Senator Bernie Sanders is launching a campaign targeting America’s wealthiest individuals, like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, for their role in a global oligarchy. This oligarchy, Sanders argues, manipulates the economy, influences elections, avoids taxes, and controls the government, hindering democracy and exacerbating global inequalities. He plans a series of discussions exposing this influence and the incoming administration’s ties to the billionaire class. Sanders contends that this oligarchic system undermines crucial issues like climate change and healthcare, ultimately prioritizing the wealthy elite over the common good. He asserts that addressing this oligarchy is paramount to restoring democratic principles and improving societal well-being.
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Garry Kasparov warns that Elon Musk’s potential role in the Trump administration could establish him as America’s first oligarch, blurring the lines between business and government. This concern stems from Musk’s position as a major government contractor potentially overseeing substantial portions of the federal budget. Kasparov emphasizes that oligarchy isn’t solely defined by wealth but by the erosion of ethical boundaries between the private and public sectors. The situation’s resolution hinges on whether Musk’s endeavors operate within existing governmental ethical safeguards and whether conflicts of interest will be appropriately addressed.
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A second Trump term could usher in America’s first truly overt oligarchy, a stark warning issued by democracy activist Garry Kasparov carries significant weight. His experience witnessing the collapse of the USSR provides a unique perspective on the dangers of blurring lines between business and government.
Kasparov’s concern centers on the unchecked power that a second Trump administration could wield. The potential for presidential pardons to shield supporters, emboldening them to act with impunity, is a serious threat to accountability. This isn’t about a sudden shift; it’s an escalation of a pre-existing problem.
While the influence of wealthy individuals and corporations on American politics is undeniable and has a long history, the proposed scenario marks a qualitative shift.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood