In a fiery campaign stop in Arizona, Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivered the stinging counterattack. Specifically, they fired shots across the bows of former President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk. On their Stop Oligarchy tour, they specifically targeted Trump and Musk. They strongly condemned them for continuing to baffle American voters with the prospect of an oligarchic future. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez walked into a raucous and packed arena. They fired up the crowd and promised to defend working- and middle-class Americans from the nefarious plans of multimillionaire industry moguls.
Ocasio-Cortez, despite not mentioning her political ambitions or Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer directly, engaged with the crowd's chants of "Primary Chuck." This meeting revealed just how fed-up rank-and-file Democrats are with their party’s leadership. Her keynotes show a need for the Democratic party to fight more fiercely for their supporters. Never has an audience erupted in applause like they did for her, providing standing ovation after standing ovation.
“We’re going to throw these bums out and fight for the nation we deserve.” – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Sanders, who made a name for himself critiquing the growing chasm of economic inequality, cautioned about how this billionaire impact looked on American democracy. He blamed Trump, Musk and other industry leaders for taking advantage of the country’s economic system for their own purposes. Unfortunately, this is usually at the expense of ordinary Americans.
“We will not allow you to move this country into an oligarchy. We’re not going to allow you and your friend Mr Musk and the other billionaires to wreak havoc on this country.” – Bernie Sanders
Chief among Sanders’ sharpest attacks were directed at the biggest of corporations, especially those within the fossil fuel, pharmaceutical and insurance sectors. He brought attention to ways in which their policies have negatively affected the economy and ruined people’s lives.
“They are the CEOs of major corporations who are robbing us every single day,” – Bernie Sanders
On their way out, the dynamic duo congratulated Arizona voters on their election of two Democratic senators. They attributed this achievement to the fact that the state’s residents demanded accountability from their representatives.
“One thing I love about Arizonans is that you all have shown that if a US senator isn’t fighting hard enough for you, you’re not afraid to replace her with one who will.” – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez challenged the assembled to get behind the right candidates, who would bravely fight for working-class priorities. And they highlighted the work of getting leaders elected who are going to stand up to mighty economic forces. Taken together, these interests, they argued, are corrupting American democracy.