Skip to main content

Trending Towards an Oligarchy (Originally Written May 2, 2024)

 The current trajectory of the Republican Party increasingly appears to be emulating Russia's approach to governance, characterized by authoritarian and oligarchical principles. This trend is alarming, not only for the future of American democracy but also for the foundational values upon which our nation was built.

Historically, the United States has prided itself on being a beacon of democracy, with a governance system designed to prevent the concentration of power and to ensure the protection of individual freedoms. However, recent actions and rhetoric from the Republican Party signal a departure from these principles, moving towards a model where power, wealth, and influence are the ultimate goals, regardless of the means to achieve them.

The admiration expressed by some Republican leaders for the authoritarian leadership style of Vladimir Putin is indicative of this shift. Putin's Russia is characterized by a suppression of dissent, control over the media, and the manipulation of the electoral process to maintain power. The emulation of these tactics by any political party in the United States is antithetical to the democratic ideals we hold dear.

Moreover, the increasing concentration of wealth and influence among a small oligarchical class within the Republican Party suggests a move away from the principle of government "of the people, by the people, for the people." Instead, policy decisions appear to be increasingly influenced by the interests of a few, at the expense of the broader populace. This oligarchical tendency undermines the egalitarian ethos that is central to the concept of American democracy. The Democratic Party's indifference or complicity on this point is making this trend worse.

The pursuit of power for its own sake and the willingness to eschew democratic principles to achieve it pose a significant threat to the fabric of our nation. Democracy thrives on open debate, the competition of ideas, and the peaceful transition of power. When a political party places its own interests above those of the country, it erodes public trust and weakens the institutions that are essential for a healthy democracy.

As citizens, it is our duty to remain vigilant and to demand better from our leaders. Both the Republican and Democratic Parties must recommit themselves to the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability. Only then can it truly serve the interests of the American people and uphold the values that have made our nation great.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Bibliography: Artificial Intelligence Articles

CHATGPT AS THE ENEMY: New Sanctions Against Lawyers Relying on ChatGPT Likely as Jay Edelson Speaks of ChatGPT Encouraging Suicide , Eric Troutman, JDSupra (Feb. 16, 2026) What’s Left For Humans? , Georgia Wells, Wall Street Journal (Feb. 15, 2026) Will LLMs Become Obsolete? , John Werner, Forbes  (Feb. 14, 2026) When AI Isn’t Privileged , Jeffrey Ehrlich et al., JDSupra (Feb. 13, 2026)  The Perils of Blind Faith in Artificial Intelligence , Kristen Coleman & Alan Taylor, JDSupra (Feb. 13, 2026)  Calif. Atty Wins $25K Fee Sanction Over AI Errors , Emily Sawicki,  Law360  (Feb. 11, 2026) OpenAI Is Making the Mistakes Facebook Made. I Quit. , Zoë Hitzig, N.Y. Times (Feb. 11, 2026) No, the human-robot singularity isn’t here. But we must take action to govern AI , Samuel Woolley, The Guardian (Feb. 10, 2026) OpenAI Executive Who Opposed ‘Adult Mode’ Fired for Sexual Discrimination , Georgia Wells, N.Y. Times (Feb. 10, 2026) A.I. Is Giving You a Personaliz...

AI Sanction Cases Archive

2025 Cases In  Med. Buyer's Grp. v. Pence , No. 25-cv-105, 2025 WL 3217751, at *1 (M.D. Ga. Nov. 18, 2025), the court addressed whether the plaintiff's counsel violated Rule 11(b)(2) by submitting briefs containing flawed case citations, including citations to non-existent cases and a case that did not support the cited proposition. The court ordered sanctions, which included a public admonishment of counsel and allowed the defendants to submit motions to recoup reasonable attorney fees incurred due to the flawed citations.  Id.  at *2. The court stated that no further monetary sanctions will be imposed in this case, and failure to comply with these terms may result in contempt.  Id.  After reviewing the defendants' requests, the court awarded $10,000 in attorney fees as sanctions for citing non-existent cases.  Med. Buyer's Grp. , No. 25-cv-105, 2026 WL 149949 (M.D. Ga. Jan. 20, 2026). In  Cruz v. United States , No. 24-cv-1087, 2025 WL 3641170, ...

Miss Criss: The Heart of John Marshall, In the Loop, The John Marshall Law School, Oct. 28, 2012

This article was originally published in The John Marshall Law School's "In The Loop". The article has been edited in part for consistency.   When students leave The John Marshall Law School, they remember a favorite professor, a heart-stopping exam, good times with their study group, teammates in a competition. And, the indelible mark of love is given to students by Miss Marilyn J. Criss. They carry her endearment with them for years. She is a special person who brings a kind spirit to the law school through her warmth, compassion and genuine love for all associated with the law school. What goes on in the classroom is important, but just as important is for students to know they have someone to turn to when they have a problem. Miss Criss, the administrative assistant in Student Affairs, is their shoulder to cry on, the knowledgeable mother who can give advice, and the great confidant. She doesn’t judge. In her eyes, everyone is equal and all deserve respect. “It behoov...