Changing The American Plutocracy

What I'm thinking is that the structure has been built for so long, no amount of social programs is going to improve the condition of the poor.

The structure itself has to change and be reformed. Not welfare reform. Absolute political reform, top-down. I don't know how yet.

Some things, like corporate benefits and laws must be reversed, for the good of all. People convicted of crime should still have the right to vote, at least in most circumstances. No one should be thrown in jail for petty drug offenses and no one should be charged with crimes and misdemeanors if there is not sufficient public defense to actually BE a reasonable defense. If a citizen's constitutional right to representation cannot be guaranteed, the charges should be thrown out until the person has a chance to fair trial. Summary Judgement should be used in exceptional cases only, and the right to trial by jury preserved. The right to trial by jury should also be available for charges which harm another but claim only "non-monetary" remedies. IRS cases should allow for trial by jury. The rights to trial by jury should be re-introduced, and if the cost seems prohibitive, fewer people should be charged with crimes and thrown in jail.

Social programs cannot work within a plutocracy. No matter how much money is poured into them, those with the most money will still pull the strings and the incentive of government employees will be to protect their own interests and the interests of the rich (their boss) rather than public interest.

Social programs work in a democracy, or a state such as Sweden, where the distribution is more even to begin with and a stigma in receiving "benefits" is removed.

Capitalism could still work, but policies and laws need to be completely torn down and removed. Which means we need lawyers who have enough money to support lawsuits made on behalf of the public.

These are my general ideas to start.