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Wednesday, December 3, 2008 12:00 AM

Nepotistic succession in the political class

A large, and rapidly growing, percentage of high elected officials are part of politically powerful families. What accounts for this anti-democratic dynamic?
Glenn Greenwald

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  • Wednesday, December 3, 2008 05:49 PM

    Kind of a tacky, small premise

    Americans in all walks of life use connections to get ahead. Cops in Boston, farmers in Iowa, preachers, miners, teachers, UAW members, etc, etc...

    Families that have some, any kind of power or influence, pass it on to various family members, and have done so for all time. The example cited in Illinois is pretty fucked, but I'm sure some shlepp car salesman in Bozemen made manager earlier than he should have because his uncle's name adorned the sign above the shop.

    Mostly, people are judged by what they do in the position they're in. Earned or otherwise.

    —mattmclain Read mattmclain's other letters

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