Who Actually Runs the US Government? – Bernie Sanders

Inequality and Oligarchy in America

Sanders illustrates the staggering growth of wealth concentration over the last half-century. Since 1973, despite remarkable technological advances and huge productivity gains, the average American worker's inflation-adjusted wages have stagnated or even declined. Concurrently, there has been a massive transference of wealth—from the bottom 90% of Americans upward to the top 1%, creating a gulf where multi-billionaires now control corporate America, media, and politics. Sanders mentions a statistic underscoring this disparity: Elon Musk owns more wealth than half the American population combined.

He critiques the American economy's failure to provide for the basic needs of its citizens, highlighting the sharply rising costs of healthcare, housing, and education. While consumer electronics and some goods have become cheaper due to market forces and technological advancements, fundamental necessities have skyrocketed in price, putting them out of reach for many working families. Sanders contrasts America's high spending on healthcare with worse comparative outcomes internationally, pointing to a dysfunctional system that leaves millions uninsured or underinsured. The housing crisis, with nearly 800,000 homeless and many spending over half their income on rent, further exacerbates the struggles of everyday Americans. Education, once free or low-cost, particularly at public universities, has become prohibitively expensive, pushing younger generations deeper into debt.

Political Consequences of Concentrated Wealth

The consolidation of power extends beyond economics and into the political realm, Sanders argues. A handful of investment firms like BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street collectively hold majority stakes in nearly all major U.S. corporations, exemplifying how a limited number of actors shape the entire economy. This corporate oligarchy translates into outsized influence over politicians, as the current campaign finance system incentivizes elected officials to court billionaires and corporate donors rather than represent the working class. Sanders vehemently criticizes the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision and the pervasive role of super PACs, which enable wealthy individuals to flood political campaigns with money, undermining the democratic principle of political equality.

To counter this, Sanders advocates for public funding of elections, aiming to level the playing field so challengers without wealthy backers have a fair shot. He points to the success of public funding models, such as the one used in New York City mayoral campaigns, as positive examples of reform.

Divisions Within the Left

The discussion turns to the fragmentation within the Democratic Party and the broader left. Sanders describes a split between the establishment wing, which has ceded much ground to corporate interests over decades, and more progressive or socialist factions pushing for major structural reforms. He laments how since the 1970s, Democrats have increasingly shifted away from championing the working class, supporting global trade agreements like NAFTA that decimated American manufacturing jobs. This shift has contributed to more working-class voters drifting toward Donald Trump's Republican Party, despite Trump's policies favoring the wealthy.

Sanders praises figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Eric Adams for energizing grassroots campaigns and reigniting debates over economic justice, even as establishment Democrats sometimes resist supporting them. He points out that these divisions often center on campaign funding and allegiance to powerful donors, rather than pure ideological differences alone.

The Role of Identity Politics

When asked about the emphasis on identity politics, Sanders acknowledges the critical importance of advancing women's rights, civil rights, and LGBTQ+ equality. However, he cautions that pursuing identity politics at the expense of addressing the economic hardships faced by the majority risks alienating working-class voters who feel their genuine struggles are ignored. He argues that it is possible—and necessary—to fight simultaneously for social justice and economic reforms that uplift all Americans, particularly those left behind by the current system. Sanders sees parts of the Democratic Party as out of touch in focusing narrowly on "culture war" issues while failing to present a compelling economic agenda.

Authoritarianism, and Trumpism

Sanders expresses grave concern about the rise of authoritarian tendencies, especially linked to Donald Trump and his hold over the Republican Party. He describes a "cult of the individual" where dissent within the GOP is suppressed by fear of political retaliation, funded by billionaire donors like Elon Musk. He compares this to Stalinist-like allegiances, where political survival depends on unwavering loyalty. This consolidation of political power jeopardizes democratic institutions and norms.

He highlights examples such as the Republican reaction to Senator Tom Tillis's opposition to healthcare legislation, where powerful figures quickly threatened to end political careers if they opposed Trump. Sanders warns that under such conditions, democracy erodes, paving the way for increased oligarchic control.

Foreign Policy and Military Spending

The discussion also touches on U.S. foreign policy, particularly Israel and Palestine. Sanders critiques bipartisan support for military aid to Israel, especially under both Biden and Trump administrations, linking this to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He rejects the idea of giving Trump or any political figure a Nobel Peace Prize given the human cost of ongoing armed conflict. Sanders calls for reassessing American foreign policy priorities to avoid funding or enabling regimes that perpetrate violence and human suffering.

Social Issues

Sanders reiterates his strong support for universal, publicly funded healthcare as a human right—drawing comparisons with other wealthy democracies like the UK and Canada where healthcare outcomes are better despite lower spending. He underscores the need for affordable childcare and education to foster strong families and communities.

On population trends, Sanders shares concern about declining U.S. birth rates, citing the burdens of high childcare costs and economic insecurity on young families. He sees family stability, including strong father figures, as a key social issue neglected by both parties, and calls for policies that support family formation and well-being.

Technological Change

Another significant theme Sanders addresses is the transformative impact of robotics, artificial intelligence, and technological automation on the workforce. While recognizing the innovation and vision of entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, Sanders questions the societal consequences if technological progress leaves millions unemployed or underemployed. He warns against allowing a tiny group of billionaires to unilaterally shape the future economy through AI and automation without democratic oversight or protections for workers.

He advocates for reducing the standard workweek to 32 hours to share productivity gains more equitably and emphasizes the need for comprehensive social supports including a living wage and universal education to prepare workers for the evolving labor market.

The Crisis of Male Representation

Sanders confronts the relative neglect of men's issues in progressive discourse, acknowledging research showing rising male suicide rates, lower college attendance, and social alienation among young men. He stresses the importance of fostering a positive, healthy masculinity alongside continuing efforts for gender equality. The conversation cautions against overlooking the complex social dynamics impacting men and boys and calls for more inclusive policies addressing their well-being.

Hope Amidst Challenges

Despite the daunting challenges laid out—from economic inequality, political corruption, societal divisions, to threats to democratic norms—Bernie Sanders maintains cautious optimism. He cites grassroots movements, large multi-racial protests, and growing awareness of economic issues as positive signs. Sanders repeats his faith in the decency of the American people and democracy's capacity for renewal if voters reject divisive identity politics and oligarchic control in favor of shared economic and social justice.

He concludes with a call to action to build a popular mass movement defending democratic values, supporting political reforms, and ensuring economic fairness so the United States remains "a nation where nobody is struggling to put food on the table" while billionaires accumulate astronomical wealth.