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"Oligarchy" is a good starting point, but it may not be the right term to use for maximum impact. Instead, we need plain English terms to describe this bold corruption and its threat to our democracy. "Rule by the rich" or "billionaire-controlled government" are basic examples. Never use the word "oligarchy" without briefly and clearly saying what it is, as Biden did in his speech.

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Say it plainly. "It's wrong for a handful of billionaires to have more wealth than millions of hardworking families combined" and "It's morally corrupt for billionaires to run the government for their own benefit," etc.

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Narratives need characters. In the story of American democracy, greedy billionaires and their enablers are the villains. Elon Musk is setting himself up to be perhaps the most despised man in America. He is making it clear that he bought himself a presidency, and most Americans will view this bold corruption with moral outrage. We all know the archetype of the scheming rich person, a fat cat (or corporate power) that uses their power, resources, and influence to manipulate systems for personal gain, often at the expense of fairness, justice, or the well-being of others. The idea is already framed in our brains, waiting for activation.

The heroes in this story will be those who protect democracy by serving the people and halting the hostile billionaire takeover of our government. Note to Democratic Party leaders: It's your job to kick billionaire ass, not kiss it.

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Gil Duran is an American journalist based in San Francisco. He has served as the California opinion editor for The Sacramento Bee and editorial page editor for the San Francisco Examiner. He previously worked as press secretary for California governor Jerry Brown.[1]

From 2008 to 2010, Duran was communications director for U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. He was press secretary to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa from 2007 to 2008.[2]

In 2013, Duran was the communications director for Kamala Harris during her tenure as the California attorney general.[3]

In 2018, Duran became the California opinion editor for The Sacramento Bee and oversaw strategy for McClatchy's five California news organizations: The Sacramento Bee, The Fresno Bee, The Modesto Bee, The Merced Sun-Star and The Tribune in San Luis Obispo.[4]