the belief in representative government, individual rights, rule of law, and the Constitution as guiding moralities.
Institutions involved: Congress, courts, free and fair elections, checks and balances, Local and State government.
Why it matters: This is where the American experiment is constantly tested and underpins civil liberties, public accountability, and the peaceful transfer of power from one generation to the next.
Capitalism
Corporate Class
Core Principles: The corporate class is the engine that powers the American Dream. A market-based economy with private property, entrepreneurship, and the pursuit of individual success and communal success.
Institutions involved: Corporations, small businesses, Wall Street, the Federal Reserve, consumer protections.
Why it matters: It fuels innovation, wealth creation, and the American Dream—but also raises questions of inequality and fairness.
When these three pillars are in equilibrium, American Prospers…
…However, over the last 50 years there has been a shifting of societal burden from one pillar onto another.
Corporations have used their influence to purchase the Political Class and enact laws that favor them, leaving the working class to suffer.
In 2024:
$4.4 Billion spent on influencing federal policy
For every $1 spent lobbying, an ROI of ~$760 is received in federal support and tax savings
Billionaires got $2 Trillion richer
