Who REALLY Controls Your Life?
Deep Dive into Hidden Power Structures
Beyond the Surface
Behind elected officials and public institutions, there are layers of influence that shape your opportunities and choices.
⚠️ This Tool is Different
Knowledge is the first step toward building a more equitable system.
💰 Money in Politics
Campaign Donations
The wealthiest 0.01% provide 40% of campaign money. Politicians spend 30-70% of time fundraising.
Lobbying
20 lobbyists for every Congress member. Companies spend $3.5B+ annually influencing policy.
Take Action
- ✓ Support candidates who refuse corporate PAC money
- ✓ Track representatives' donors at OpenSecrets.org
- ✓ Advocate for publicly financed elections
📺 Media Control
Media Consolidation
6 companies own 90% of US media. Fewer perspectives reach the public.
Take Action
- ✓ Diversify your news sources
- ✓ Support independent journalism
- ✓ Learn media literacy skills
🤖 Technology & Data
Platform Monopolies
Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple control vast internet infrastructure and your data.
Take Action
- ✓ Use privacy-focused tools (DuckDuckGo, Signal)
- ✓ Support tech regulation
- ✓ Limit app permissions
🏦 Economic Systems
Wealth Gap
Top 1% own 32% of wealth. Bottom 50% own just 2%.
Take Action
- ✓ Support unions and cooperatives
- ✓ Advocate for progressive taxation
- ✓ Push for living wage laws
🎓 Education Access
Funding Inequality
Property tax funding creates 3x spending gap between rich and poor districts.
Take Action
- ✓ Advocate for equitable school funding
- ✓ Support free community college
- ✓ Volunteer as a tutor
⚖️ Criminal Justice
Mass Incarceration
2.3M incarcerated. Black incarceration rate is 5x higher than white.
Take Action
- ✓ Support criminal justice reform
- ✓ End cash bail advocacy
- ✓ Support re-entry programs