The Washington Post’s call to “retire ‘rigged system’ populism” rings hollow in the face of persistent, documented economic inequalities and a political landscape increasingly shaped by corporate influence. While some may wish to move beyond a narrative that has defined much of the last decade’s political discourse, doing so prematurely risks dismissing the very real grievances of millions and blunting the progressive movement’s essential critique of entrenched power. To pretend that the system is suddenly fair, or that public perception of its inequities is merely a populist rhetorical device, is to ignore the foundational injustices that continue to erode democratic principles and economic mobility.

The Current Reality

Far from being an outdated concept, the “rigged system” narrative continues to resonate because the evidence of systemic imbalance is overwhelming and ongoing. In July 2026, we see persistent inflation coupled with stagnant real wages for many working-class families, while corporate profits soar to historic highs. Recent reports from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) in early 2026 highlighted that despite a robust job market, the wealth gap between the richest 1% and the bottom 90% has continued to widen, reaching levels not seen since the Gilded Age. This isn’t abstract data; it’s felt in every grocery store, every rent increase, and every family budget stretched to its breaking point.

Furthermore, the influence of money in politics remains a central concern. The 2026 midterm election cycle, already heating up, is projected to break records for dark money spending and corporate lobbying, according to analyses by groups like OpenSecrets. Just last month, a highly controversial bill with significant environmental implications passed Congress after intense lobbying efforts from major energy corporations, despite widespread public opposition and expert warnings. “When policy decisions consistently favor powerful corporate interests over the well-being of the general public, it’s not ‘populism’ to call it rigged; it’s simply describing reality,” stated Sarah Jenkins, director of the Public Accountability Project, in a recent interview.

A Progressive Critique

The suggestion to “retire” the “rigged system” narrative often comes from voices eager to depoliticize economic inequality and shift the blame from structural failures to individual choices or, ironically, to the “populist” grievances themselves. This framing conveniently sidesteps the uncomfortable truths about unchecked corporate power, regressive tax policies, and the erosion of regulatory oversight that have systematically benefited the wealthy at the expense of everyone else. From a progressive viewpoint, discarding this language isn’t an evolution; it’s a capitulation. It disarms the very movement seeking to challenge the status quo and push for equitable distribution of wealth and power.

To label the critique of a rigged system as mere “populism” is often a tactic to dismiss legitimate concerns as irrational or unsophisticated. It attempts to reframe a principled stand against corruption and corporate capture as a dangerous, divisive ideology. However, the progressive argument is not against prosperity but against extraction; not against success but against exploitation. When the average CEO-to-worker pay ratio continues to escalate dramatically, reaching over 300:1 by some estimates in 2025, the system isn’t just favoring the rich, it’s actively designed to concentrate wealth at the top. Ignoring this reality under the guise of retiring a “populist” phrase only serves to normalize and perpetuate these injustices.

The Path Forward

Instead of retiring the accurate description of a “rigged system,” progressives must double down on exposing and dismantling the mechanisms that perpetuate it. This means advocating for robust policy changes that rebalance power and prioritize public good over private profit. Key areas of focus include:

  • Campaign Finance Reform: Pushing for comprehensive legislation to limit corporate and dark money in politics, increasing transparency, and empowering small-dollar donors. The “Democracy for All Act,” currently stalled in Congress, offers a blueprint for such reforms.
  • Strengthening Labor Rights: Empowering unions and protecting workers’ rights to organize and collectively bargain, thereby increasing their leverage against corporate power and ensuring fair wages and benefits. Recent successful union drives at major tech companies in early 2026 demonstrate the power of collective action.
  • Progressive Taxation: Implementing genuinely progressive tax policies, including wealth taxes and higher corporate tax rates, to fund essential public services and reduce wealth inequality.
  • Anti-Monopoly Enforcement: Vigorously enforcing antitrust laws to break up corporate monopolies that stifle competition, drive up consumer prices, and exert undue political influence. The Biden administration’s FTC has shown some renewed vigor in this area in 2025-2026, but more is needed.

The “rigged system” isn’t a hyperbolic slogan; it’s a call to action born from observable facts and lived experiences. To dismiss it is to dismiss the very real struggle for economic justice and democratic integrity. The progressive path forward is not to abandon this crucial truth but to amplify it, offering concrete solutions to unrig the system and build a more equitable future for all.