Trump’s plutocratic dream is a nightmare | Opinion

Bath resident David Nyberg critiques Donald Trump’s presidency in new column

Bath, Maine – In a recent opinion piece for the Press Herald, local resident David Nyberg turned his attention to the political legacy of former President Donald J. Trump and the broader debate over democratic governance in the United States.

Nyberg, who has long written for the paper, used the historical backdrop of ancient Athens to frame his argument. He pointed out that the Athenian model—known for its commitment to free speech and the rule of the many—was challenged by rival city‑states, most notably the Spartans. Nyberg argues that, in his view, the United States has faced a similar clash between democratic ideals and the interests of a privileged few.

In the column, Nyberg labels Trump a “plutocrat” who “works daily to fulfill his plutocratic dream of rule by the rich few.” He describes Trump’s base, often referred to as the MAGA coalition, as largely composed of lower‑income, less‑educated voters who feel alienated by the political system. According to Nyberg, Trump taps into that sense of exclusion, stoking anger before offering broad‑based solutions.

The piece goes on to distinguish two political approaches that Nyberg suggests could counter what he sees as the excesses of plutocratic rule:

• Democratic socialism – an ideology that seeks to replace large, privately owned enterprises with cooperative ownership structures. Nyberg notes that proponents believe capitalism itself concentrates power so far that it becomes impossible for the majority to influence policy. He characterizes the goal of this approach as “revolutionary” but warns that the means would remain democratic, relying on elections and legislation.
• Social democracy – a more modest reformist path that seeks to adjust the existing capitalist framework to better serve the public. Nyberg highlights the Nordic model—particularly the economies of Denmark, Norway and Sweden—as exemplars of how a market‑based system can be combined with robust public services such as healthcare, education and pensions.

Nyberg closes by urging readers to “shake Donald Trump out of his delusional dream” and to consider future elections in which candidates prioritize the welfare of all citizens over the interests of the wealthy. The column is part of the Press Herald’s “columns” tag and reflects Nyberg’s continued engagement with national politics from his hometown of Bath.