So, as much as it pains me to admit this, Crypt Keeper is right about the AOC/Bernie Oligarchy Tour messaging. I do think they should dump Oligarchy asap. As a proud affiliate of the unwashed, descriptors such as Fat Cats, The Man, Big Shots, Crooked Assholes, Boss Man, Slave Drivers, Bag Men, etc. all “hit” different. Same goes for campaign finance reform. Its not fucking campaign finance!!! It is, quite plainly, BRIBERY of our entire body politic. Lets take back the English language and start calling things what they, so clearly, are.
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It has too academic a ring; but I can live with it.
My main beef is not the use of the term “Oligarchy”; most people are well aware of that problem (if not that exact term!)
I want the “Let’s-get-worker-aligned-Independent-Representatives-balloted-for-the-2026-midterms-so-we-can-start-to-actually-change-laws Tour”! Not the “Der-Hey-We-already-know-that-capital-concentration-is-a-HUGE-problem Tour”.
And why is Sanders not promoting Mamdani in the NY Mayor’s race with a tour appearance there? The primary is in a couple of weeks! Does he really want Andrew Cuomo to be in play?
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Tbh i refuse to google the definition of “oligarchy” and just assume it means rich people taking over. (Which in your case happened like 15-20 years ago at the least)
If a politician want to use phrases that a basic bitch like me has to go out of my way to understand, they arnt trying to meet me in the middle. Just being over opinionated but it seems the left has lost the argument good ol Bernie keeps pushing and he is too stubborn to admit it.
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I think it’s a start. Biden mentioned the word “Oligarchy” in his speech so they’re naturally running as far as they can with that baton to preach the gospel where they can. I think it’s also a sign that Bernie is passing his baton to AOC as the next leader of the movement.
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I like it even though I’m still not used to it, but that may be a good thing. How many regular words have been made “ugly” by the American government and media? Terms like “socialism” and “feminism” are familiar, but their meaning is deliberately distorted. So, as a society, we know and don’t know the words. “Oligarchy” gives a moment of pause, and maybe some people will choose to look it up over getting a sense of the word. And the first sentence of the definition or description says it all (on my search engine anyway): 1. Government by a few, especially by a small faction of persons or families.
The reason that matters to me is because of how common it is to silence progressive voices. If only that one words gets out, it says a lot. Like those “describe yourself in one word” challenges, you know? That said, I like the idea of supportive catchier words. I liked the “fat cat,” option but the definition seems to focus on the donors. That’s great, but the politicians should have zero wiggle room. They were not manipulated into playing this game. They created and chose it —again and again.
In times of steroidal misinformation, increasing confusion and ambiguity, and growing insecurity, clarity is more precious to me than ever. So, I don’t mind “oligarchy,” but more resonance is welcome.
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When creating patient-facing material (I can’t stand that term), the general rule is to write in a way that a vast majority of people will easily understand because it could mean life or death. The same should be true for politics because the stakes are just as high. I agree with @russrcaldwell2 @patrie and @burtsplurt that this comes off as elitist and as refusing to meet the people you supposedly want to meet where they are. I wonder if some working-class people actually see the tour as a big fuck you; this is just more of the same shit we see on both sides. I swear, they’re just using the same old strategists and will get the same old results. Not everyone graduated high school or could get schooling beyond, and I would wager that almost no one in the working class went to an elite university. I see this tour as doing little to garner support that will make a difference, as it comes off as nothing more than showboating to give the appearance of compassion and change. Are they at least promoting legitimate policies and practical, strategic actions? In a way that people need and will actually understand?
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Agreed…For me it’s not really about whether or not folks know what the word means. We live in a very fast paced, hectic world. Messaging needs to hit a certain way or it’s lost in the ether. The DNC abandoned the working class and if we’re gonna win them back, it won’t happen because we make the most accurate and well thought out argument. Either the message vibes right or its lost.
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I think that both AOC and Bernie have done a great job in letting the “normal” citizens know what this tour is all about and getting people to join them. They have been on MSM talking about it and saying exactly what they are fighting against. And they do not try to over explain things like they are some elitist people. I think that you guys are actually OVER thinking this, worried it will fail, and looking for an excuse IF id does. I prefer to have faith in the people and that they know what is going on in this “Tour”.
Judging by the size of the crowds they are pulling in on this “tour”; I would say that it is “vibing” with the people
I was actually asking because the doctors don’t want me watching and listening to the News, and I’ve been working hard to follow my restrictions. What I said about wording is absolutely true, and I tend not to create pre-made excuses. I’m glad you have faith in these Democrats and their ability to get through to people; I sincerely hope it works.
Im mainly just trying to play devils advocate but really do hope it works out. If AOC for example replied to questions about a presidential run with “if they even happen” then id take it abit differently, i guess the rest of the fkwit politicians have made it hard to trust the good movements.
Ah, yes, yes, I see your point but have you considered that using the word “bribery” might alienate potential moderate suburban moms in swing districts who just want a return to civility and brunch?
Sure, “Oligarchy” sounds a little Dungeons & Dragons meets poly sci seminar, but it’s a respectable word. Precise. Clinical. Approved by NPR. And while “Fat Cats” might resonate with, like, some people, have we run that through a focus group of Harvard Kennedy School grads yet? Let’s not forget: if we go around calling everything “bribery” or “crooked assholes,” we risk sounding partisan, and heaven forbid we make anyone feel uncomfortable while they’re complicit in the collapse of representative democracy. Better to split the difference and call it “excessively robust donor influence”