As part of Marx's famous theory on the basis of society, the rich should control the ideological superstructure, just as they control the economic base. Politics, or government, is merely an extension of the corporations that own the senators and representatives. Millionaires only make up 5% of the US population yet they account for 47% of all members of Congress. Congress is full of lobbyists courting elected officials to vote in favor of large corporations and secure elusive contracts for them. With the arrival of Super PAC's on the political scene, the bourgeoisie are given an unprecedented and disproportionate say in how our government is run. The wealthy even manage to pay lower taxes than their secretaries.
The bourgeoisie influence extends far beyond just the government. The media celebrates the wealthy, even if they contribute nothing to society. The Kardashians are stars. The media even pays attention to famous individuals with drug addictions. When Micheal Jackson, Whitney Hudson, and Amy Winehouse died of drug overdoses or cocaine addictions, they suddenly became relevant again in the news. Paris Hilton gets out of jail early for drunk driving and avoided jail time for possession of cocaine. With our capitalist base, we are a nation for the corporations, by the corporations, and for the corporations.
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