In America, those who are privileged and already in power often have an advantage. This was ingrained in the very origins of the revolution; when rich smugglers and lawyers composed cartoons to encourage independence, when the electoral college was formed so that the masses might never have the absolute right to govern, and when poll taxes, race restrictions, and other obscure laws were put into place to limit voting. From the beginning the [political climate of America has resisted change. Supreme Court Justices remain in their position for life, allowing the polices of dying generations to keep power far after their views have lost the popular view. This system is inhospitable to those yearning for change. It allows slander and advertisement to destroy completely the reputation of those who are attacking the established power. It allows gerrymandering, which keeps the power securely in the hands of whoever drew the district lines. And now; the growing power of lobbying is making it even more difficult for the underdog to bring about a change in politics.