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.

  • solsangraal@lemmy.zip
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    17 days ago

    it’s been made abundantly clear that a lot of americans have no fucking idea what anyone is talking about

    • hansolo@lemm.ee
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      17 days ago

      I genuinely can’t believe that there is any overlap at all with the maybe 500 people who actually listened to his speech or even read an article summarizing it and those who don’t know what the meaning of “oligarchy” is.

      How does anyone get engaged enough in the political process to watch a speech from Biden and not recall Bernie Sanders saying this every day of his life for the last 30 years?

      • Carnelian@lemmy.world
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        17 days ago

        I follow these things closely on my own time, as I assume is common for nearly everyone on lemmy.

        But I saw coverage of Biden’s farewell address randomly at the gym. And also at a local restaurant. The media now is putting that word “oligarchy” in front of people’s eyes, as a summary of his speech. I would guess most people googling it are checking if “the oligarchy” is a country in the middle east or something

  • sumguyonline@lemmy.world
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    17 days 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?

    • enbyecho@lemmy.world
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      17 days 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.

    • catloaf@lemm.ee
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      16 days ago

      You really think that many Americans speak Greek? Most don’t even make high school level literacy in their native language.

      • Treetrimmer@sh.itjust.works
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        3 days ago

        Bro you couldve just heard the words… Monarchy and idk… Oligosaccharide and couldve put two and two together, but yes I agree it’s far beyond the capabilities of most Americans.