"...Today, one man--Elon Musk--now owns more wealth than the bottom 52 percent of American households. The top 1 percent own more than the bottom 93 percent. And the CEOs of large corporations make 350 times more than their average employee."
In other words, because people have enough money to spend obscenely huge amounts on what strikes their fancy--for example $3.88 million on a Star Wars poster--millions struggle to acquire or die for the lack of the absolute basics--food, shelter, medical care... And, according to Bernie Sanders, the evils of oligarchy go much deeper than the wealth gap. In Fight Oligarchy, a volume the size of my hand and the thickness of my fingernail, he explains the very bad direction in which America is going including:
*what oligarchy is and the evils it spawns;
*Trump's rise to power;
* and oligarchies around the globe.
One paragraph in that chapter really was an eye opener for me.
"All over the world, hundreds of millions of desperate people are unable to access food, clean drinking water, adequate health care, decent housing, or education. Children by the millions die of easily preventable diseases. Meanwhile, the world's top 1 percent have become $33.9 trillion richer since 2015. That, by the way, is enough to eliminate world poverty twenty-two times over."
But Bernie wants us to rise up, not give up.
"The most powerful tool the ruling class has to protect their interests is to make ordinary people feel powerless. Their message: You are alone and there is nothing you, or anyone else, can do to stop us. We have the wealth. We have the power. We will prevail. Just shut up and get out of the way."
Bernie reminds readers of times in America's history when injustices were overthrown and gives us a blueprint for what we must do to turn things around. If you're anything like me--extremely anxious about the direction this nation and the world are going in--be sure to put Fight Oligarchy on your reading list.
On a purrrsonal note, Bernie would really approve of Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund which I'm deeply engaged in. It's this wonderful manifestation of community, interdependence, and solidarity that is a needed antidote to the ruthless sink or swim individualism that prevails in America. We raise money for students, faculty, and staff encountering financial crises, build solidarity on and off campus, and do volunteering like our weekly cook and clean at a homeless shelter. Tonight we're part of the community potluck at the Keith Anderson Community Center in downtown Orono (where almost 37 years ago Eugene and I had our wedding reception and where for years I participated in plays and open mics). I'm so looking forward to this. The food will be delish. And because of the friendships I've made during decades of volunteering there will be people taking my dietary restrictions into account. And the lines between town and gown will be erased as people freely mix and mingle. It will be a night to remember.
A great big shout out goes out to my BBMAF crew and everyone who will participate tonight.
Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
