Are Marx and Veblen similar?

Indeed, they are, but they are not the same. Both authors operate with a fairly uncomplicated social structure: for the most part there are two classes, the upper and the lower, the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, the leisure and the working. The upper own and work less physically demanding and demeaning jobs (if work at all), the lower - work hard and never get anywhere. Both authors also believe that the initial accumulation of capital by the upper class was never done on merit (i.e., personal ability, skill and work). Both view the upper class as abusive, exploiting and dishonest, both see the upper class as the oppressor. However, the implications of the two views are different: after all, it is all about the outcome.