🇺🇸 Discussion: The Second Gilded Age

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2015:

Jimmy Carter: America Is Now an 'Oligarchy'

Former president Jimmy Carter said the "Citizens United" ruling "violates the essence of what made America a great country in its political system."

www.rollingstone.com

He's absolutely correct.

 

[blueharvest]

He's absolutely correct.

If America wasn't an oligarchy before, it definitely will be by this time next year.

 

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As Billionaire Wealth Soared in 2024, 35 Children Were Born Into Hunger Every Minute | Common Dreams

More than 18 million kids were born into hunger this year, according to a new analysis, as the collective net worth of the world's richest grew to a record $14 trillion.

www.commondreams.org

 

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Sanders Lays Out Plan to Fight Oligarchy as Wealth of Top Billionaires Passes $10 Trillion | Common Dreams

"If there was ever a moment when progressives needed to communicate our vision to the people of our country, this is that time," wrote Sen. Bernie Sanders. "Despair is not an option."

www.commondreams.org

 

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Let's Make Trump the Last Gasp of America's Second Gilded Age | Common Dreams

The challenge is the same as it was at the start of the 20th century: To fight for an economy and a democracy that works for all rather than the few.

www.commondreams.org

 

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Bluesky

bsky.app

 

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View attachment 117855

Bluesky

bsky.app

That quote has been in my head an awful lot lately.

 

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The Richest Have Never Been Richer as Trump Arrives to Make Them Richer Still | Common Dreams

Overall, the world’s 500 richest ended 2024 worth a combined $9.8 trillion. Some 34 percent of the $1.5 trillion they gained over the course of the year came in the five weeks after Donald Trump’s election.

www.commondreams.org

 

[squeekness]

The Richest Have Never Been Richer as Trump Arrives to Make Them Richer Still | Common Dreams

Overall, the world’s 500 richest ended 2024 worth a combined $9.8 trillion. Some 34 percent of the $1.5 trillion they gained over the course of the year came in the five weeks after Donald Trump’s election.

www.commondreams.org

And the Republican poor still think Trump will fix it. Yeah, right.

 

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[MagnarTheGreat]

Mark Zuckerberg sported a $900,000 piece of wrist candy as he announced the end of fact-checking on Meta

Zuckerberg was seen wearing a Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1 on his left wrist while making the announcement.

www.businessinsider.com

Peter Thiel-Backed Startup That Wanted to Buy Greenland Is Thrilled That Trump Wants to Buy Greenland

A techno-colonialist project sees Greenland as the perfect opportunity to trial its utopian ambitions.

gizmodo.com

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

We're witnessing a new Mark Zuckerberg: Welcome to Zuck 3.0.

The Meta CEO is remaking himself — and his company — as Trump sets a new tone for the country.

www.businessinsider.com

 

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I don't see a reset happening any time soon.

 

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The Consolidation of Oligarchy

The billionaires are marching through the institutions. We must build alternative sources of power that can resist them.

www.currentaffairs.org

 

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Wealth of US ‘oil-garchs’ went up 15% in nine months as industry figures plan Trump inauguration party

Oil and gas firms have given more than $75m to Trump’s campaign and stand to benefit from his ‘drill, baby drill’ plan

www.theguardian.com

 

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Wealth of US ‘oil-garchs’ went up 15% in nine months as industry figures plan Trump inauguration party

Oil and gas firms have given more than $75m to Trump’s campaign and stand to benefit from his ‘drill, baby drill’ plan

www.theguardian.com

Getting what they paid him for.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

Biden warns against oligarchy of ultra-wealthy in farewell address to nation

President Joe Biden used his farewell address to the nation Wednesday to warn of an “oligarchy” of the ultra-wealthy taking root in the country and of a “tech-industrial complex” that is infringing on Americans' rights and the future of democracy....

www.dailykos.com

As Biden warns of an 'oligarchy,' Trump will be flanked by tech billionaires at his inauguration

The super-rich have long played a role in U.S. politics but have an unusually prominent spot in incoming President Donald Trump's new administration.

apnews.com

Here’s the moment Mark Zuckerberg gave away the game

Like the rest of the tech billionaire class, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has decided to give up any pretense of ethics in order to cozy up to President-elect Donald Trump. Zuckerberg killed Meta’s ...

www.dailykos.com

 

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Oligarchs are capitulating, but Americans are deeply divided on Trump

He may well overplay his hand in the White House

inews.co.uk

 

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The stagecraft that ushered in the Trump oligarchy

The VIPs behind the president were worth more than $1.3 trillion. The message they sent couldn't have been clearer.

www.motherjones.com

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

 

[blueharvest]

 

[blueharvest]

Influence of super rich on Donald Trump threatens democracy, say Patriotic Millionaires

Pro-tax group tell world leaders that ‘wealth extremism’ is damaging trust in media and influencing legal systems

www.theguardian.com