Al Gore: American Democracy Hacked
on Monday, July 20, 2015Al Gore Money Quotation saying our legislators spend too much energy chasing dollars and that subverts democracy and stifles positive legislative change. Al Gore said:
“The most serious dysfunction in American democracy is now in the legislative branch, in Congress, because they spend most of their time begging rich people and special interests for money. America democracy has been hacked” — Al Gore
In this quote, Al Gore is criticizing how money in politics has undermined the functioning of Congress and democracy. He argues that members of Congress spend too much of their time fundraising from wealthy donors and special interest groups rather than doing the people’s work.
This preoccupation with money has “hacked” or compromised American democracy by distorting the priorities and decision making of our elected representatives.
Gore suggests that democracy is not served when elected officials feel more beholden to their donors rather than constituents. The quote expresses concern that dependence on large contributions has seriously dysfunctional and damaged the legislative branch’s ability to properly represent the people.