Indeed. Good essay. America is actually a republic (not a democracy) and all republics end up with the reign of oligarchs and kleptocracts. We have the best government money can buy and it is cheap. A million in dark money contributions (free speech my ass) will net you billions in ill-gotten gain. Democracy is a bigger project, note: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/capsule-review/2021-12-14/democracy-time-coronavirus