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.

  • sumguyonline@lemmy.world
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    16 hours ago

    Oligarchy, like when Nancy pelosi sets herself up as a defacto leader using insider trading… Or is it only oligarchy when the Republicans do it?

    • Alteon@lemmy.world
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      14 hours ago

      Oligarchy, like when Johann Rupert influences the South African markets and politics through his massive wealth and business empire… Or is it only oligarchy when Americans do it?

    • enbyecho@lemmy.world
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      13 hours ago

      when Nancy pelosi sets herself up as a defacto leader using insider trading

      Dude. You should put down the bong long enough to read up on what was covered in the high school civics class you slept through.

    • Viking_Hippie@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      14 hours ago

      You’re right, but focusing on Pelosi when Biden himself is an excellent example smacks of whataboutism.

      It isn’t a whataboutism (since she and Biden have very much been working together on behalf of the oligarchs), but it looks like one to the casual observer, which is probably why you’re being bombarded with unfair downvotes in a Liberal (as opposed to Left) leaning community.