Unveiling the Power Behind the Throne: A Comprehensive Analysis of Tulsi Gabbard’s Perspective on Who Actually Runs the US Government

The question of who truly governs the United States is a complex and multifaceted issue that has been debated for decades. Tulsi Gabbard, a former U.S. Representative and prominent political figure, has become one of the most vocal critics of the American political establishment. In her recent video titled “Who Actually Runs The US Government?” Gabbard delves into the deep-rooted issues that she believes are undermining the democratic process in the United States. This article will provide a detailed analysis of Gabbard’s arguments, exploring the various elements she highlights as contributing to the erosion of true representative democracy in the U.S., while also incorporating supporting facts and historical context to deepen the understanding of her critique.

Part I: The Military-Industrial Complex

One of the central themes in Gabbard’s video is the influence of the military-industrial complex on U.S. government policies. She argues that this conglomerate of defense contractors, military officials, and politicians has a disproportionate impact on foreign and domestic policy decisions. This notion is not new; President Dwight D. Eisenhower famously warned of the dangers posed by the military-industrial complex in his 1961 farewell address. Eisenhower cautioned that the unchecked power of this alliance could lead to unnecessary wars and excessive military spending at the expense of social welfare programs.

Gabbard builds on this historical warning, pointing out that the U.S. continues to spend an enormous portion of its budget on defense, often at the behest of defense contractors who profit from prolonged military engagements. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the U.S. defense budget in 2022 was approximately $801 billion, far surpassing that of any other nation. Gabbard asserts that this massive expenditure is driven by the interests of the military-industrial complex rather than the needs or desires of the American people.

Part II: The Role of Corporate Lobbyists

In addition to the military-industrial complex, Gabbard highlights the role of corporate lobbyists in shaping U.S. government policy. Lobbying has long been a controversial aspect of American politics, with critics arguing that it allows wealthy corporations to exert undue influence over elected officials. Gabbard contends that this influence is a major factor in the U.S. government’s failure to address critical issues such as healthcare, climate change, and income inequality.

Lobbying in the U.S. is a multi-billion-dollar industry, with the Center for Responsive Politics reporting that $3.73 billion was spent on lobbying in 2021 alone. Corporations and special interest groups use this money to sway lawmakers to pass legislation that benefits their bottom line, often at the expense of the public good. Gabbard argues that this system of legalized bribery creates a government that is more responsive to the needs of the wealthy and powerful than to the needs of ordinary citizens.

Part III: The Influence of the Deep State

Another concept that Gabbard explores in her video is the notion of the “deep state,” a term that refers to the idea that there is a shadowy group of unelected officials and bureaucrats who wield significant power behind the scenes. This idea has gained traction in recent years, particularly among those who believe that the government is not as transparent or accountable as it should be.

Gabbard argues that the deep state represents a serious threat to democracy, as it allows a small group of individuals to make decisions that affect the entire country without any input from the electorate. She points to the intelligence agencies, such as the CIA and NSA, as key components of the deep state, suggesting that these agencies operate with little oversight and often pursue agendas that are not in line with the interests of the American people.

Historically, the concept of a deep state is not unique to the U.S. In countries like Turkey and Egypt, the term has been used to describe the influence of military and intelligence officials who operate independently of elected governments. In the U.S., however, the deep state is often seen as a more nebulous and covert entity, making it difficult to identify or challenge.

Part IV: The Role of the Media

Gabbard also addresses the role of the media in perpetuating the power structures that she believes dominate the U.S. government. She argues that the mainstream media, which is often owned by large corporations, plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and suppressing dissenting voices. This, in turn, helps to maintain the status quo and prevent meaningful change.

The concentration of media ownership in the U.S. has been a growing concern for decades. According to a report by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), just five corporations control roughly 90% of the media outlets in the country. This concentration of power allows these corporations to influence the narratives that dominate the news cycle, often prioritizing stories that align with their business interests.

Gabbard criticizes the media for its role in promoting wars and conflicts, often parroting government talking points without questioning the motives behind them. She suggests that this lack of critical reporting contributes to the perpetuation of the military-industrial complex and the deep state.

Part V: The Erosion of Civil Liberties

Another key issue that Gabbard raises in her video is the erosion of civil liberties in the United States. She argues that the government has increasingly encroached on the rights of citizens in the name of national security, often with the support of both major political parties. This trend has been particularly evident in the wake of the September 11 attacks, which led to the passage of the USA PATRIOT Act and the expansion of surveillance programs.

The PATRIOT Act, which was passed with broad bipartisan support, gave the government sweeping powers to monitor communications, conduct searches without warrants, and detain individuals without due process. Gabbard argues that these measures have undermined the constitutional rights of Americans and have been used to target political dissenters.

She also highlights the role of the NSA’s mass surveillance programs, which were exposed by whistleblower Edward Snowden in 2013. These programs, which involve the collection of vast amounts of data on American citizens, have been widely criticized as unconstitutional and invasive. Gabbard contends that the continuation of these programs is a clear example of the deep state’s influence over government policy.

Part VI: The Failure of the Two-Party System

Gabbard concludes her video by addressing the failures of the two-party system in the United States. She argues that both the Democratic and Republican parties are beholden to the same powerful interests, which prevents them from truly representing the will of the people. This, she suggests, has led to widespread disillusionment with the political process and a growing sense of apathy among voters.

The two-party system has long been criticized for limiting the choices available to voters and for creating a political landscape that is more focused on winning elections than on addressing the needs of the country. Gabbard argues that this system has created a government that is more responsive to the demands of corporate donors and special interest groups than to the needs of the American people.

She advocates for a more inclusive political system that allows for greater representation of diverse viewpoints and for the voices of ordinary citizens to be heard. This, she believes, is the only way to break the stranglehold that the military-industrial complex, corporate lobbyists, the deep state, and the media have on the U.S. government.

Supporting Facts and Historical Context

Throughout her video, Gabbard references several key events and historical figures to support her arguments. For example, she cites the Gulf of Tonkin incident, which led to the escalation of the Vietnam War, as an example of how the military-industrial complex can manipulate public opinion and government policy. The Gulf of Tonkin incident was later revealed to have been misrepresented to the American public, leading many to question the motives behind the war.

Gabbard also references the Church Committee, a Senate committee that was established in the 1970s to investigate abuses by the intelligence agencies. The committee’s findings revealed widespread illegal activities by the CIA, FBI, and NSA, including the surveillance of American citizens and the assassination of foreign leaders. These revelations led to reforms aimed at increasing oversight of the intelligence agencies, but Gabbard argues that these reforms have been insufficient.

In addition, Gabbard points to the influence of corporate money in politics as a major factor in the erosion of democracy in the U.S. She references the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision, which allowed for unlimited corporate spending in elections, as a turning point in the increasing power of corporate interests in government. The decision has been widely criticized for opening the floodgates to corporate money in politics and for further entrenching the influence of wealthy donors.

 

Tulsi Gabbard’s video “Who Actually Runs The US Government?” offers a scathing critique of the power structures that she believes have hijacked American democracy. By examining the influence of the military-industrial complex, corporate lobbyists, the deep state, and the media, Gabbard paints a picture of a government that is increasingly disconnected from the needs and desires of its citizens.

While some may view Gabbard’s arguments as controversial or conspiratorial, they are rooted in a long tradition of skepticism toward concentrated power in the U.S. From Eisenhower’s warning about the military-industrial complex to the revelations of the Church Committee, there is ample historical evidence to support the idea that powerful interests often operate behind the scenes in American politics.

As the U.S. continues to grapple with issues such as income inequality, climate change, and an increasingly polarized political landscape, Gabbard’s call for a more inclusive and representative democracy is more relevant than ever. Whether or not one agrees with her assessment of who actually runs the U.S. government, her video serves as a powerful reminder of the need for greater transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in the democratic process.