Summary

In his farewell speech, President Joe Biden warned of a growing “oligarchy” in the U.S., where extreme wealth and power threaten democracy.

Comparing modern elites to 19th-century robber barons, he called for reforms to hold the wealthy accountable, as done in the past.

Biden also criticized a “tech-industrial complex” concentrating power and spreading disinformation, weakening democracy.

His remarks sparked a surge in Google searches for “oligarchy.”

The speech comes amid rising concerns about policies favoring billionaires, like Trump’s tax cuts and potential cuts to social safety programs.

  • Matombo@feddit.org
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    7 hours ago

    If only he and his party was in power for some years and could have done something about it…

    • capital_sniff@lemmy.world
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      2 hours ago

      I like blaming Biden and all but let’s be real we are in this mess because a bunch of the people that occupy the underclass with us are actively fighting against us and for the rich ass rulers.

      • WarlordSdocy@lemmy.world
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        2 hours ago

        And the reason to blame for that is that Democrats have shown they don’t really care about working class people. So these people end up falling for the propaganda of the right since there’s no real counter to it, especially with the Democrats capitulating on issues like immigration during this election. We need an actual progressive or labor party to bring these people away from the right. But the Democrats continue to refuse to become that party and without better voting systems a third party will only really work on the local level.

        • dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works
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          36 minutes ago

          Given the choice between kids in cages, outrageous nepotism and kakistocracy, insurrection, blatant authoritarianism, and LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE, nobody should need to convince you to choose “anything else”. It should be self evident.

          Democrats may suck, but “I voted for pre-hitler because you didn’t sell something I wanted to buy” looks way worse on the voters who just can’t see the value or the difference. You are right we should have better options, but I reject the idea out of hand that the rise of trumpism rests solely on democrats not being exciting. Likewise I wouldn’t say they are the ones voting against their own interests.

        • Waraugh@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          32 minutes ago

          If progressives were as united as the bigots the ratchet could turn the other way but it won’t because their are so many voters that are too busy cutting off their nose to spite their face while hiding behind false bravado that doesn’t accomplish anything.

    • MJKee9@lemmy.world
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      7 hours ago

      The DNC is complicit and has been for years… But betraying Bernie was the inciting incident for the US’s most recent foray into authoritarianism.