I must give a short shoutout to the recently released book by Bernie Sanders titled “Fighting Oligarchy,” detailing the record-setting 2025 rally tour, for an 83 (now 84) year old Brooklyn, New York-born white guy NOT running for office. It’s an excellent and short 3ish hour listen on audiobook from the public library’s Libby app, so I listened once I got notified it was my turn. (Although for those of you who prefer print editions, it’s out now.)

Interestingly enough, I see many parallels between Dr. Anthony Fauci and Senator Bernie Sanders, as they were both born in New York City in the 1940s. Both are fascinating public servants, and among the most positively influential American heroes in my view. It’s really a shame how much hate and vitriol both men have received, especially from Republicans.

What makes this read by Sanders especially interesting is the current events of it all. It’s great to see the first person perspective of going out and drawing tens of thousands of people, in some of the reddest parts of the country, including Nebraska and Idaho. He also talks about the why Kamala Harris really fucked up where she needed to win, and why the asshole-in-Chief took office again, and I totally agree.

I am about 99% in agreement with Sanders on just virtually everything I’ve ever heard him say. The only minor caveat would be in realizing that occasionally, billionaires do good with their money, and support charitable foundations that actually have an impact (something Sanders fails to mention). Additionally, every once in a while, but not often enough, a well-regulated free market exists for X good or service, with balanced supply and demand, that does a good job at setting appropriate prices, and producing/selling efficient quantities of said X good or service. At times, I recognize that capitalism can incentivize cutting edge corporate research and innovation, albeit usually with massive venture capital and/or private equity, as well as targeted public investment.

I identify as a Democratic Socialist, and have, as long as I have understood the term. I don’t think pure socialism or pure capitalism is good, and I think both trigger words are misunderstood. We need a hybrid of socialism and capitalism: socialism for basic universal human needs, like infrastructure, utilities, education; and capitalism for the “wants” like niche and artisanal goods, service-based discretionary wants, and professional and creative services. I think capitalism is fine, IF and ONLY IF, the following criteria are met: producers are price takers not makers, there are low barriers to market entry, value differentiation in comparable products and businesses, monopoly prevention, and incentives for innovation. Very rarely in America are all of these criteria ACTUALLY met, which is why people justifiably hate on capitalism and “the system.”

Anyways, back to Sanders' book, I appreciate that, among other things, he lays out a vision for employee ownership in companies, a 32 hour work week, with strong unions, and a robust history lesson showing struggle and sacrifice. He also explains the disturbing rise of fascism around the world in 2025 largely due to unchecked power and greed, and relates his lifelong work to where we are today in the trenches of Project 2025. I’m sick of his repetitive talking points on mainstream media, so hearing him go into the niche details on American historical events and examples around the world here was enlightening. His calls to action, involvement, and persevering through despair was inspiring to hear. A must read!