Chris Hedges’ assertion that capitalists should be barred from healthcare systems highlights the inherent issue of commodifying essential services. This critique extends beyond healthcare to encompass numerous societal systems – from transportation and food to education and the environment – all negatively impacted by capitalist control. The article argues that addressing individual symptoms, like reforming healthcare, is insufficient; a systemic challenge to capitalism itself is necessary. Focusing solely on healthcare reform while ignoring the broader capitalist structure is akin to fighting a bully while allowing most of his attacks to continue.
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Despite a strong post-pandemic economy exceeding pre-Covid levels, the Biden administration faced electoral setbacks. This economic success, attributed to “Bidenomics,” involved novel policies resulting in positive economic indicators across the board. Central to Bidenomics was the principle of fair economic distribution, ensuring those contributing to the economy receive a proportional share. The administration’s economic approach, originating from a 2009 conversation between Jared Bernstein and then-Vice President Biden, yielded significant positive results worthy of future study and consideration.
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President-elect Trump’s incoming administration, boasting at least 14 billionaires, starkly contrasts with his populist rhetoric. This group’s collective net worth surpasses that of the Biden administration by a factor of roughly 2000, raising questions about their alignment with the “forgotten men and women” who supported him. Despite claims of targeting wasteful government spending, potential cuts to programs like the VA and Head Start are concerning. Furthermore, Trump’s inability to guarantee that tariffs won’t increase consumer prices further undermines his promises of economic relief for the middle class.
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The free press faces unprecedented challenges, with many news organizations succumbing to political influence. HuffPost, however, remains committed to independent journalism and refuses to compromise its principles. Continued operation relies on reader support, with contributions enabling the platform to remain accessible to all. Creating a free account is one way readers can help safeguard HuffPost’s unbiased reporting.
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Donald Trump’s 2024 administration will be comprised of at least 11 billionaires or those closely associated with billionaires, representing the wealthiest US administration in history with a collective net worth exceeding $340 billion. This includes prominent figures like Elon Musk, tasked with cutting public spending, and several nominees for key cabinet positions requiring Senate confirmation. The composition starkly contrasts with the significantly less wealthy Biden administration and raises concerns about potential tax cuts favoring the ultra-rich at the expense of vital public services. Analysts note the irony of Trump’s populist appeal juxtaposed with his reliance on a billionaire-heavy cabinet.
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Senator Bernie Sanders attributes President-elect Trump’s victory to a deeply entrenched oligarchy, characterized by extreme wealth inequality and corporate control over media and politics. He highlights the disproportionate influence of billionaire families in elections and the resulting power imbalance favoring the wealthy few over the working class. Sanders calls for a direct confrontation with this oligarchy, emphasizing the need to build a powerful working-class movement to create a more equitable economic and political system. This requires addressing critical issues such as campaign finance reform, expanding grassroots organizing, and recruiting candidates committed to working-class interests.
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America has a profound problem, a multifaceted crisis impacting its very fabric, and it’s far more significant than any single political party’s perceived shortcomings. Framing it solely as a “Democrat’s working-class problem” is a gross oversimplification that ignores the larger societal issues at play.
The pervasive influence of misinformation and propaganda plays a crucial role in this national predicament. A significant portion of the population struggles with media literacy, making them susceptible to manipulative narratives and divisive rhetoric. This lack of critical thinking skills, coupled with a low reading comprehension rate, prevents many from discerning truth from falsehood, leading to a widespread acceptance of demonstrably false claims.… Continue reading
Since the election, the wealth of the world’s billionaires, many of whom supported President-elect Trump, has reached record highs, exacerbating existing wealth inequality. This surge in billionaire wealth is fueled by policies favoring the ultra-rich, including massive tax cuts and deregulation, further widening the gap between the wealthiest and the rest of the population. This trend, spanning decades of bipartisan policy choices, has solidified an oligarchy’s control over the political and economic landscape. A critical juncture is approaching, demanding a shift towards policies that prioritize working-class interests and dismantle the power of corporate monopolies. Only a fundamental change in economic policy can counter this concentration of wealth and power.
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Contrary to the narrative of a “woke” backlash contributing to recent election results, Kamala Harris’s campaign notably avoided identity politics, focusing instead on economic issues. This suggests that the perceived rejection of “wokeness” may be a misinterpretation, deflecting from the broader failures of a centrist campaign and a lack of engagement with the structural issues affecting working-class voters. Instead of addressing systemic inequalities, the focus on performative allyship and superficial diversity initiatives proved ineffective and ultimately created a vacuum filled by a more compelling, albeit reactionary, right-wing messaging. The true issue, therefore, lies not in the specific policies associated with “wokeness” but in a lack of unified and impactful policy addressing the fundamental economic concerns of all citizens.
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I watched Orbán dismantle Hungary’s democracy, and the parallels with the Trump era are chillingly clear. The strategies employed—the subtle erosion of institutions, the weaponization of media narratives, the cultivation of a loyal base through grievance politics—serve as a stark warning for the United States.
The key takeaway from Orbán’s success is the absolute necessity of prioritizing the needs of the people. A democracy only survives if it demonstrably improves the lives of its citizens. Focusing solely on abstract ideals of democracy, without addressing the tangible economic and social anxieties of ordinary people, leaves the door wide open for authoritarian figures to exploit those vulnerabilities.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood