Jimmy Carter on US 'Oligarchy' and Corrupting Power of Money on Politics
Former president said he'd not be "inclined" or "capable" of raising the massive funds needed to get elected today
Commenting on the political landscape, now six years after the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter laments that Washington D.C. has become corrupted by the influence of money.
"We've become, now, an oligarchy instead of a democracy," Carter told Oprah Winfrey in an interview excerpt released on Tuesday. "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."
When asked if he would be able to become president today, the Nobel Peace Prize winner answered: "Absolutely not."
"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," Carter continued. "I would not be inclined to do that, and I would not be capable of doing it," he added.
The current presidential campaign has seen an unprecedented amount of money flow into both the candidates' own coffers as well as into the super PACs that support them.
What's more, this tidal wave of cash is coming from a handful of the nation's wealthiest donors. Reportedly half of the $388 million contributed so far to campaigns on both sides of the political spectrum came from fewer than 400 families, with 62 donors giving at least $1 million.
Carter's interview, which will be aired on Sept. 27 on Oprah's SuperSoul Sunday program, was reportedly taped just before the the 91-year-old announced last month that he would be undergoing treatment for stage 4 melanoma.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Commenting on the political landscape, now six years after the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter laments that Washington D.C. has become corrupted by the influence of money.
"We've become, now, an oligarchy instead of a democracy," Carter told Oprah Winfrey in an interview excerpt released on Tuesday. "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."
When asked if he would be able to become president today, the Nobel Peace Prize winner answered: "Absolutely not."
"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," Carter continued. "I would not be inclined to do that, and I would not be capable of doing it," he added.
The current presidential campaign has seen an unprecedented amount of money flow into both the candidates' own coffers as well as into the super PACs that support them.
What's more, this tidal wave of cash is coming from a handful of the nation's wealthiest donors. Reportedly half of the $388 million contributed so far to campaigns on both sides of the political spectrum came from fewer than 400 families, with 62 donors giving at least $1 million.
Carter's interview, which will be aired on Sept. 27 on Oprah's SuperSoul Sunday program, was reportedly taped just before the the 91-year-old announced last month that he would be undergoing treatment for stage 4 melanoma.
Commenting on the political landscape, now six years after the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter laments that Washington D.C. has become corrupted by the influence of money.
"We've become, now, an oligarchy instead of a democracy," Carter told Oprah Winfrey in an interview excerpt released on Tuesday. "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."
When asked if he would be able to become president today, the Nobel Peace Prize winner answered: "Absolutely not."
"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," Carter continued. "I would not be inclined to do that, and I would not be capable of doing it," he added.
The current presidential campaign has seen an unprecedented amount of money flow into both the candidates' own coffers as well as into the super PACs that support them.
What's more, this tidal wave of cash is coming from a handful of the nation's wealthiest donors. Reportedly half of the $388 million contributed so far to campaigns on both sides of the political spectrum came from fewer than 400 families, with 62 donors giving at least $1 million.
Carter's interview, which will be aired on Sept. 27 on Oprah's SuperSoul Sunday program, was reportedly taped just before the the 91-year-old announced last month that he would be undergoing treatment for stage 4 melanoma.