Subversions of the democratic process in the U.S.

Summary

There have been various dangers and subversions to an open and accountable democratic process identified in the United States. Depending on one's point of view, these dangers and subversions may come from corporate, ideological or entrenched political interests. The mechanisms can include spreading misinformation through the media, undermining elections, illegal or undue influence on government officials, and secrecy and disproportionate power in the legislative process.

Misinforming the electorate

• Media reform

Undermining elections

• Undermining elections (main article)
• Electoral fraud
• U.S. election irregularities in 2000
• U.S. election irregularities in 2002
• U.S. election irregularities in 2004
• Gerrymandering

Subverting the legislative process

• conference committee
• Medicare Prescription Drug Bill Vote Scandal, 2003
• A Month inside the House of Horrors that is Congress
  • "The House Rules Committee is perhaps the free world's outstanding bureaucratic abomination -- a tiny, airless closet deep in the labyrinth of the Capitol where some of the very meanest people on earth spend their days cleaning democracy like a fish. The official function of the committee is to decide which bills and amendments will be voted on by Congress and also to schedule the parameters of debate. If Rules votes against your amendment, your amendment dies. If you control the Rules Committee, you control Congress."
• gerrymandering

Sabotaging the principles of "checks and balances"

• Executive Orders
• recess appointments

Influence and infiltration of government officials

• Government officials and agencies that have become regulatory lapdogs either through influence or the placement of industry officials in government positions through the revolving door.