Jimmy Carter: "We've Become An Oligarchy Instead Of A Democracy." The Plebes Are Thrilled!

President Carter: 'We've become, now, an oligarchy instead of a democracy.' 

• 66 Comments / 66 New

"There's no way now for you to get a Democratic or Republican nomination without being able to raise $200 or $300 million, or more. I would not be inclined to do that, and I would not be capable of doing it." - President Jimmy Carter

Former President Jimmy Carter expressed his dismay and frustration over the current political election system in an Oprah Winfrey "SuperSoul Sunday" interview trailer. The complete interview will air Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. ET on the OWN network.

Oprah Winfrey asked the 91-year old peacemaker, humanitarian, and advocate for fair elections, if he thought he could win a presidential election today. He said:

"Absolutely not."

"We've become, now, an oligarchy instead of a democracy. I think that's been the worst damage to the basic moral and ethical standards to the American political system that I've ever seen in my life."

President Carter also spoke on this subject with Thom Hartmann in July 2015. Here is an transcript excerpt, followed by a YouTube audio clip:

"It violates the essence of what made America a great country in its political system. Now it’s just an oligarchy, with unlimited political bribery being the essence of getting the nominations for president or to elect the president. And the same thing applies to governors and U.S. senators and congress members. So now we’ve just seen a complete subversion of our political system as a payoff to major contributors, who want and expect and sometimes get favors for themselves after the election’s over."

It's no surprise, President Carter is, once again, spot on. Since the United States Supreme Court rulings on Citizens United v. FEC and McCutcheon v. FEC, special interests can, now, essentially buy candidates, buy elections, and ultimately buy new laws that favor big banks, corporations, and the ultra rich (those able to pay). This was not the case back in the 1970s when President Carter ran for office. Back then, political campaigns were publicly funded by the government, rather than by private individuals and organizations.

Via The Carter Center, President Carter has monitored 100 elections in 38 countries since 1989. What a discouragement and embarrassment the current American election system must be to him. Still, his tireless advocacy for fairness and justice continues even with his recent health problems. He truly is a remarkable human being.

Many thanks to President Carter for his unabashed allegiance to truth.

A new Facebook page has been created to pay tribute to President Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, called Honoring Jimmy Carter. The page, and it has grown to over 65,000 LIKES in one month.

Special thanks to Lisa Capretto/Huffington Post and John Scwarz/The Intercept.