Democracy That Abandons the 3 Treasures

Democratic politics, ideally, are for all people. The “three treasures” of democracy are that it is "of the people, by the people and for the people." If these three treasures no longer exist, democracy will be hollow, retaining the outward appearance of elections but missing the spirit of the people’s final say.

America’s presidential election and the behavior of its winner, Donald Trump, has astonished people with its withering of democratic ideals and worried them about the future of democracy. Once the paradigm of a democratic nation, America now is ruled by the rich, and power is far from the people. Ordinary citizens have no opportunity to enjoy the ownership, governance and benefits that they should have from hose who rule a country. The fight for power and profit between the two parties has created severely divided society. The people, who should be engaged enough to lead the nation’s politics instead are reduced to objects of cognitive warfare for parties and politicians. They have been fooled, brainwashed and manipulated.

Money politics in the U.S. is now already unscrupulously conducted openly. Because there is no limit on donations to super PACs, the wealthy are not restrained by taboo from getting involved and interfering in politics, and those representing a cause and seeking advantage no longer have to cover their intentions with a fig leaf.


Accordingly, the wealthy contributed huge sums of money. Even after Trump was elected, large corporations donated millions to his inauguration to ingratiate themselves and curry favor. Google, Microsoft, Apple, OpenAI, Meta, Uber, Ford, General Motors, Boeing and Japanese automaker Toyota all obediently contributed.

U.S. elections have always been a game for the rich. Presidential and congressional elections require huge amounts of money. The candidate with the most financial support is able to buy more advertising and expert help, increasing their chances. Corporations and the wealthy become “financial backers” by their enormous financial support and get generous payback after their candidate wins.

In this election, Elon Musk donated $259 million (approximately $8.48 billion NTD) to Trump’s campaign — the largest campaign contribution in U.S. history. Musk’s net worth in 2024 increased by more than $200 billion after Trump was elected. Trump has repaid his wealthy donors: Musk was named to lead an advisory "department" to increase efficiency, and Trump is set on having him buyTikTok.

Trump has already appointed or nominated 17 billionaires to high-level and Cabinet positions, and his policies favor the rich. He has signaled he will impose steep tariffs on imported goods in the future.

In his farewell address, former President Joe Biden spoke truthfully, worried about “a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a few ultra-wealthy people” and that “an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.” While these words ring true since Trump took power, Biden and Democratic leaders are to blame.

The ideals of a democracy of the people, by the people and for the people have been trampled. The wealthy and political parties possess and monopolize all the power. They own and govern the country, and they enjoy all the benefits. The rich and powerful will always meddle in politics in search of profit, and political parties more often place their own interests above those of the country. To win, politicians and parties work around the clock to sway and please voters. They indiscriminately write blank checks and cause the national debt to continue to rise.

America’s two parties attack each other in a vicious cycle, weakening government efficiency, worsening the deficit and dividing and polarizing society. Moreover, the parties and politician brainwash the citizens who in turn lose their independence and autonomous rational judgmen, becoming objects to be mobilized.

Although the wealthy do not manipulate democratic politic i Taiwan as they do in America, there are many instances in which political parties and their officials, including members of the Legislative Yuan and county and city heads, work for financial groups and the rich. When parties disregard the good of the people or viciously fight for their own selfish interests, or endlessly concoct lies to deceive the people, how can we safeguard the ideal of “of the people, by the people and for the people”?

Recently, the legislative authority has initiated a storm of budget cuts, vetoes and recalls, which reveals the party’s thirst for blood. They have not put the people’s interests first, which is far from the ideals and philosophy of democracy.