They are wimpy but they are also the wealthiest. But there are plenty of very wealthy left leaning folks-Marc Cuban, Oprah, Jane Fonda, actors, artists, musicians, other techies. Along with newly fired high ranking military officers, JAGs, attorneys, young Dem activists. Why isn’t someone with clout organizing them to counter these oligarchs?
Mark Cuban is posting and speaking out constantly and Jane just used her SAG-AFTRA Lifetime Achievement Award to deliver a lengthy call to action (and at 87 still goes to protests regularly). Oprah has never really put herself out there politically except during presidential election years.
You cite, correctly, the problem with the "wimpish Democrats". They may not be billionaires, but many of them are millionaires. While not as wealthy as a Bezos or Musk, they are members of the same class (with some notable exceptions like Jasmine Crockett and AOC). The Democratic leadership has one foot in, and one foot out of a commitment to reign in the oligarchs. That's because they have more to lose if they push them too far. For the rest of us, we have more to lose---if we don't!
I think you may be giving the power elite too much credit by calling them Wimpy. That assumes that their foundational values prefer not to have oligarchic authoritarianism. They are oligarchs why wouldn't they want more authority? They believe they are smarter and know better than the rest of us. I think this is more a matter of opportunity than capitulation to them.
We need to call these people out, but then we need to move forward. Eyes on the prize. We are the answer, we will rescue this country from the bigoted gutless patriarchy. Ordinary Americans from all walks, we will be the heroes. Anand, thank you for being a part of this groundswell. Keep speaking. Let's go!
We are able to purchase goods through direct vendors. We do not need to go through Amazon. Let us limit our purchases from Amazon. We have power over our purchases.
I said this on another thread below, but this take is wrong. Bezos, Theil, Musk, Soon-Shiong are taking over the media (social and traditional) for a reason. They are not Trump toadies. They are driving the train.
YES,👏 you’ve got it. More people in independent media need to spread the word about Curtis Yarvin & all of his acolytes; Peter Thiel, JD Vance, Marc Andreeson, Elmo Musk, etc. They want to destroy democracy & America as a country
I agree. This is just the incentive they needed to reveal who they really are - look at Zuckerberg, Bezos, Musk, Thiel - it's always been there in their choices and decisions they are just openly embracing it now.
When you want real strength, please go to the grandmothers, especially Black and POC. These materially wealthy and affluent individuals unfortunately don't understand the true power we all possess and use brute force and blunt instruments for everything. They create chaos. Thank you for trying to create something worthwhile, for the ages.
I’m a third generation military veteran, and I’ve played all the parts in the sad theater of masculine insecurities. Trump’s willingness to be cruel is in fact the most desperate hedge against being revealed for the weak-hearted pretender he has always been. And as you say, the sickening irony comes when a man like Bezos forfeits all his “manly” gains in the presumption that something historical is occurring and he must choose the right side. Cowards bend the knee.
LA Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong also obeyed in advance. Same story - bought it to revive and support it then eventually ensh1tified it by blocking the endorsement of Kamala and censoring the opinions & editorials depts leading to a slew of walkouts. Links to them are banned in the LA subreddit as unreliable. He speed posted on X emphatically in support of RFKjr leading up to the confirmation. (He is a drug developer) It’s sad because the general CA public needs a big source of news.
But we the people are reinvigorating independent media!
Oh yes!! The leader WILL show, the masses of us are rising, good voices speaking!! And the critical “100th Monkey” effect is coming”. The revolution doesn’t come from top- it always comes from the people! 🥰🎶👏💘your voice and intelligence matter!
American billionaires were created by consumers and can be destroyed by consumers.
They are wimpy but they are also the wealthiest. But there are plenty of very wealthy left leaning folks-Marc Cuban, Oprah, Jane Fonda, actors, artists, musicians, other techies. Along with newly fired high ranking military officers, JAGs, attorneys, young Dem activists. Why isn’t someone with clout organizing them to counter these oligarchs?
Yes I can't figure out why only Bernie and a few others are out there. Where ARE all those like Oprah, Marc C and Jane you mentioned????
Mark Cuban is posting and speaking out constantly and Jane just used her SAG-AFTRA Lifetime Achievement Award to deliver a lengthy call to action (and at 87 still goes to protests regularly). Oprah has never really put herself out there politically except during presidential election years.
Fonda's SAG call to action is worth listening to. She is fearless and fierce.
& she's walked the talk for decades. It's not just performative celebrity action.
She knocked doors in Michigan for Kamala.
We are the resistance. We are the ones who need to speak out, boycott the oligarchs and support each other in whatever way we can.
Yes Jane has always walked her talk. I love her and her activism and I did hear her speech. Marc is speaking up.
My point was a lack of group mobilizing to take on the Kleptocrats instead of individual actions/ greater power in groups.
Thank you Fran!!!! Good to know
One billionaire will not betray another billionaire unless it's for a slice of the pie.
Everyone needs to watch Jane's SAGAFTRA speech... to the end... when she says what it will take for us to get out of this crisis. She's very wise!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_v0NJ8_8ps
Where are the Obamas and Clintons?
They did their jobs; this is on us.
Sold out to all of these same oligarchs. Do not get confused by a Democratic vs Republican issue - they are all sold to the same guys.
You cite, correctly, the problem with the "wimpish Democrats". They may not be billionaires, but many of them are millionaires. While not as wealthy as a Bezos or Musk, they are members of the same class (with some notable exceptions like Jasmine Crockett and AOC). The Democratic leadership has one foot in, and one foot out of a commitment to reign in the oligarchs. That's because they have more to lose if they push them too far. For the rest of us, we have more to lose---if we don't!
I think you may be giving the power elite too much credit by calling them Wimpy. That assumes that their foundational values prefer not to have oligarchic authoritarianism. They are oligarchs why wouldn't they want more authority? They believe they are smarter and know better than the rest of us. I think this is more a matter of opportunity than capitulation to them.
We need to call these people out, but then we need to move forward. Eyes on the prize. We are the answer, we will rescue this country from the bigoted gutless patriarchy. Ordinary Americans from all walks, we will be the heroes. Anand, thank you for being a part of this groundswell. Keep speaking. Let's go!
We are able to purchase goods through direct vendors. We do not need to go through Amazon. Let us limit our purchases from Amazon. We have power over our purchases.
Post cancelled long ago. However, Amazon is harder. But limiting purchases from Amazon started immediately after Anand's rant.
I said this on another thread below, but this take is wrong. Bezos, Theil, Musk, Soon-Shiong are taking over the media (social and traditional) for a reason. They are not Trump toadies. They are driving the train.
They are pursuing a libertarian tech-bro fever dream of ending democracy in favor of a monarchist/CEO style government of and for them. Many of them believe in Curtis Yarvin's vision and are making it happen. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/18/magazine/curtis-yarvin-interview.html
This helps me to understand how essentially unreasonable all this is. Thanks for the link.
YES,👏 you’ve got it. More people in independent media need to spread the word about Curtis Yarvin & all of his acolytes; Peter Thiel, JD Vance, Marc Andreeson, Elmo Musk, etc. They want to destroy democracy & America as a country
I wonder if it's a weakness and also has more to do with narcissistic self-interest and a need to protect their power and comfort at all costs.
It’s not even wimpiness, it’s who he is and who they are. Txxxx made it OK to be a shameless capitalist/oligarch.
I agree. This is just the incentive they needed to reveal who they really are - look at Zuckerberg, Bezos, Musk, Thiel - it's always been there in their choices and decisions they are just openly embracing it now.
When you want real strength, please go to the grandmothers, especially Black and POC. These materially wealthy and affluent individuals unfortunately don't understand the true power we all possess and use brute force and blunt instruments for everything. They create chaos. Thank you for trying to create something worthwhile, for the ages.
When you say wimpy do you mean greedy? Venal? Selfish?
Post cancelled. I will dearly miss Philip Bump. Apologies to my cousin, a long time employee. Thx for the Commentary
Thanks Anand. You get on and rant whenever you need to. We are here for you too.
I’m a third generation military veteran, and I’ve played all the parts in the sad theater of masculine insecurities. Trump’s willingness to be cruel is in fact the most desperate hedge against being revealed for the weak-hearted pretender he has always been. And as you say, the sickening irony comes when a man like Bezos forfeits all his “manly” gains in the presumption that something historical is occurring and he must choose the right side. Cowards bend the knee.
Perhaps you might want to join this protest that’s begging for Veterans to come & wear your uniform if you still can. Weekend of Mar 14-16 in DC.
Sons of Liberty is helping him.
https://youtu.be/DfQIyoRTn_s?si=TYePPuH-6loCt_UW
LA Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong also obeyed in advance. Same story - bought it to revive and support it then eventually ensh1tified it by blocking the endorsement of Kamala and censoring the opinions & editorials depts leading to a slew of walkouts. Links to them are banned in the LA subreddit as unreliable. He speed posted on X emphatically in support of RFKjr leading up to the confirmation. (He is a drug developer) It’s sad because the general CA public needs a big source of news.
But we the people are reinvigorating independent media!
Are the"elites" cringingly capitulating or simply finding their own level?
Oh yes!! The leader WILL show, the masses of us are rising, good voices speaking!! And the critical “100th Monkey” effect is coming”. The revolution doesn’t come from top- it always comes from the people! 🥰🎶👏💘your voice and intelligence matter!