OPINION | Biden Identifies All The Right Problems -- Way Too Late
Outgoing president warns about the influence of oligarchy and big money in politics
President Biden ticked off a long list of the issues most threatening US democracy and the well-being of average Americans.
He was absolutely correct in naming the rise of oligarchy, the influence of big money in politics and the system being so tilted in favor of the ultra-wealthy at the expense of the middle and working classes.
The influence and control a very few ultra-wealthy Americans exercise over the rest of us is hard to overstate, and that power only has been growing for decades now.
But, by sharing this with the American people in his farewell speech, Biden was four years too late.
The truth is that this should have been the president’s first speech — not his last.
Biden should have spelled all this out as his cause animating his entire term.
Most Americans are aware that the system is tilted hard against them.
Can you imagine how the last four years — not to mention the 2024 elections — would have been different had Biden tackled all this head-on?
He would have captured a true and democratic populism, and not let Donald Trump and MAGA hold away with their own repressive, autocratic — and ultimately false —populism.
He should have been talking about all of this for the last four years, instead of spouting abstract economic data and statistics that are unconnected to the lives of most Americans.
At least voters would have a much keener sense that Biden and Democrats were fighting for them.
“Powerful forces want to wield their unchecked influence, to eliminate the steps we've taken to tackle the climate crisis, to serve their own interest for power and profit,” Biden said from the Oval Office Wednesday evening. “We must not be bullied into sacrificing the future, the future of our children and our grandchildren, must keep pushing forward and push faster. There's no time to waste.”
“No time to waste,” Mr President?
Then why did you waste the last four years of your presidency before firing us up with this crucial speech?
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