During the past 35 years we have witnessed the unprecedented rise of dynastic politics at the federal level. Consider this: There has been a Bush as either President or Vice President for 20 of the past 35 years. Add 8 years of Bill Clinton as President and you have two families dominating the national political stage for 28 of the past 35 years or 80% of the time. And this does not include Hillary Clinton’s four years as Secretary of State under Obama or her failed run at the presidency in 2008. Nine out of the past ten Presidential election cycles, including this one, have seen a Bush and/or a Clinton in the mix.
When two political families dominate Presidential politics for over three decades, real questions need to be asked about the continued viability of our democratic institutions and political process. It is not only the hubris and sense of entitlement that emanates from the Bush and Clinton families that are concerning, but also, it is the support they receive from the political establishments of their parties, major donors, and special interests. What is particularly odd is the silence from the so-called mainstream media and the other Presidential candidates. Why didn’t they challenge explicitly the dominance of these two families in our national politics? They should have been decrying the mere candidacy of another Clinton or Bush.
Entrenched incumbents, wooed by K Street lobbyists, (many of whom are former colleagues), spouse and family employment are commonplace.
Private Sector Favors: (I learned about this one this week!
W VA Senator Manchin's daughter = Heather Bresch
Her Annual Salary:$18,931,068!!! (Read about her!)