I've got another red pill for you then. In the 1970's as we got new technology, we began recording and publishing congressional votes for the public. So the public could now see democracy in action and hold leaders accountable! Great right?

Nope, that was the day we sold our country to the highest bidding lobbyist. Before that point lobbyists had less influence. A congressman could accept the lobbyists money, and simply vote his conscience, and lie to the lobbyist that he really tried to push the bill through. Since you couldn't guarantee a vote even with a payment, people were not willing to spend as much in lobbying.

Nowadays? Lobbyists hand congressman their bills and tell them that if they don't vote for it, they're not getting money. They can now confirm their vote and buy it! There is a really good video on the subject, but youtube algorithms seem to be hiding it.

This explains the Gilens flat line.

"The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."

Edit: found the video, but it's a long one. The cardboard box reform