Call them Robber Barons, not billionaires

[Deminpenn]

To Americans "billionaire" simply means rich guy.

To Americans "oligarch" is something to do with Russia. The offshoot "broligarch" is merely a clever amalgamation.

But 'Robber Baron" is a term Americans understand as a bad, even evil, rich person. Really Musk, Bezos, Zuckerberg are no different from Rockefeller, Carnegie, the RR tycoons and their ilk of the late 19th century.

Start referring to them as what they are both robbers and rich.

[Easterncedar]

1. Yes to that

[C_U_L8R]

2. That's John Barron, Robber

[kysrsoze]

3. There is one difference between then and now... philanthropy.

However cynical the reasoning behind it, at least the first group of robber barons donated millions (in late-1800's/early-1900's dollars) to various philanthropic causes, though not necessarily much in the way of charity. But at least we got some public buildings, arts endowments, etc.

This current crop of robber barons is nothing more than a bunch of self-absorbed, self-centered scumbags who are completely devoid of any concern for the general public or our democracy. The exist only to serve themselves and no one else.

[Deminpenn]

5. That's true, but most of that philanthropy

happened after they made their fortunes by exploiting labor and laws.

Don't forget these robber barons also were responsible for causing the great Johnstown Flood by closing, to enhance the lake for their own enjoyment, the sluices that drained excess water in the lake behind the dam.

[DrMJG10]

4. Perfect

We all need to give them that name!!!