The ability of the 1 percent to buy politicians and regulators is nothing new in American politics – just as inequality has been a permanent part of our economic system. This is true of virtually all political and economic systems. – Eric Alterman
Local politics, like everything else, are not what they used to be. But the fact is that our political system – like our physical existence – still breaks down along geographical lines. – Eric Alterman
For the past eight years, the right has been better at working the refs. Now the left is learning how to play the game. – Eric Alterman
The myth of the liberal media empowers conservatives to control debate in the United States to the point where liberals cannot even hope for a fair shake anymore. – Eric Alterman
American influence in the world is certainly considerable, but the United States does not control, directly or indirectly, the politics and economics of other societies, as empires have always done, save for a few special cases that turn out to be the exceptions that prove the rule. – Michael Mandelbaum