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”.
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Judging by the size of the crowds they are pulling in on this “tour”; I would say that it is “vibing” with the people
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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.
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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.
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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”
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Of course they are doing just fine without my help 
Look, its just a small tweak that I think may help drive home the problem of legalized bribery. Yes, they are drawing huge crowds, but WHO is in the crowd? Preaching to the choir is awesome and does helps amplify the messaging. I am not saying they are failing and I sure as shit not looking to provide cover if they do. This isnt a wholesale critique of the effort, just a note. Beating MAGA in the next election, by a few points, will not do it. Drumph isnt even the problem and MAGA isnt going away, when he does. We need to win back the working class. I LOVE what they are doing and when they speak, yes its in the common vernacular. Again, I ask, who is in the crowd? Now, before you cite the Montana rally or any red state rally, please note there are still some Progressive Dems in those states and they ALL showed up at the rallies. I live in Montana and trust me, that was about all of us.
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So, ok, fair point about Harvard focus groups and suburban moms. However, Drumph (most flawed candidate in U.S. History) just won the popular vote. I think he did pretty well with white women in the suburbs. Id say he is pretty offensive. Maybe its time to piss people off a little bit? Being comfortable is how we got here and this aint working out. The truth is often ugly. As for partisanship, I dont quite understand the point. BOTH parties are, clearly, corrupt to the core. Yes, the Dems have a small percentage of reps that seem legit, but its like 5 percent, maybe? This is a two front war, first the Corporate Dems need to be overthrown, THEN, once we have the right leadership, we go after everyone!! I dont think replacing Oligarchy with Crooked Asshole will, inherently, connote partisanship. Not if its delivered with honesty and clarity. Which, we all know, both AOC and Uncle Bernie can do quite well.Think about the potent combination of BOTH speaking in the common vernacular AND competence. Trump, literally, speaks at a 5th grade level and that motherfucker won the big chair, TWICE!!! Why? People said “cuz hes like me”. The next winner wont win because they have the best political consultants and some worn out, overly cerebral playbook. They will win on instinct and authenticity. You combine that with competence and an honest agenda and I feel its a winner. NPR approved, for me, automatically indicates a need to rethink…
Bernie in an interview yesterday on Faux News said that they are not drawing in just Democrats and Independents to these rallies but also Republicans. And I live in KY so I know what you mean about Progressives being everywhere
I think it’s at about the 6:30/6:45 mark
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Hey, no question there’s some movement that way. I, certainly, don’t believe I know more about successful politics than Uncle B and AC. It’s just a suggestion. I would argue we need a seismic shift and way more than the handful of DJT voters who are, already, getting directly affected. Ironically enough, it’s kinda coming into focus that DJT himself, will do much of the political heavy lifting for us. If there is a Neo among us, let them show themselves, soon….
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