Well, alternatives is certainly a good discussion to have. It's also a difficult one to have because of all the confusion. That is why I started this thread. As a precursor of sorts to a discussion of the alternatives.

We need to be clear as to what we have right now before entering into discussion about where we are going.

Corporations control the US govt.
Corporations are undemocratic.
The US govt is undemocratic.
US society is undemocratic.

We could all join hands around the world and create a fair existence. While I'd like that, it's not what's happening. Something else that is not happening is the middle class exercising power in a progressive manner.

Corporate autocrats run US society. This is obvious. Let's stop kidding ourselves about the middle class and actually have a serious discussion based on the starting point reality that the US is not a very democratic society.

If one admits that Reagan was an empty-headed B-movie actor and that Bush Sr ran the country from 80-88 one begins to understand a lot more.

Bush Family Rule of the US: 1981-1992
Clinton Family Rule of the US: 1993-2000
Bush Family Rule of the US: 2001-2008
Probable Clinton Family Rule of the US: 2009-2016

This is a snapshot of the society we call a democracy. Where a handful of people rule a population of 300 million for decades. It's a sick joke.