For decades, Bernie Sanders has been warning about the dangers of wealth concentration and its impact on democracy. His recent comments about the United States becoming an oligarchy reflect not just the state of economic inequality but also the growing influence of billionaires on critical government processes. One stark example of this was President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement in a post on Truth Social, promising expedited permits and approvals for individuals or companies investing at least $1 billion in the United States.
Trump’s statement included a sweeping incentive: “Any person or company investing ONE BILLION DOLLARS, OR MORE, in the United States of America, will receive fully expedited approvals and permits, including, but in no way limited to, all Environmental approvals. GET READY TO ROCK!!!” This approach, while framed as a pro-investment strategy, raised immediate concerns about its implications for public health, safety, and environmental protections.
Critics argue that such policies essentially allow billionaires and large corporations to bypass regulations that exist to safeguard the public. Expedited environmental approvals could mean oil pipelines crossing critical drinking water supplies get pushed through faster, with less oversight. Developers of large-scale projects, such as high-rise condos, could circumvent building codes, even if those structures sit on unstable ground or fail to meet safety standards. These fast-tracked decisions often have devastating consequences—examples include oil spills contaminating water sources and unsafe buildings requiring emergency evacuations or collapsing entirely.
Sanders has long decried this kind of policy as emblematic of a system where money buys influence and undermines democracy. He has pointed out that such practices not only erode public trust but also exacerbate the wealth gap by giving the wealthiest corporations even more power to shape laws and regulations in their favor. When billionaires and corporations can buy expedited permits or influence decisions that impact the safety of millions, we’re not just talking about corruption we’re talking about a complete betrayal of the public trust.
In the pharmaceutical industry lobbying efforts have allowed companies to accelerate drug approvals, sometimes leading to medications being released without adequate safety testing. In agriculture, corporate giants have influenced environmental policies to delay or weaken regulations meant to curb harmful practices, putting profits ahead of sustainability and public health.
These examples underscore his broader critique: that the United States is no longer functioning as a democracy but as an oligarchy, where decisions are made not in the interest of the people but in favor of those with the deepest pockets.
The question remains whether Americans will heed Sanders’ long-standing warnings or continue to accept policies that prioritize the interests of billionaires over the collective good.
