The Biden/Harris campaign raised and spent more cash than the Trump campaign, so to focus on Trump (and his wealthy supporters) as the symbol of the American Oligarchy misses an essential point -- he came in second in the race for cash, but won the election anyway.
But the cash gap between Democrats and Republicans is not as large as the cash gap between [the two largest parties combined] and [all the other parties combined]. Together, Biden/Harris and Trump raised over three billion dollars. All the other parties combined raised a bit over 100 million dollars, and almost all of that was RFK Jr, who dropped out and endorsed Trump anyway.
The real oligarchy in the US is the two-party system and the billions it raises to finance the seesaw between the two parties, a seesaw that has become more finely balanced during the 21st Century.
The country was set up as an oligarchy from the beginning. Only white male landowners (and slave owners) really had full enfranchisement. You’re out of touch with basic historical facts if you don’t see this! The Revolution was instigated by colonial oligarchs who didn’t like not being able to run the show. Most people then were ok with the crown and loyal, but the colonial oligarchs flipped this. Just look at the obvious differences in governments, elections, parties, etc with any west European country where a modicum of social democracy was realized after ww2 and then eroded by neoliberalism. Consider why the populist and nationalist right is on the rise there too
The “oligarchs” of the 21st century = Robber Barons of 19th century. America has a historical and current love-hate relationship with the moneyed class.
We have been in an oligarchy since Bill Clinton. Biden’s admin tried to hide it and Trump flaunts it. You are right, we can't get money out of politics unless we are willing to have another revolution. I don't think Americans have the stomach for that.
The Biden/Harris campaign raised and spent more cash than the Trump campaign, so to focus on Trump (and his wealthy supporters) as the symbol of the American Oligarchy misses an essential point -- he came in second in the race for cash, but won the election anyway.
But the cash gap between Democrats and Republicans is not as large as the cash gap between [the two largest parties combined] and [all the other parties combined]. Together, Biden/Harris and Trump raised over three billion dollars. All the other parties combined raised a bit over 100 million dollars, and almost all of that was RFK Jr, who dropped out and endorsed Trump anyway.
The real oligarchy in the US is the two-party system and the billions it raises to finance the seesaw between the two parties, a seesaw that has become more finely balanced during the 21st Century.
The country was set up as an oligarchy from the beginning. Only white male landowners (and slave owners) really had full enfranchisement. You’re out of touch with basic historical facts if you don’t see this! The Revolution was instigated by colonial oligarchs who didn’t like not being able to run the show. Most people then were ok with the crown and loyal, but the colonial oligarchs flipped this. Just look at the obvious differences in governments, elections, parties, etc with any west European country where a modicum of social democracy was realized after ww2 and then eroded by neoliberalism. Consider why the populist and nationalist right is on the rise there too
The “oligarchs” of the 21st century = Robber Barons of 19th century. America has a historical and current love-hate relationship with the moneyed class.
We have been in an oligarchy since Bill Clinton. Biden’s admin tried to hide it and Trump flaunts it. You are right, we can't get money out of politics unless we are willing to have another revolution. I don't think Americans have the stomach for that.