Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has embarked on a national tour titled “Fighting the Oligarchy,” aiming to unite citizens against the perceived rising tide of oligarchic influence in the United States.
An oligarchy is defined as a form of government in which power resides in the hands of a small group of individuals or families. This group often holds power due to factors such as wealth, social status, or political influence. Generally, it makes decisions that benefit their own interests rather than those of the broader population.
Kicking off the tour in Omaha, Nebraska, Sanders addressed an overflow crowd of more than 3,400 supporters, emphasizing the urgency of collective action to preserve democracy and combat economic inequality.
Sanders began by mentioning Trump’s inauguration and pointed out that some of the richest individuals in the country, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg, were seated directly behind the president during the swearing-in ceremony. Sanders also highlighted the presence of Trump’s billionaire Cabinet nominees, who were positioned in the third row.
“It [Oligarchy] will only be defeated by millions of Americans in Iowa, in Vermont, in Nebraska, in every state in this country, who come together in a strong grassroots movement and say no to oligarchy, no to authoritarianism, no to kleptocracy, no to massive cuts to programs that low-income and working Americans desperately need, no to huge tax breaks for the wealthiest people in this country,” said Sanders, highlighting the importance of a collective support system to address supposed deep-rooted American injustices.
Sanders’ critique extended to the current presidential administration’s policies, particularly the proposed tax cuts favoring the affluent and the corresponding reductions in essential social programs.
“They [the Trump Administration] want massive tax breaks, and I’ll tell you how those tax breaks are going to be paid for. They’re going to be paid for by savage cuts to programs that working-class people desperately need,” he asserted. Highlighting the state of the nation’s healthcare system, Sanders noted, “At a time when our healthcare system is already broken, they want to make massive, massive cuts to Medicaid. Medicaid provides healthcare to many, many millions of children and working-class people.”
Sanders also addressed the influence of wealth in politics, criticizing both Republican and Democratic billionaires for their roles in undermining democratic institutions. “The role of billionaires in politics, it’s not just Musk, it’s others,” he said. “It’s not just Republican billionaires, it is Democratic billionaires. It is the corruption of the two-party system.”
The Senator shed light on what he described as a crisis of power rather than just plain old wealth. “It’s not just that the rich are getting richer while working families struggle; this is about power. Oligarchy isn’t merely a financial issue—it’s a political one.” “We are living in two Americas,” said Sanders. “What we do now will impact our lives. [Americans] need a grassroots movement that says no to oligarchy.”
Sanders argues that oligarchy is not merely a financial issue, but a political one that impacts every American. In his view, there are essentially two Americas: one that thrives on wealth and privilege, where a small elite has disproportionate power and influence in politics and policymaking, and another that struggles to make ends meet, facing systemic barriers and a lack of representation.
He emphasized that political campaigns need to be funded publicly, not by billionaire donors. “Democracy is not about billionaires buying the election; it’s about one person, one vote,” Sanders stated.
Sanders also called out Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon, urging Nebraskans to pressure their representatives to prioritize the needs of working families over corporate interests. He emphasized, “The message is clear: Get your congressperson to stand with working families and resist the influence of Republican leadership.”
As Sanders’ tour progresses, he continues to rally Americans to engage in the democratic process, advocating for policies that prioritize the needs of working families over the interests of the wealthy elite. His impassioned speeches serve as a clarion call for unity and action in the face of growing economic disparities as well as the hope to ‘Claw our way back to real democracy.’
