"Through a series of anticompetitive tactics, the 2 political parties have created a hidden monopoly structure that accounts for a Congress with a 77 percent disapproval rating yet a nearly 90 percent re-election rate\. Thy grasp that political world is made up mainly of partisan-drawn districts, where 90 percent of the seats in Congress are not competitive; controlling the primary process protects incumbents. If you make a living serving candidates you do as they say because you can’t afford to be blackballed. During the 2018 midterms the parties spent nearly $2.5 billion . They even use legislation to ensure their advantage. In 2014 Congress voted to cap individual contributions to a federal PAC at $5,000, but thengave the PACs run by the two political parties — and only those PACs — a $106,500 limit, money they could divvy up however they choose."
At www.nytimes.com
