A peer-reviewed Princeton study concludes that the US is more of an oligarchy than a democracy. They reviewed the political inclinations of the super rich and the average person and came to the conclusion that the average voters opinion barely matters while the ultra rich get their way. The elites comes mostly from areas like banking, finance and military.
@hkkmr and others have promoted a democratic state as a means to fight the "corporate" power (ironically, corporations cannot exist without the state by definition). I bet they are now crying for more regulation towards private sector without realizing that it is just like asking a goat to guard the cabbages.
To me, this is no news. While I think US is having it worst among the Western democracies, that country will not be a sole exception. EU is already following it's steps, if it's not by it's side already.
Ask yourself what would the Founding Fathers do and you get a pretty good picture of where I am coming from.
Hint: The answer is not "Vote the other lizard"