Progressive commentators slam billionaire CEOs and far-right Trump allies for distracting from the real threat to workers: exploitation by the wealthy. It's time to fight back for fair treatment of all workers. #WorkersRights
I was about to comment nearby that the phrase “billionaire robber barons” is redundant because there are no billionaires who are not living and profiting by means that should be illegitimate.
But you just reminded me that even “robber barons” is a conflicted term because it implies that there is or was some other type of more acceptable, more legitimate baron.
I suppose I’m probably playing “too socialist for school” here, but there never should have been any barons, and right now there ought not to be any billionaires. Their very existence is proof of a failed form of government.
Oligarchs is IMO a better term for our times. Robbers Barons has an archaic sound to it.
I’ve also noticed defenders of corruption/oligarchs really dislike this term.
Robber barrons is nice in that it is archaic, and shows us things haven’t really ever changed.
I use oligarchs in polite conversation, but it’s nice to have options.
I was about to comment nearby that the phrase “billionaire robber barons” is redundant because there are no billionaires who are not living and profiting by means that should be illegitimate.
But you just reminded me that even “robber barons” is a conflicted term because it implies that there is or was some other type of more acceptable, more legitimate baron.
I suppose I’m probably playing “too socialist for school” here, but there never should have been any barons, and right now there ought not to be any billionaires. Their very existence is proof of a failed form of government.
I prefer plutocrats to oligarchs. It points out that the problem is wealth disparity, specifically