The balance of power between capitalism and democracy has been increasingly out of balance for generations now. Our economic system has a choke-hold on our system of governance. This unhealthy, unsustainable relationship has led to the demoralization of the American worker. (And, indeed, the demoralization of labor in just about any part of the world; capitalism in the 21st century, as we all know, is one tangled, global affair.)

David Stockman had an essay in the New York Times earlier this week entitled “Sundown in America,” in which he convincing outlines how, exactly, capitalism has made democracy so impotent. His skillful description of the control that the Federal Reserve has over the US government–and the control that the European Central bank has over the 27 sovereign nations in the EU–is frightful.