Only a Thin Veneer of Democracy?

Sadly, George Monbiot expresses an obvious truism, by maintaining that the UK's vastly wealthy really hold political power. Monbiot notes the rich employ a 'concierge class' of newspaper editors; 'think-tanks', lobbyists and lawyers to look after their 'interests'. The net result is that the general public is coerced into accepting that this is the 'natural state of things'. Folk who don't accept this view, are often eliminated from 'mainstream dialogue' (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/15/tragedy-modern-britain-piers-morgan-playbook). The UK's party system and 'first past the post' modes of doing politics, play into the hands of wealthy power brokers. Don't like the law- get it changed! Monbiot also reiterates that the behaviour of the vastly wealthy has a hugely disproportinate effect on climate change. Decide to go a shorter distance- burn off the fuel in your private jet! It can be argued that the same characteristics, 'with bells on', applies to the USA. Billionaires seem to largely do what they damn well please! If they don't like public opinion, they can also get their concierges to change it.