This article is absurd.The mere suggestion that the top1% is powerless is beyond ignorant and I'm sure O'Brien know it. Beyond this his premise of
"it's absurd to demonize the rich for being rich and doing what the rich do, which is get richer by creating opportunities for others."
is severely flawed. This is way more likely to manifest through giving more money through taxes or through philanthropic support. Higher taxes on the super rich are bad is the premise of the article and it has been resounding shown that the percentage of philanthropy as share of income is way higher is you aren't rich. The super rich have rigged the system for their own benefit and Obama and Congress has been complicit with this reality.
I think that the author is writing this a bit tongue-in-cheek and is aware of it's absurdity. At least, that's how I read it.