U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders addressed a large crowd at Wheeling’s Capitol Theatre as part of his national “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, highlighting the financial struggles many Americans face. He emphasized that 66% of the population lives paycheck-to-paycheck, leading to significant health issues, including shorter life expectancy among working-class individuals. Sanders criticized wealth disparity, pointing out that one individual, Elon Musk, possesses more wealth than 52% of U.S. households combined.
He urged the public to confront the influence of wealthy oligarchs in politics, referring to the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling, which allows unlimited political spending by corporations and unions. Sanders advocating for significant changes, including increasing the minimum wage to $17, supporting teachers with salaries of at least $60,000, and improving healthcare access. The event featured other speakers, including anti-poverty advocates and community organizers, all addressing local issues and encouraging activism.
