It is difficult for a person to break through the barriers which have been erected. Yet, what Mills leaves out is that these top positions are changing and new people are occupying these positions, but the next person acquiring this position is not you or me, but rather another individual with money, power, and prestige. We all like to think that America is this wonderful land of opportunity. Anyone can be president of the United States. We all have the opportunity to become millionaires.
Money does buy access, but other ingredients are needed as well.
I also disagree with Mills on another point he makes. This comment is a contradiction. Mills next statement that people do not care anyway because they do not know how to run the show is equivalent. Rather than taking the time to inform the public, these few power elites have decided to withhold information because knowledge also buys access. If elites stick to this theory that they know what's best then they will always retain power.