Why Bernie Sanders worries America is becoming an oligarchy

[DigimonFan]

I've read a study that says USA already is an oligarchy. Acts and bills, rarely passes in the favour of the citizens. The statistics shows that most goes in favour towards the campaign backers, large companies etc. Usa is no longer a proper democracy. Do a quick research about this, and it is very clear that Usa is an oligarchy.

[KevZen]

America has been an oligarchy for a long time. It's just now that it's more open

[amenophisiv]

If america doesn't vote for this guy than there is truly no hope and you will be fucked.

[JustinCreswell]

He is the only candidate that actually speaks like a president.

[carson]

I'm sorry Sanders, but we are already living in an oligarchy

[Jonafridge]

If Bernie Sanders doesn't become president I might cry, he is so friggin perfect but there is this weird nationalistic view in America which he wants to remove by making the system more Scandinavian and people don't like that, which is stupid and annoying.

[scotty]

America IS already an Oligarchy and has been for at least a generation. Shame on all for letting this happen.

[rivguns]

I remember in highschool we were learning about ancient Greece and we got to when they were ruled by an oligarchy. I remember thinking "Wow, this sounds a lot like America". Sad Bernie couldn't have won

[CrniWuk]

When a billionaire dies who inherits his senators?
- Not my comment, but I like it.

[nikushim]

"is becoming an oligarchy"? A little late there by about 240 years.

[pavlovsdoggies]

Been an independent my whole life but plan to hold my nose, register as a Dem, and caucus for Bernie in Colorado.

[DFM]

Bernie Sanders is the President we Need. Thanks Vox  
#feelthebern   #bernie2016   #berniesanders2016

[gabrieldcf]

If I were American, I'd vote for Bernie in the primaries. Sadly, there's no way he's going to win because America, just like every Western so-called Democracy, is not "becoming" an olygarchy. It already is a plutocratic olygarchy.

[CodeEndeavor]

Bernie is just so well spoken in his ideas. It's motivating.

[lupen_rein]

The thing is, that billionaires are not really a politically unified group, they are only politically very similar in the way that they want to have low taxes for rich people and be able to remain influentual as rich people. Politically however, especially with regards to social policies independent from taxes and work, they are incredibly diverse, some billionaires support gay marriage, some don't, some support air strikes against ISIS, some don't.

[Sierra-ow]

THIS IN 2024. ELONS INVOLVEMENT IN THE ELECTION

[Victor-tldk]

I "brushed" this off at first, but then learned more about the Russian oligarchy. Russia would actually be a good democracy if it weren't for them.

In Russia, I understand, the top 500 most "wealthy" people own more than 99.8% of the people while in the US the top 400 own more than the bottom 64%. Now, the "bottom" usually owns a lot less, but it is too similar to Russia and it's getting "worse" every single year.

Bernie Sanders is pretty right about this.

I think Bernie's point of "oligarchy" gets lost on many Americans because of bad pre-college education overall.

I think most Americans think: Russia? Huh? What does the Russian "oligarchy" have to do with the US? Isn't their government just "corrupt?"

[Xagraniatko]

Oh wow, a US politician who doesn't hiss and growl at the socialist ideas :O! Could there be hope :D?!

[EdwardSWinfrey]

"Becoming" an Oligarchy? What planet have you been on Mr. Bernie? or are you trying to make us think that you are trying to save us from something that already is. and have been since 1913.

[NotJamesWhelan]

Becoming? The country has no national transit, no advanced welfare state and highways made out of concrete. 

I read a thing a few years ago about how in the post-Cold War context most economists don't actually consider America a first world country, rather an extremely advanced second world country. The most damning fact against America's oligarchical system is that America actually has lower pre-tax inequality than most European countries (because of vast natural resources, cheap land, etc.) it's only after America's horrible unfair systems come in that inequality explodes. So if you think America is somehow destined to always be this way you're wrong. It has more going for it than Europe, it just has a shitty political system.