03-24-25 - Questioning Why Everyone Suddenly Knows What Oligarchy Is And Hates It - Guad Replay

Summary

Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona Episode Summary: March 24, 2025 Episode Title: "Questioning Why Everyone Suddenly Knows What Oligarchy Is And Hates It - Guad Replay"

Hosted by John Holmberg with co-hosts Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo on 98 KUPD | Hubbard Radio.

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Introduction to the Topic: The Rise of "Oligarchy" in Public Discourse

In this episode, the hosts delve into the sudden surge in public awareness and negative sentiment toward the concept of "oligarchy." The discussion is sparked by recent political events where prominent figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) have prominently used the term, leading to widespread discourse and confusion among listeners.

John Holmberg initiates the conversation by highlighting his surprise at seeing Bernie Sanders’ name associated with the term "oligarchy" during a recent tour. He remarks:

"First off, the sign that I saw on Thursday I found hysterical. They're touring, they're like going city to say they're in Denver. And they had this, their big sign as outside the arenas they're in. Stop oligarchy. Right? And I didn't realize it was such a thing. And I just started to think, how sheepy are we? We didn't know what an oligarchy was four years ago."
[01:03]

Understanding "Oligarchy": From Unknown to Viral

The hosts explore how the term "oligarchy," previously obscure to many, has become a trending topic. John expresses bewilderment over the sudden popularity:

"Why can't we say rich guy thing? Why does it have to be some new thing? Now everybody's mad at oligarchies. Like you don't even know what that was."
[01:24]

Dick Toledo humorously suggests the impracticality of using simpler terms:

"Rich guy doesn't make a good T shirt."
[01:31]

Bernie Sanders's repeated emphasis on stopping oligarchy adds to the confusion and curiosity among listeners:

"Gotta stop the oligarchy."
[01:23]
"We'll stop rich guys."
[01:33]

Public Reaction and Media Influence

The conversation shifts to how media and influential figures shape public perception. John notes the irony of political figures adopting complex terms to resonate with the masses:

"So I'm like, wow, he's mad at oligarchies. And I don't think that guy said that ever in his life. But now we're all mad at it. Like everybody's. You're supposed to be mad at the word oligarchy."
[01:48]

Alex adds a layer of skepticism regarding the depth of public understanding:

"I was like, do we have a bunch of rich Russian families here?"
[03:08]

Terminology and Misunderstandings

The hosts attempt to demystify "oligarchy," discussing its origins and true meaning. John admits his limited knowledge:

"I didn't know what an oligarchy was until that old Jewish guy was screaming about it."
[03:01]

The conversation underscores the necessity for listeners to educate themselves:

"You got to look it up, though, to be. Understand what you're mad at."
[03:21]

Political Figures and Personalities

The episode features banter about political personas and their influence. Bernie humorously interacts with co-hosts, emphasizing the importance of the term while also injecting levity into the discussion:

"Are you a Democrat? Do you hate the oligarchy? You're hired. I just need you to scream out oligarchy."
[05:01] – [05:08]

The hosts mention various public figures potentially associated with oligarchic traits, blending factual discussion with humor:

"Matt Ishbia. And then the guy who runs Discount Tire and Bob Parsons could all stand outside."
[07:14]

Side Topics: Sports and Technology Interlude

While the central theme revolves around oligarchy, the hosts divert to other areas, adding depth and variety to the conversation.

March Madness Highlights

The discussion touches on recent upsets and surprising outcomes in women's March Madness, highlighting the unpredictability and excitement of the tournament:

"Will's women's March Madness is beating out George Foreman right now."
[06:04]

New Fighter Jet Discussion

A brief segment covers the introduction of a new stealth fighter jet, showcasing the hosts' engagement with current events and technological advancements:

"That's the new stealth fighter. It replaced the old stealth fighter. Not the big B1."
[05:36] – [05:44]

Conclusion: The Impact of Political Rhetoric on Public Consciousness

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the influence of political rhetoric in shaping public consciousness. John expresses skepticism about the authenticity and impact of Bernie Sanders' campaign messages:

"This seems pointless anyway. It's Bernie. He's in there."
[07:48]

Bernie closes with a dramatic statement, encapsulating the episode's central theme:

"It's out of control now."
[08:01]

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Key Takeaways

1. Sudden Popularity of "Oligarchy": The term has rapidly entered mainstream discourse, primarily driven by political figures like Bernie Sanders and AOC.
2. Public Confusion and Curiosity: Many listeners, including the hosts, were previously unfamiliar with "oligarchy," leading to widespread curiosity and the need for clarification.
3. Media Influence: The role of media and influential personalities in popularizing complex political terms is significant, shaping public opinion and understanding.
4. Interplay of Seriousness and Humor: The hosts balance serious political discussion with humor and light-hearted banter, making the conversation engaging and relatable.
5. Broader Discussions: While centered on oligarchy, the episode also touches on relevant topics like sports and technology, providing a well-rounded listening experience.

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Notable Quotes

• John Holmberg [01:24]: "Why can't we say rich guy thing? Why does it have to be some new thing?"
• Bernie Sanders [01:23]: "Gotta stop the oligarchy."
• Dick Toledo [01:31]: "Rich guy doesn't make a good T shirt."
• John Holmberg [03:01]: "I didn't know what an oligarchy was until that old Jewish guy was screaming about it."
• Bernie Sanders [05:01]: "Are you a Democrat? Do you hate the oligarchy? You're hired."
• John Holmberg [07:48]: "This seems pointless anyway. It's Bernie. He's in there."
• Bernie Sanders [08:01]: "It's out of control now."

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Conclusion

This episode of "Holmberg's Morning Sickness" offers a humorous yet insightful exploration of the term "oligarchy" and its sudden prominence in political discourse. Through engaging dialogue and relatable banter, the hosts dissect the reasons behind the term's viral status, its impact on public perception, and the broader implications for political communication. Whether you're familiar with the term or hearing it for the first time, this episode provides a comprehensive and entertaining analysis of a timely topic.

Transcript

[Dick Toledo]

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[John]

You're listening to the HMS podcast brought to you by mmpguns.com your most trusted online marketplace for firearms, ammunition and accessories. I don't know if you got I have to say before we get into the Guadalupe replay, because I just saw Bernie Sanders name on there. Have you guys saw any of the highlights of Bernie and AOC here? I got a little distracted by a couple of things. First off, the sign that I saw on Thursday I found hysterical. But they're touring, they're like going city to say they're in Denver. And they had this, their big sign as outside the arenas they're in. Stop oligarchy. Right? And I didn't realize it was such a thing. And I just started to think, how sheepy are we? We didn't know what an oligarchy was four years ago.

[Bernie]

Gotta stop the oligarchy.

[John]

Why can't we say rich guy thing? Why does it have to be some new thing? Now everybody's mad at oligarchies. Like you don't even know what that was.

[Dick Toledo]

Rich guy doesn't make a good T shirt. John.

[Bernie]

We'll stop rich guys.

[John]

But again, I mean, do we? Oligarchies, they do a lot of good.

[Bernie]

Rich guy oligarchy, that's the word. You go, oh, you all hate it now. Look it up on your phones. You're going to go crazy.

[John]

So I'm like, wow, he's mad at oligarchies. And I don't think that guy said that ever in his life. But now we're all mad at it. Like everybody's. You're supposed to be mad at the word oligarchy.

[Bernie]

So they are.

[John]

There's a whole group of people really angry at that. And I get it. Like you're seeing billionaires doing stuff. But guess what? That's been the case for a while. But then AOC rolls out and she's got a pair of tight jeans on, and she's not all together 100%. You know, she's wearing the mom jeans now a little bit mom jean. I noticed that too. But they. She filled them out and kind of bubbled them up a little bit. I'm like, aoc, I might listen to what you have to say here.

[Dick Toledo]

Stop the oligarchy.

[John]

She's making a lot of good points up there, and her boobs were. She looked good. Maybe it's because she's standing next to Bernie Sanders, and that definitely helps, but AOC has a moment or two where you're looking like she might. She might be able to convince me of some stuff. Have you ever considered socialism? No, but I think you can make me listen to you.

[Bernie]

All right, we're gonna stop the oligarchy.

[John]

Your grandfather go home for a minute. I think we were doing all right until he wouldn't. What the hell's an oligarchy? If you don't. If you.

[Bernie]

You get upset. You have to be upset at one thing and one thing only, and that's oligarchy. I'm 105 years old and I've never been mad at oligarchies before, so I'm doing that now.

[Alex]

I was like, do we have a bunch of rich Russian families here?

[John]

Right. Well, that's what I thought it was, too. Yeah, it is. And it's a Russian word, like led by one or led by few or something like that.

[Bernie]

You got to look it up, though, to be. Understand what you're mad at. But if I scream it loud enough, you'll be mad at the oligarchy.

[John]

How much you want to bet that? That's probably one of the most googled words this weekend. It's gonna win the Google, like, from. Yeah, 100% since December.

[Bernie]

What?

[John]

It meant the most googled word. Like, we knew, kind of. Oh, it's. Yeah, but like a Russian rich. I don't know for sure. To understand it fully, you had to look it up. Most of us. I know. I'll get an email. Or do I know what it was? You know, it was. You pay attention at school. Well, you just defined me. I didn't pay attention in school. I didn't know what an oligarchy was until that old Jewish guy was screaming about it.

[Bernie]

I hate oligarchies. What's.

[John]

Is they coming for us? Is that something you need to worry about at night?

[Bernie]

Oh, you call them up at 11 o'clock and you say, oligarchy. Walk my dog.

[John]

Oh, like, oh, it's a rapist.

[Bernie]

Yes. Financial rape is what it is.

[John]

So anyway. But they came to town last Thursday. And here's the other thing I don't understand. How can politicians who are state politicians tour. Why is he yelling at us? He's from Vermont.

[Alex]

Don't have responsibilities here.

[John]

Isn't Vermont the only place that it matters when he yells no oligarchy is in Arizona, too. And shouldn't you convince the Arizona reps to be screaming?

[Bernie]

McCarthy.

[Alex]

And I get it. He wants to be down in some warmer weather right now.

[John]

He's an older man.

[Bernie]

We're going to do oligarchy hate in Florida and in Arizona through the spring because I can't tolerate the wind. Do you want to come with me? Alexandria Ocasio Ortiz Cartastio.

[John]

Sure.

[Bernie]

All right. I just need two questions. Are you a Democrat?

[John]

Yes.

[Bernie]

Do you hate the oligarchy?

[Dick Toledo]

Yes.

[Bernie]

You're hired. I just need you to scream out oligarchy.

[Dick Toledo]

Some of the top searches are yellow Beezy.

[John]

What's that?

[Dick Toledo]

I have no idea. That's a person files.

[Bernie]

Well, that's a guy who yells about the oligarchy. He's a yellow Beezy.

[Dick Toledo]

Wyatt Hendrickson.

[Bernie]

That's a former oligarch.

[Dick Toledo]

Okay.

[Bernie]

From the great Russian family of Hendrickson.

[Dick Toledo]

Then you got all the March Madness search.

[John]

Yeah. Well, that's when we. When we compile it for the year.

[Dick Toledo]

Vanessa Trump.

[John]

Oh, she's banging Tiger Woods. Yes.

[Dick Toledo]

They're in lots of big.

[John]

What's going on with Tyler?

[Dick Toledo]

F47 is in the top 10.

[Bernie]

What's that?

[Dick Toledo]

That's the new fighter jet.

[John]

Oh, yeah, Cool. That's the bomber.

[Dick Toledo]

Yeah, the new stealth fighter jet. That looks like a stealth, but it's a fighter jet.

[John]

Well, that's. I thought it was the stealth fighter. It replaced the old stealth fighter. Not the big B1.

[Dick Toledo]

Not the big B1.

[John]

Yeah. It's really cool. Picture of it. I saw this weekend and it was.

[Bernie]

Built by billionaires and I want them to all die. I hate them oligarchies.

[Dick Toledo]

You'll be dismayed, but women's March Madness is beating out George Foreman right now.

[John]

And you know why? Because people ask the question, is that real? Nobody knew when it started, but here it is and it's on all the TVs. When we were at Four Peaks for Friday, a few of the TVs had the girls games on and they're so bad after the fourth seed, that one played 16. It was 108 to 46.

[Alex]

It might have been Notre Dame.

[John]

There's no need. No it was South Carolina. There's no need for that game to be played. No reason for there to be a 16 seed, let alone four of Mercy.

[Bernie]

Mercy.

[Alex]

All it.

[John]

The prisoner wishes to say a word. Freedom. Oh, no. And then they just quartered Bethune. I don't know how cool it was. They just gutted him. Just slaughtered them all over the field. Awful. Anyway, so we got the Guadalupe replay and Bernie's back in. I didn't know they were touring. I thought they just came here to yell at us about the oligarchy. And I don't know if any oligarchists stand outside and petition that. If I was, who would it be?

[Dick Toledo]

It'd be Ishbia here, right?

[John]

Matt Ishbia. And then the guy who runs Discount Tire and Bob Parsons could all stand outside. PXG guy. Ishbia. I think those are our Bob Parsons, the PhD guy. And he stands outside. Go, Daddy, up with the oligarchy. Like nobody's.

[Dick Toledo]

Up with the.

[John]

Nobody's rooting for it.

[Dick Toledo]

Go.

[John]

There's no counter to it.

[Bernie]

Here's something horrible. What if billionaires ran the world and made you slaves?

[John]

That sounds bad. Is there an opposition to that? And it's a bunch of billionaires going, we're not going to do that.

[Bernie]

Are they all too okay?

[John]

This seems pointless anyway. It's Bernie. He's in there. Tracy Morgan threw up all over the place. It's your Guadalupe replay from Friday. It's 98K upd.

[Bernie]

It's out of control now.