Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently held their “Fighting Oligarchy Tour” in Tempe, focusing on economic inequality and criticizing Republican policies. However, Phil Boas from The Arizona Republic argues that the real issue is with the Democrats themselves, suggesting they are the party of the oligarchy. He highlighted the hypocrisy of Democratic leaders like Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez critiquing Republican wealth when they also rely on affluent donors.
Boas criticized the Democratic Party for receiving substantial financial support, noting their spending in recent campaigns. He compared their actions to a famous line from “Casablanca,” suggesting their outrage is insincere. Editorial page editor Elvia Díaz countered that while both parties are influenced by money, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are filling a leadership void among Democrats, connecting with voters frustrated by the Trump administration’s billionaire appointments.
The discussion emphasized the pervasive influence of money in politics and called for both parties to address this issue more sincerely. Ultimately, while Boas criticized the Democrats for their relationship with wealthy donors, Díaz defended Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez for attempting to engage with the electorate, highlighting a lack of effective Democratic leadership.
