U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders spoke to a packed audience at the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia, during his “Fight Oligarchy” tour. He highlighted the struggles of everyday Americans living paycheck to paycheck, linking financial stress to negative health outcomes and a significant drop in life expectancy compared to other nations.
Sanders criticized wealth inequality, noting that individuals like Elon Musk possess more wealth than a majority of U.S. households combined. He urged citizens to challenge this oligarchy and advocate for democratic reforms, including the repeal of the Citizens United ruling, which he argues exacerbates the influence of money in politics.
Additionally, Sanders called for improvements in healthcare, emphasizing the high costs associated with poor health outcomes in the U.S. He proposed a minimum wage increase to $17 an hour and better pay for teachers. The event featured other speakers, including anti-poverty advocates, who addressed local issues and community rebuilding efforts.
