Bernie Sanders ignites a schism in the Democrat Party that changes everything
The Left isn’t as united as they pretend to be. And now the cracks can’t be ignored.
Because Bernie Sanders ignited a schism in the Democrat Party that changes everything.
Sen. Bernie Sanders recently headlined a fiery rally in Los Angeles, throwing his full weight behind California’s proposed “Billionaire Tax” ballot measure.
The event highlighted deep divisions within Democratic circles, as the Vermont senator championed a plan that even some prominent party figures, like Gov. Gavin Newsom, have openly opposed due to its potential to drive away wealth and innovation.
Populist Push Against the “Billionaire Class”
At the packed gathering at The Wiltern theater, drawing about 1,500 energized supporters—including healthcare workers in white coats—Sanders delivered a scathing critique of extreme wealth concentration. He declared, “Starting right here in California these billionaires are going to learn we are still living in a democratic society where the people have the power.”
He went further, blasting, “Never before in American history have we seen the kind of greed, arrogance and moral turpitude,” while framing the moment as one where “our country [must] finally confront a grotesque level of income and wealth inequality.”
Sanders insisted, “We are looking at a moment in history where never before have so few people had so much wealth and so much power,” and repeatedly pushed the evening’s core slogan: “Make billionaires pay their share.”
He singled out figures like Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk’s companies for allegedly dodging their fair share of taxes, calling the tax an “emergency” measure to bolster healthcare workers amid potential federal cuts.
The Tax Proposal and Its Risks
The California Billionaire Tax Act, set for the 2026 ballot, would levy a one-time 5% tax on the net worth of the state’s billionaires, aiming to generate roughly $100 billion over five years. Supporters argue it would fund healthcare, public education, and food security programs.
Audience signs proclaimed “Billionaire Tax Now: Vote Yes 11/3/26,” reflecting union-backed momentum.
Yet critics, including Newsom, warn that such punitive measures could trigger an exodus of high-net-worth individuals and businesses—already evident as at least six billionaires, including Page and Zuckerberg, reduce ties to the state, with others eyeing Nevada or elsewhere.
Polls show about 60% of likely California voters favor a wealth tax in principle, even while acknowledging it risks job losses and economic flight—hardly a ringing endorsement when the real-world consequences hit.
Democratic Divisions and Practical Concerns
Sanders’ enthusiastic endorsement puts him at odds with establishment Democrats like Newsom, who fear the short-term cash grab would lead to long-term revenue hemorrhaging as productive residents and companies relocate.
This rift exposes how progressive rhetoric often ignores economic reality: aggressive taxation schemes tend to punish success and innovation rather than solve underlying issues.
While Sanders rails against “oligarchs,” ordinary Californians face the fallout from policies that accelerate the very flight of capital and talent that has plagued high-tax blue states.
The proposal risks turning California into an even clearer cautionary tale of where unchecked left-wing economic experiments lead—fewer jobs, strained services, and a hollowed-out tax base.
