Decadence of government

In his recent well-written letter (May 2), John Miller persuasively argues that our government has become neither a democracy nor a republic, but an oligarchy (government by a small group). However, no single term is adequate to describe the decadence of our government, which has also become a plutocracy (government by the wealthy, including individuals and corporations).

Even worse, it is, in addition, a kleptocracy (a government that extends the wealth and political power of the government officials at the expense of the people. Check out the health, annual raises unless they vote not to get them, and retirement benefits of Congress, for example). Some might even claim that we have a kakistocracy (government by, for example, the most unprincipled).

Miller does comment that the government belongs to the people who can amend or overthrow it. And what of the people? In the 2012 election, with approval of Congress by the people well below 20 percent, the people re-elected 90 percent of representatives and 91 percent of senators running for re-election. Thus, if the people have the power, we are run by an idiocracy (government by idiots).

William Mahaney

Spokane