The right thing to do here is to identify those corporations and begin to boycott them for participating in DAVOS. Especially since DAVOS is a threat to our livelihood: https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/who-are-the-bad-guys
Franklin, I feel the right thing to do is boycott all of them. We need to get back to relying on each other. Neighbor helping neighbor, co-ops, u-pick farms, and selling what we make to one another. We need artisans back in business and we need to move away from corporations and their greed.
No it isn’t. Just do it. Make it the priority. Do it now. I will never take my grandkids to another McDonalds. I will spread the information. Every movement starts small and grows!
My grandchildrens’ parents go-to “restaurant “ is McDonald’s. And, of course, the kids love the high calorie, low value food. So, it is hard, especially when they are all around. I pledge to try.
It’s a start — maybe sit with the lists Prof. Reich provided and make our own list of places we will TRY to avoid {if we can even know all the rands represented by these corporations}.
But, as you say, make a start, and make an effort …
Margaret, it will be hard to do. The generations coming up are use to just running to a box store to satisfy their need for something. It is important for the older generation to show them how they are hurting themselves by continuing to feed these large corporations.
Yes, but some like Infinity have monopolies of areas and the users have no other options. That is my point. I know someone who lives in a trailer and has Infinity for her phone and internet. There is no other carrier.
Peggy, the problem is that the older generations participate in the fast food and other conveniences too. There are no easy answers to this. One step would be to hold corporations accountable, force them to pay their fair share of taxes, to actively positively participate in the communities where they exist, even have CEOs and the other officials live in the communities near where their factories/stores/plants are located. I bet there would be some improvements if they had to breathe the polluted air, smell the fumes, and drink the water the residents there do every day. A wealth tax also would be good, a luck tax that would let us all realize that so much of their wealth is from luck so they can contribute to the luck of others.
Good point Peggy. Many boomers taught their children the run to the box store to satisfy their needs. Let’s blame the generations coming up and wash our older hands of it!
Peggy - YES!!!! and Let's start a companion app to connect people to the alternatives? If there was an app to identify the deniers, PAC's, and other buggers they donate to- why couldn't we create a companion app to offer the good alternatives in your area? Rather than use ahem... (meta, etc...) an independent app could organize resources by states, counties. towns, and communities. We could locally amplify and connect all our options and demonstrate the powerful force of the people!!! Anyone else up for that? Flood them with thousands of notices that we're taking our $$$ elsewhere until they support democracy.
Maybe it could also be set it up so that when you sign up - you can send a message right to the companies corporate website with both a review message that is posted and also send it to their leadership: For example Home Depot executives: Dear Home Depot leaders - I've enjoyed shopping at your store, BUT I am officially boycotting your stores until you stop funding election deniers in the US. Here's the list. Your corporation has a choice. My choice as your former customer is to support the integrity of our democracy - rather than spend another $ at your stores until this changes. Sincerely, Ms. Smith, aka the "Defund Election Deniers" - Defend Democracy team. P.S. This is so important - I am telling ALL my friends!
I'm going to contact the app creators above to see how we could add a companion app! Maybe Inequality media or Robert can connect us to students or others who can create it??? Any other ideas??? Magic Girl
Oh my goodness, Magicgirl!! I got goosebumps reading your reply. This is most excellent!! I am not tech savvy; however, I would most definitely use that app and tell all of my friends (they aren't tech savvy either) about it and we will pass it on and on and on!! Here comes that groundswell of American voices!! Thank you!!
You have to be more selective. Someone has to organize it. Look for those most vulnerable where the public can made easy alternative choices. You want to pick on one or a small number, damage them and make other companies take notice.
That's a good idea, Steve. How do you organize it? The easy alternative choices I mentioned earlier like Aldi's, Sav-a-Lot, vegetable stands, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, u-pick farms, and thrift stores are good choices. Which one or small number do we need to start with?
Peggy Freeman ; You have just listed many of the places where my daughter shops, Aldi's is her favorite! I used to take her to tag sales, vegetable stands, the local pick your own and farm stands , and that is where she shops now. She makes her own and her daughter's clothing. Goes to Goodwill and other thrift stores, like Salvation Army. she wants to grow some of her own food, and raise chickens.
Do boycotts work ? well it depends. Anheiser Bush (now InBev) has been stung by the customer base turned off by it's LQBTQ support if I recall. I give right wing media credit for that. and not sure leftists can do that as well as they did. I also don't know whether that effect on Bud still exists. Sometimes boycotts, and compensatory "buycotts" , have transient effects. I think the boycott of South Africa for apartheid was effective but haven't verified that. If I ever buy from Amazon it's absolutely the last choice available for a critically needed item. I avoid China but that's not easy. But you don't have to go to Home Depot or Hobby Lobby when there are other choices.
Peggy, i have already boycotted all of those companies that Mr. Reich has listed on this post for over 2 years now. I already knew about most of them and their support for those election deniers. That Arthur Blank SOB that is CEO of Home Depot is one of those i despise the most. He also owns the Atlanta Falcons NFL football team. I actually despise all of those corporations that Mr. Reich has listed on this post.
Some can be found on Etsy. I sell my handmade items there and there are many more like me. Almost anything handmade can be found there. No corporations involved in my work I do it all myself.
Wherever the fabric is made I have a large supply right now that I am not looking to buy any just use what I have. But there is no way to afford the $12+ dollars a yard that fabric that is dyed here in the states but still made overseas is affordable. Some supplies used to be made here in the states but I don't think that any are these days. My cutting and sewing is my own work. You can see the different things in the stores: www.kraftykats.etsy.com, (the only work not mine are the baby blankets that are knitted my mother did those the rest are my work). wwwtheshabbychenillekat.etsy.com, and www.simplyjudaica.etsy.com
Yes! It may be difficult, due to webs of business connections, but we do our best, keep the list available, and refer to it before before any business interaction. I also will do my best to contact any business I am boycotting, and politely tell them why I avoid them. Time consuming and difficult to execute perfectly, but best efforts can still make an impact.
Now that's what I'm talking about, Margaret!! Keep at them and let them know why. It is time consuming but if they hear from a lot of us, it might make a difference!!
As others are saying here, it's hard to do. However, we may find that socioeconomic and other harsh pressures may force the reluctant into those kinds of local, smaller enterprises because previous practices will no longer be as viable.
Re we need to work, produce, and sell to each other. A plan to have children and grandchildren sweeping floors, and canning vegetables for what-they-can-get, purchase used cloths and towels. Homemade paper and pens, quills. Efficiencies from mass production floats all boats. Old-fashioned methods are not coming back again, except for a half-day’s pay for a jar of jam, or a month’s pay for a bookshelf. Anti mass production, anti corporation is available--price, a walk in the bush. In the 70s a couple, living with several children in a cave, was at the laundromat--at least she and children were. He was probably at the hardware store, purchasing manufactured tools, or out for a beer.
How about boycotting the fossil fuel industry where possible? For instance, If you need to buy a car, do not buy a plain gas car. At least get a hybrid. Or a plug-in hybrid, or an EV.
For instance, if you need to 'fix' your home heating, remove the gas and air ducted junk, and get a mini-split heat pump system instead. If you need a new stove, make it electric. They even have heat pump clothes dryers now, but maybe they are too new to recommend yet.
Tired of paying for electricity? Maybe you have a good roof for solar. Do what you can.
Boycotts have so little effect nowadays as to make them impracticable at best. Large companies have put so many small businesses out of business that most Americans have no alternative. DAVOS exists because they know that. DAVOS exists because they have the money and resources to get what they want - and we do not. Boycotts are not the answer - a responsible, representative Congress is.
I'm pretty sure it's a hack. Last week there was another repeated "message" from Robert Reich in the comments. I was a little curious why he didn't comment to disregard. It clearly was not him.
Hi Robert, I just got an email "from you", saying that you replied to a comment I made, but the link was dead, didn't take me to "your comment", but DID have a link pushing crypto. How about leaving the guys handle up with a troll alert, so that we'll know who he is in future posts?
I'll trust Davos participants the day they resolve:
1. Corporations have no role in democracy or government, and
2. The corporate role in society is to provide well-regulated - by democratically elected government - goods & services while providing union jobs paid at a living wage.
Yes, It's been a long journey with every time they have passed legislation that undermined our Democracy and caused ever more problems for the health and well being of the American people. It has taken over 40 years since Reagan began the decline and Trump to finish the job till now when ignorance amongst the electorate reigns supreme and the work continues and it doesn't look good for many.
G. Wayne, there may be some in the electorate that are ignorant but not all. I have spoken with my friends about selecting the right candidates in the election. These are things that we all agree on. 1. Research and KNOW the candidates. 2. Does the candidate actually have a plan or agenda that he/she will discuss when campaigning. 3. If the candidate continues to repeat platitudes and sayings like 'I'm going to work for you', 'I will listen to your concerns', 'Together we will make a difference', and other such stupid statements, then that candidate is NOT for you. 4. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If the candidate laughs at you, gets prickly with you, he/she is NOT for you. When the electorate does these things, we will be able to weed out those people running for office to profit off of it. We will begin to elect people that will honestly work for their constituency.
Peggy, I have grown so cynical. There is truth to what you say, but that vetting may just weed out the candidates who aren’t skilled at playing the game. The sociopaths are very often extremely charming. They know the act. And then there’s the pressures on the newly-elected to join the Good Old Boys. The GOBs know how to corrupt - talking up the Bills that their swell donors want, introducing them to the players...... They are the Fox News of the Capital, repeating their lies, including the newbie in the power lunches and after-session drinks. Corrupt before...corrupt afterwards.
I don’t like believing this. And I know there are exceptions -- but not enough of them. Until Citizens United is in the dustbin of history, our boycotts can never be enough.
I agree, Marge, that Citizens United must be done away with. We simply need to make a start. Once that start has begun, there will be a huge ground swell of Americans taking back their country from the greedy rich. There is campaigning and petitions to end Citizens United and we must continue to push that campaign. As far as weeding out the candidates, we must be diligent and press them for transparency. If they do get elected and succumb to the siren song of corruption, they need to be voted out the next election. That is basically all I can do is use my voice and vote.
Marge Wherley : I wonder what Bernie Sanders would advise ? He would have an idea of what qualities to look for in a candidate. I would think. Or simply might make reccommendations, for who is doing a good job. Other progressives may have ideas. Too.
Jaime Ramirez : Native 'Americans' thought the white ones in the Nina. The Pinta and the Santa Maria were looked upon as higher beings, or spirits. Little did they know....
Peggy Freeman: Your statement "if the candidate laughs at you" caused me to remember an incident in what may have been the 2016 campaign when a young female college student asked trump a question and the horrible way he answered her and how Obama, years earlier, treated a young female college student when she asked Obama a question. After seeing trump's response, I thought that no parent would vote for trump, that no parent would want their young daughter to be so disrespectfully and unkindly treated. I was wrong; parents did vote for trump. So, I like your thought: "if the candidate laughs at you, he is not for you." It is so true.
Thank you, Barbara. I feel we must make these candidates understand that they would be working for us, not uber rich. Also, if a candidate is disrespectful and unkind to a potential voter, it should be a red flag to anyone not to even consider that candidate. I want candidates to discuss what they intend to do if elected. I don't want to hear them tear down the other party and scream woke, woke, woke. I want to know where they stand on actual issues that resonate with their constituents. I especially want to hear any candidate who expects my vote to say loud and clear that they will work across the aisle to get bipartisan legislation done. I am tired of the 'my way or nothing' attitude in Congress nowadays. I want to see republicans and Democrats working together for the American people.
Peggy, I like your suggestions for looking at candidates. They are straight-forward. I would add asking, which policy that supports the people of this state/community have you voted for or stood publicly for and when was that? If your children or parents depended solely on Social Security (or any other program) how willing would you be to cut funding for that program? I know most town halls are scripted, but occasionally there are ones where actual members of the community ask questions and hopefully the monitor holds the candidates' feet to the fire, but they are not as common as they should be, particularly at the national and state level. We the People could demand more and have higher expectations for our media if we cared enough.
Ruth, you can go online and get a politician's voting record, but yes, those questions you added should also be asked of new candidates. I oppose those scripted town halls because the candidate can avoid answering questions that make him/her uneasy. Unscripted town halls should be the norm and right there is another thing we need to voice our opinion about!!!
There's only a very few of the GOP and those went too far in exposing their party for what it has become and we're censured for that and I'm not voting for any of them since they will probably vote for other Republicans. It's the Democratic party that does right by the American people and actually cares about them. The GOP is a tool used by the Uber wealthy and corporations as a means to achieve their personal needs. Graft is a tool used by them and it makes a great retirement tax-free for the willing to be corrupted with.
The 1820's political 'spoils system' hasn't changed much. In fact it is worse than ever. Too bad we don't have merit system instead of our 'show me the money system'. Trust. Gotta laugh at that. We have 6 Supreme Court Justices that have been bought and paid for. We have right-wing Billionaires that want to take this country to our knees and turn us into beggers grateful for the leftovers they handout. We have the GQP who puts the 'd' in destruction. Greed is the pain that destroy lives. The body count is high.
Yes, he had been criticized as being a B-rated actor, & he wanted to prove he was a first-rate actor, so he entered politics. And as governor, then president, Reagan gave an Oscar-winning performance, & no one doubted his acting ability after that.
He was a broke ass actor. The Republicans picked him as their idiot tool. They gave him a house. The ranch. They saw that he would turn on his own friends during the McCarthy days. He read the script the Republicans gave him and played the part until he couldn't. And Nancy...
Here is is on display by the duplicity of the largest corporations. Slogans and statements they fear the election of Trump are totally duplicitous.
Can Capitalism be “fixed?”
I do not think so. It is ripe to be written in economic textbooks of the future as yet another failed economic system.
How can you fix a system that was intended to be rigged to favor the rich from its inception?
You cannot for its bedrock principles have nothing to do with proper distribution of wealth, it was built to support wealth inequality and power to be wielded by a privileged class.
What impact is modern capitalism having on democracy?
It is aiding and abetting its transition to Demon-ocracy controlled by Oligarchs. Oligarchs are supporting Trump and Trump supporters. Once quietly and now brazenly they are underrmining and removing government's ability to regulate them and protect the population as a whole.
What to do to give us hope for the future?
Start now to create locally strong economies to combat the self-destructive nature of capitalism for as it sucks purchasing power out of the local economies, there will be no purchasing power left to support the corporations. Be prepared to convert to a system that supports true democracy such as Economic Democracy. Support your local cooperatives and your local businesses and what is left of local manufacturing and retail.
What we need is what THE happiest nations on Earth have: MUCH MORE SOCIALISM! Norway, Denmark and Sweden have a near 100% life satisfaction! Here in 'Murica we WERE at around 45 when Bunkerboy was still failing miserably at "playing a president."
What do THOSE countries have that we "fucking morons" don't? SOCIALISM.
To my limited knowledge, what these smaller Scandinavian countries have is a governance of democracy, but are very socialistic, in how they care, for their citizens. I know that in Finland, the citizens pay relatively high taxes, and in return, get free, medical care, education through college and a full suite of social services. I have been to Finland three times and upon inquiry I have not found anyone that complains about their high tax rate. Instead, they are proud of how their basic necessities are met.
Marc, you cannot be surprised that capitalism uses capital to further its interests. When the US want to have capitalism, the problems is to limit the influence big money has and buys, for instance in politics and media.
What should be done is your stronger point: do something about decentralisation, favour small scale, regulate financing of media and politics.
And do something about the propensity to using violence in the US, because the circulation of weapons endangers the status quo.
I may agree with Professor Reich on many points, but given our current situation I do not think it is possible to save a system that has gone so far over the tipping point towards its its own destruction. It is time to seriously consider alternatives!
We cannot forget that this is the system that has brought us the climate crisis that is killing so many people, animals, and plants across the globe. In Brazil, it was capitalism run amok that permitted and encouraged the clearcutting of the life giving Amazon rainforest.
Prof. Reich basically means well. But at bottom, even though he has been a UC Berkeley professor for decades and is good at pointing out the flaws that have been hard-wired into the American system from before its beginning, at bottom the Professor is still a recovering Dartmouth/Yale Law/Beltway/DNC guy. Though he has confessed in print to second-guessing some of his own moves in DC, he has nonetheless written substack pieces that decry anyone’s daring to say “the system doesn’t work”. He labels this as “cynicism” and “pessimism”. He believes the broken system can repair itself, so get out there and VOTE BLUE! This is a strange and regrettable contradiction in his teaching.
KMS, ad hominem arguments like yours do not advance the discussion. I have not taken it down because I'm sure you mean well, but please in future refrain from attacking my motives or attributing to me words and concepts.
Capitalism is not rotten. Capitalism creates wealth. Our problems lie elsewhere. The success of capitalism requires proper modulation. Think of capitalism as the engine that creates wealth. How our government modulates this engine matters. Modulations include laws about minimum wage, anti-trust, pollution, financial statements, labor, etc. The alternative to capitalism is communism which has proven not to create wealth. Cuba is the best example.
Gerald, you are correct, capitalism does create wealth, but it creates it unequally. As it is currently operating, it creates huge amounts of wealth for a privileged few and saps purchasing power from the many.
Unfortunately, particularly in the United States, the oligarchs have been, and are becoming very effective at removing any modulations that get in the way of accumulating vast amounts of wealth.
Russian communism is obviously a failed system, proven by the fact it has crashed and is now replaced by oligarchy and Kleptocracy. Chinese communism on the other hand has effectively created and concentrated wealth among the privileged few government officials and sanctioned business people, while again taking not only purchasing power, but freedom from its citizens .
My own belief is that with such increasing concentration of wealth, we are headed towards another economic crash and ensuing economic depression. Out of the ruins of the current capitalistic system, is the opportunity to rapidly rebuild our economy, based on local businesses, local manufacturing and locally, owned stores and cooperatives.
So, in the long view, I am very optimistic about our future but in the short term, we are entering a period of difficult times.
I would also add that rampant capitalism in the United States and elsewhere has created the climate catastrophe we are now just entering. When the greed for profit overwhelms any compassion for the suffering of the masses, we must look towards a better system for the future.
Marc, you are right on. What's the difference between Capitalism's wealthy and grifters? Not much. I had Washington Mutual as my mortgage company in 2008. What a fucking nightmare. They doubled our house payment over an 8 month period. I can't afford corporate greed.
Hi Marc, I appreciate your comment. I do not understand how the great wealth of corporate leaders and founders saps the purchasing power of many. This is the theme of Dr. Reich's blog. But assuming there is a cause and effect relationship between corporate CEO total compensation (including stock options) and disenfranchisement of corporate workers (which are about 1/4 of the total work force), a practical remedy I propose is to tax capital gains as ordinary income. I have written by Congressperson to ask him to consider it. For example Mr. Musk has been mentioned as the richest man in the world. I suspect his wealth comes from stock ownership, not earned income. If I am correct, his compensation for his remarkable achievements is due in part to capital gains tax rate on his stock. He earned this compensation. But why should he pay a lower income tax on his stock when he sells it (and realizes his capital gain) than I paid working as a primary care physician (all W-2 wages)?
Another suggestion I made to my Congressman is to forbid a MOC from trading stocks during their time in office. It is an unmitigated conflict of interest. Another suggestion is for States to have open primaries so a majority of voters from all parties can select the two best candidates for a run off election, if no candidate gains more than 50% of the vote in a primary. I recommend this approach for the POTUS election too.
I disagree with Dr. Reich's postulate that capitalism is rotten and is the root cause of our problems. But I appreciate his blog and the opportunity to comment and exchange ideas with thoughtful people like you. Marc.
Gerald, I think all of your suggestions are excellent. However, now with a Supreme Court that is solidly conservative, and bought and paid for by the forces of capitalism, the possibility of implementing these changes is very thin, if possible, at all. we have reached or exceeded certain tipping points in the rampant rise of capitalism, and I’m not sure we have the power, or the political will to claw ourselves back to the pre-Reagan days.
I like hearing your perspective, which comes from a different point of view than most others here (certainly mine), but is consistently offered in civil & thoughtful terms, not confrontational as some others.
Gerald Rogan; I’d like to see how Cuba would do if they didn’t have the millstone of the US embargo around their necks since 1960 or the covert interference of the CIA in their politics. I don’t think using Cuba is a great way make your point for those reasons.
Cuba is an example of how over 60 years of boycotts & sanctions can harm a nation. Still they have a medical system containing first-rate doctors & healthcare, which in some ways is superior to ours while much cheaper, and have done a much better job at conserving resources.
Are you saying the alternative to a capitalist economy is to buy from local businesses and cooperatives? My recent expensive purchases were a new TV, Cell phone, air flight, and internet provider.
Yes, I am saying we have alternatives to shop locally. I purchased my own television from a high-quality thrift store, and it serves me just fine. I purchased my sound bar from a local appliance retailer that is not part of a chain. My Internet provider is a small local company, not centurytel or one of the other large providers that gives such horrible service. There are smaller cell phone companies such as cricket that are not one of the big three, even though at this time they are forced to use the antennas systems of the bigger companies. Air travel, is a different matter, there has been a huge amount of mergers among airlines, so that airline flights are dominated by another big three. However, there are smaller companies that have started up that provide inexpensive air travel to airports that are not always the primary airports in a city, but still provide sufficient services. In my town there are four primary providers of groceries. There is Walmart, Albertsons, a medium sized family owned grocery store and a consumer owned co-op. I purchase all of my groceries from the consumer owned co-op, which is now so successful. It will soon be moving into a new space that is double its current size. We as individuals do have choices that permit us to “vote with our wallets.“ We can exercise those votes every day.
I am not at all perfect in my shopping habits. Because Walmart has put many small local retailers out of business, many of the items I purchase must be through larger Companies that either deliver to my door from a distant city, or arrive by UPS. Occasionally, I have to buy some limited amount of items at Walmart, as there is no longer any independent stores to sell those items. These occasional trips to Walmart provide me with stark examples of how poorly large corporations pay their employees and keep them under the 30 hour work week ceiling so that you and I must pay for the services that these people need in the areas of tax supported healthcare and food supplement programs.
What do I think? Well after that eye opening explanation of a sick version of "Who do we Trust." It certainly isn't lobbyists who represent outside interests that undermine the wellbeing of this country. When you cut yourself one of two things will happen. The wound will heal, or it will become infected. Under normal conditions proper healing of the site is to be expected, however, due to undesirable elements attempting to enter the body through the opening in the skin negative influences will lead to contamination and infection. Our government is very similar to a human body. We have sustained an injury, and it has become infected. The contributing pathogen is none other than Donald Trump. His infectious agents, the lobbyists and corporate enablers, live to promote "Big Business" and as a result they undermine the essence of our country. "Make money not love" is an upside-down form of a reality my Ex-Wife would agree with. Seriously, this country and its government are hooked at the hip, and any attempt to separate these conjoined twins could prove to be fatal. The negative influences that drive Trump's efforts to regain control of this country are fueled by money and the businesses that live to make the stuff. Trump doesn't want to run this country, he endeavors to destroy it.
Donald, I agree with you on your very apt analogies, but I disagree with your last sentence. Trump does want to run this country as his own empire but if he is elected in his own quest for absolute power, he will destroy our current economic system, and do great damage to our democracy.
However, I do not believe that in the end, he has the power to destroy the United States. As I stated earlier, the ensuing crash of our economy and depression, following it will permit new, more creative and egalitarian systems to emerge. I have great faith in the ability of the progressive thinkers and ingenuity of our citizens to rise once again, and create an even better system than was created many decades ago in F.D.R.s New Deal.
His all-seeing eminence just stated, "a President should be given immunity even if his actions cross the line." What a mouth full of human excrement. This guy is obviously in left field shagging flies he couldn't see even with the lights were on. The constitution states, "NO one is above the law" and to make allowances for an authoritarian type figure to come on the scene and send seal team six to kill and pillage is unacceptable behavior even for a common cave troll. The man is setting the stage for his return and the ruination of our country. Sadly, there are enough idiots in this land and in the state of Iowa to give the creep an even chance. I grew up loving a country Donald Trump and his agents want desperately to reshape into something Hitler would be proud of. Donnie Boy the seeds you have planted will wither and die as will you.
I agree with your analogy, Donald, but the infection set in WAY-Y-Y before TFG. As in, probably at least 150 years ago. Worsened by the robber barons of the Gilded Age, then the MIC, then Reagan, and so on.
But there were times in-between, particularly under the Roosevelts & on until Nixon, that we improved considerably & became more egalitarian & beneficial to the ordinary guy. Since Reagan it's been all downhill.
Agree, Jaime, it wasn't a straight downhill plunge. But every time the moneyed interests were backed down, they merely burrowed in, bided their time, and resurfaced as soon as they had a chance to seize more power and wealth. The oligarcical mindset has prevailed more often than not. To a greater or lesser degree, it's the same everywhere, with few exceptions.
Especially lately. It seems the last major trustbusting was over half a century ago when AT&T was partitioned. Just about every merger & takeover, even the hostile kind, gets approved.
Well, that's encouraging. Now let's see what happens to these others. Besides Kroger's attempt to take over Safeway (after Kroger took over Fred Meyer & Safeway merged with Albertson's, 3 of the 4 major stores in my town), there are pending takeovers by Chevron & Exxon, 2 of the most monstrous corporations that already took over Texaco & Mobil, respectively, & have done so much damage to the world.
Who is Trump, or better yet, what makes the man we all love to hate tick. What worthwhile positions does he support? Donald Trump has no solid platform from which to run on anything, in fact all of Trump's positions are fluid at best, they change as the wind blows. He complains about the way Biden is handling the Southern border, the same problem he had for his entire term in office and yet, he did little to stem the flow of illegal immigrants from entering this country. The economy President Biden is dealing with is in large part the reminats that Trump gave birth to while he was running up the national debt. Trump seems to ignore the war his pal Putin has been conducting in his effort to rebuild the old CCCP. Saudi Arabia cut our allotment of oil in half, leading to our elevated gas prices. Republicans blame Biden when the evidence is overwhelming that Trump has more than his middle finger in the mix. His absurd comment that the war in Ukraine could have been negotiated to a peaceful conclusion if he was in office, went by the board as being childish. His Mussolini type antics score no points with the America I grew up to know and love. Trump has absolutely nothing to offer this country that we haven't already seen. He's inapt at being himself let alone trying to pass himself off as being presidential. Given the opportunity, I'll lay even money his shadow would leave him, given the chance. Let's see if he can control himself enough to remain in the courtroom with a judge that has little appreciation for his idiotic behavior.
Actually, Putin hates the old CCCP because it gave autonomy to soviets like Ukraine; he wants to restore the old Russian Empire. As Trump wants to become Emperor of North America, he doesn't ignore Putin; he tries to emulate him.
Saudi Arabia cut oil production at Trump's request.
Maureen--President Biden met with the crown prince who was responsible for a specific journalist's dismemberment. He was a promised a regular shipment of oil in the future, the prince then spoke with Putin and our allotment was subsequently cut in half. What I meant when I said Putin wanted to reestablish the old CCCP, was what you stated concerning old Mother Russia.
According to Reuters, "As the United States pressed Saudi Arabia to end its oil price war with Russia, President Donald Trump gave Saudi leaders an ultimatum.
In an April 2 phone call, Trump told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that unless the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) started cutting oil production, he would be powerless to stop lawmakers from passing legislation to withdraw U.S. troops from the kingdom, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The threat to upend a 75-year strategic alliance, which has not been previously reported, was central to the U.S. pressure campaign that led to a landmark global deal to slash oil supply as demand collapsed in the coronavirus pandemic - scoring a diplomatic victory for the White House.
Maureen--I agree Trump indeed did that but on top of that issue Salman made an agreement with Biden to supply us with a specific number of barrels per day. Putin entered the day and spoke with Salman and that amount was reduced by half. The fist pump did nothing but cause embarrassment. Biden made up for the loss by tapping into the strategic oil reserve to the tune of 1,000,000 barrels per day.
Trump was a major reason for the higher oil prices & for the increased friendliness between Putin & MBS at the expense of American & European consumers .
It's about as silly and ridiculous as the MAGA slogan. As we well know, there isn't a damn thing about MAGA that even comes close to Making America Great Again.
No, the GQP's anti-Americaness goes back to Nixon & his "Southern Strategy" (unless, of course, one considers racism and inequality the quintessence of Americanism--sadly, there is an argument to be made for that).
Following a failed annual summit in Davos on the theme of “Rebuilding Trust,” World Economic Forum Chair Klaus Schwab sat down with American psychotherapist and TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw to address his trust issues with the public.
Jaime Ramirez ; The bought and paid for 'Supreme Court' decided that Corporations are People. So they can legally say "Government of, by and for the people" and claim that they are 'honest'! So we can "trust them"...Not!
Jaime Ramirez ; It would be more clever to figure out how to get the traitors out of government and get rid of Citizens United with all that dirty money that buys up our representation, and steals our votes for the Common Good!. They have even blocked debates on voting rights!! Talk about not supporting our Constitution!
Valid observations; Davos could do so much to restore faith for the future, if only WEF would stand with the mission it claims to be aiming for; stakeholders economy to bring about a safe future. A few years ago one invited speaker dared to speak up and suggest that the companies started paying tax and CEO's should reduce their salaries to bring about a fairer future as well as more prosperous future. Right now entrepreneurs and financial institutions are not investing in the economy but extracting from the economy. Thank you Robert Reich for using your knowledge, experience and influence to keep shining th light on this. : - )
I think you’re referring to Rutger Bregman who pointed out that corporations and the wealthy do not pay their fair share of taxes. There’s a famous clip where Tucker Carlson is interviewing him and Bregman just skewers an unprepared Carlson.
Don't forget how many of these same companies used the spike in inflation later that same year to blatantly profiteer, jacking up prices way beyond their increased costs...which also ultimately helps Trump.
It looks as though the business leaders are afraid of the possibility of anti-monopoly and pro-Union legislation if Democrats win back both Houses. Which is why Congressional seats coming up for election are just as much a priority as the White House.
Good sentiment. Of course, Marcus Aurelius was assassinated, you know! I guess that just shows that not being in the ranks of the insane doesn't address what happens if you're in the >midst< of those ranks!
I have made it my mission to stop bankrolling these companies with my money. I do not shop at the big box stores anymore. I like Aldi's, Ollie's, and Sav-a-Lot. I buy my clothes at Goodwill, Salvation Army and Thrift stores. If I need a piece of furniture, I check out used furniture or the groups online like Bookoo. I will not help these large corporations tear my country apart to fill their coffers! I am sick of the platitudes spewed out by them 'we want to rebuild trust'! That is so laughable!! These richy rich honestly think that American citizens are stupid!! Many like myself are waking up to how they operate. They lie, price gouge, find ways to raise the price on cheap goods that won't last long enough to get them paid off!! Until America wakes up and confronts this problem head on, we will never get anywhere!! The rich will (actually already have) take over and we will be treated as peasants there only to please them. They have no regard at all for the American citizen. They use us to keep their corporations running. We are expendable in their eyes. No, I will NOT fund their agenda!!
Dr. Reich would never try to sell us on anything, least of all cryptocurrency, & he wouldn't tell us to contact him on Telegram. I doubt he's ever gone there. I certainly havn't & don't intend to.
These corporations are hypocrites. They promised not to bankroll insurrectionists yet continue to do so. Not surprised to see the 5 major categories include pharmaceuticals, financials, and fossil fuels. The Congressmen they support will support their interests.
It’s going to take the patriotic banding together of a true HUMAN Citizens United to overcome the power of the Corporate Citizens United Cabol that was created by SCOTUS! The first thing that has to take place is to send a massive majority of Democrats to both the House and Senate, retain the Presidency, then reform the SCOTUS!
Lincoln, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."
So they, at Davos, acknowledge there is a trust problem? The U.S. economy is based on trust in the dollar, here and around the world.
But you can’t fool all of the people all of the time!”
...this feels somewhat aspirational presently.
We’re going to have to resurrect the 3 Musketeers to deal with this threat and champion their motto...
“One for all and all for one.”
Clearly our economic system needs to be revamped because its corruption destroys trust and concentrates wealth which destroys the commonwealth necessary for democracy to thrive.
First, we need to re-establish the trifecta that Biden came in on. That means beating Trump again, flipping five seats in the House and holding/expanding the Senate majority.
Beating Trump: We’ve done it before so it’s doable...we need to press the 14th Amendment wherever we can, we need to prosecute and win at least 1 of the 91 counts! I’m guessing that’s also doable.
Every Dem running for the House or Senate needs to invoke codify Roe V Wad, Federal minimum wage of $15.00 / hour, increase Social Security benefits at expense of corporations and the Uber-rich, a fully funded IRS, Medicare for all, and a full scale war on climate change.
Then once in place, overturn Citizens United, regulate the Supreme Court with a code of ethics and oversight. Codify the regulatory powers of government agencies and institute a Wealth Tax that funds free education all the way through college.
End fossil fuels and admit that immigration legislation is impossible.
Larry: one way to improve Congress is to sue to remove the 147 election deniers who voted against certifying Biden's win, violating their oaths of office by refusing to support the Constitution. They have disqualified themselves and should be removed from their seats, then kept off any ballot in perpetuity.
Dimwits Economics Forum is more like it. How great do they think America's Dictatorship will be for them? Democracy helped build their wealth. Do they really think they will all be winners? That they will be beyond the wrath of a dictator? Dimwits in Davos.
This probably happens all the time but I just signed up for the top plan it sure seems like weirdness follows me around. I signed up cause I'm interested in Political Science PhD and thought it would be a way to get to know you during office hours but the home page didn't say it was just an exclusive post and poll I thought it would be Zoom sounds more like an actual office hour
Robert Reich ; Thank you for this! Knowledge is power! This problem of having insurrectionist supporting, big lie pushing, traitors to our self rule being our representatives has got to be exposed! this is the beginning of part of the solution! naming names. there are now a few more businesses I won't support! I will push for those who are in seats of government (and the courts) to be removed from their jobs! They are disabled if they have taken oaths of office! they are disqualified!
"Rebuilding Trust" is a silly slogan. I'm sure I'm not the only one who didn't trust them in the first place. You can't RE-build what was never there.
It's as slimy and insincere as it possibly can be.
The right thing to do here is to identify those corporations and begin to boycott them for participating in DAVOS. Especially since DAVOS is a threat to our livelihood: https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/who-are-the-bad-guys
Franklin, I feel the right thing to do is boycott all of them. We need to get back to relying on each other. Neighbor helping neighbor, co-ops, u-pick farms, and selling what we make to one another. We need artisans back in business and we need to move away from corporations and their greed.
Good thought, but hard to do.
No it isn’t. Just do it. Make it the priority. Do it now. I will never take my grandkids to another McDonalds. I will spread the information. Every movement starts small and grows!
Lila, I agree with you completely. In fact. starting small and taking action will be our future redemption. Never give up!
My grandchildrens’ parents go-to “restaurant “ is McDonald’s. And, of course, the kids love the high calorie, low value food. So, it is hard, especially when they are all around. I pledge to try.
It’s a start — maybe sit with the lists Prof. Reich provided and make our own list of places we will TRY to avoid {if we can even know all the rands represented by these corporations}.
But, as you say, make a start, and make an effort …
"We do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard." -JFK
Margaret, ; It is hard to do, but continuing on our current unsustainable path is much worse!
Margaret, it will be hard to do. The generations coming up are use to just running to a box store to satisfy their need for something. It is important for the older generation to show them how they are hurting themselves by continuing to feed these large corporations.
Yes, but some like Infinity have monopolies of areas and the users have no other options. That is my point. I know someone who lives in a trailer and has Infinity for her phone and internet. There is no other carrier.
Peggy, the problem is that the older generations participate in the fast food and other conveniences too. There are no easy answers to this. One step would be to hold corporations accountable, force them to pay their fair share of taxes, to actively positively participate in the communities where they exist, even have CEOs and the other officials live in the communities near where their factories/stores/plants are located. I bet there would be some improvements if they had to breathe the polluted air, smell the fumes, and drink the water the residents there do every day. A wealth tax also would be good, a luck tax that would let us all realize that so much of their wealth is from luck so they can contribute to the luck of others.
Peggy Freeman ; It can be a teachable moment. Just looking at the ingredient list and calorie counts is an education.
I am sending this article and the list to my daughter. I know she and her friends will boycott all of them. No more MacD's, Home Depot etc for me
Good point Peggy. Many boomers taught their children the run to the box store to satisfy their needs. Let’s blame the generations coming up and wash our older hands of it!
Good thoughts, put into action are the first step to rebuild our democracy and give us a democratic economy.
Peggy - YES!!!! and Let's start a companion app to connect people to the alternatives? If there was an app to identify the deniers, PAC's, and other buggers they donate to- why couldn't we create a companion app to offer the good alternatives in your area? Rather than use ahem... (meta, etc...) an independent app could organize resources by states, counties. towns, and communities. We could locally amplify and connect all our options and demonstrate the powerful force of the people!!! Anyone else up for that? Flood them with thousands of notices that we're taking our $$$ elsewhere until they support democracy.
Maybe it could also be set it up so that when you sign up - you can send a message right to the companies corporate website with both a review message that is posted and also send it to their leadership: For example Home Depot executives: Dear Home Depot leaders - I've enjoyed shopping at your store, BUT I am officially boycotting your stores until you stop funding election deniers in the US. Here's the list. Your corporation has a choice. My choice as your former customer is to support the integrity of our democracy - rather than spend another $ at your stores until this changes. Sincerely, Ms. Smith, aka the "Defund Election Deniers" - Defend Democracy team. P.S. This is so important - I am telling ALL my friends!
I'm going to contact the app creators above to see how we could add a companion app! Maybe Inequality media or Robert can connect us to students or others who can create it??? Any other ideas??? Magic Girl
Oh my goodness, Magicgirl!! I got goosebumps reading your reply. This is most excellent!! I am not tech savvy; however, I would most definitely use that app and tell all of my friends (they aren't tech savvy either) about it and we will pass it on and on and on!! Here comes that groundswell of American voices!! Thank you!!
You have to be more selective. Someone has to organize it. Look for those most vulnerable where the public can made easy alternative choices. You want to pick on one or a small number, damage them and make other companies take notice.
That's a good idea, Steve. How do you organize it? The easy alternative choices I mentioned earlier like Aldi's, Sav-a-Lot, vegetable stands, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, u-pick farms, and thrift stores are good choices. Which one or small number do we need to start with?
Have you read about the HUGE salaries that Goodwill execs get? Obscene!
Peggy Freeman ; You have just listed many of the places where my daughter shops, Aldi's is her favorite! I used to take her to tag sales, vegetable stands, the local pick your own and farm stands , and that is where she shops now. She makes her own and her daughter's clothing. Goes to Goodwill and other thrift stores, like Salvation Army. she wants to grow some of her own food, and raise chickens.
https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/retailers/top-10-boycotts
Do boycotts work ? well it depends. Anheiser Bush (now InBev) has been stung by the customer base turned off by it's LQBTQ support if I recall. I give right wing media credit for that. and not sure leftists can do that as well as they did. I also don't know whether that effect on Bud still exists. Sometimes boycotts, and compensatory "buycotts" , have transient effects. I think the boycott of South Africa for apartheid was effective but haven't verified that. If I ever buy from Amazon it's absolutely the last choice available for a critically needed item. I avoid China but that's not easy. But you don't have to go to Home Depot or Hobby Lobby when there are other choices.
Find some websites where people are already doing this.
Perhaps, Peggy, you could try those suggestions you make and report back with answers! Thanks!
Peggy, i have already boycotted all of those companies that Mr. Reich has listed on this post for over 2 years now. I already knew about most of them and their support for those election deniers. That Arthur Blank SOB that is CEO of Home Depot is one of those i despise the most. He also owns the Atlanta Falcons NFL football team. I actually despise all of those corporations that Mr. Reich has listed on this post.
Some can be found on Etsy. I sell my handmade items there and there are many more like me. Almost anything handmade can be found there. No corporations involved in my work I do it all myself.
Welcome back, artisans!! I do shop on Etsy. Fantastic items to be found. Way to go, Beth!!
Etsy is now owned by a Private Equity LLC, you know.. the enemy.
Where do your raw materials or supplies come from?
Wherever the fabric is made I have a large supply right now that I am not looking to buy any just use what I have. But there is no way to afford the $12+ dollars a yard that fabric that is dyed here in the states but still made overseas is affordable. Some supplies used to be made here in the states but I don't think that any are these days. My cutting and sewing is my own work. You can see the different things in the stores: www.kraftykats.etsy.com, (the only work not mine are the baby blankets that are knitted my mother did those the rest are my work). wwwtheshabbychenillekat.etsy.com, and www.simplyjudaica.etsy.com
Etsy sold out to a Private Equity LLC.
Yes! It may be difficult, due to webs of business connections, but we do our best, keep the list available, and refer to it before before any business interaction. I also will do my best to contact any business I am boycotting, and politely tell them why I avoid them. Time consuming and difficult to execute perfectly, but best efforts can still make an impact.
I agree , it does little good to boycott without informing them of their sin.
Yes, stealing is stealing. Supporting theft deliberately is the same thing.
Now that's what I'm talking about, Margaret!! Keep at them and let them know why. It is time consuming but if they hear from a lot of us, it might make a difference!!
As others are saying here, it's hard to do. However, we may find that socioeconomic and other harsh pressures may force the reluctant into those kinds of local, smaller enterprises because previous practices will no longer be as viable.
I agree, Peggy!
-Bob
Re we need to work, produce, and sell to each other. A plan to have children and grandchildren sweeping floors, and canning vegetables for what-they-can-get, purchase used cloths and towels. Homemade paper and pens, quills. Efficiencies from mass production floats all boats. Old-fashioned methods are not coming back again, except for a half-day’s pay for a jar of jam, or a month’s pay for a bookshelf. Anti mass production, anti corporation is available--price, a walk in the bush. In the 70s a couple, living with several children in a cave, was at the laundromat--at least she and children were. He was probably at the hardware store, purchasing manufactured tools, or out for a beer.
No one's going to boycott anything. We're all to damned lazy and stuck in our habits.
I have, for 2 years. I don't buy from those companies listed on this post any longer.
Is there a phone service not on the list?
I'm sorry, Michael, what list?
How about boycotting the fossil fuel industry where possible? For instance, If you need to buy a car, do not buy a plain gas car. At least get a hybrid. Or a plug-in hybrid, or an EV.
For instance, if you need to 'fix' your home heating, remove the gas and air ducted junk, and get a mini-split heat pump system instead. If you need a new stove, make it electric. They even have heat pump clothes dryers now, but maybe they are too new to recommend yet.
Tired of paying for electricity? Maybe you have a good roof for solar. Do what you can.
Boycotts have so little effect nowadays as to make them impracticable at best. Large companies have put so many small businesses out of business that most Americans have no alternative. DAVOS exists because they know that. DAVOS exists because they have the money and resources to get what they want - and we do not. Boycotts are not the answer - a responsible, representative Congress is.
When will they be responsible?
When will they be responsible? That's like asking when Godot will arive.
Power comes with organization. Join organization promoting your values!
Typical two faced corporations. There the invisible pickpockets.
Friends, this isn't me. It's a troll. I'm in contact with substack to get rid of it.
This might be a hack by a troll, has anyone dealt with a troll posing as another person? I can’t see RR inviting anyone for “massive crypto earnings.”
Thanks, Marc. It is indeed a troll. I'm hoping substack can help me stop this sort of stuff.
I'm pretty sure it's a hack. Last week there was another repeated "message" from Robert Reich in the comments. I was a little curious why he didn't comment to disregard. It clearly was not him.
I just sent an email to Inequality Media to inform them. If I had a phone number, I would certainly have called them.
Is that really you Robert, pushing crypto. Seems as someone has spoofed you.
Lee, of course not. I'm trying to get substack to take this troll down.
Hi Robert, I just got an email "from you", saying that you replied to a comment I made, but the link was dead, didn't take me to "your comment", but DID have a link pushing crypto. How about leaving the guys handle up with a troll alert, so that we'll know who he is in future posts?
I'll trust Davos participants the day they resolve:
1. Corporations have no role in democracy or government, and
2. The corporate role in society is to provide well-regulated - by democratically elected government - goods & services while providing union jobs paid at a living wage.
PERIOD!
Please reread Reich's article. As you'll see, their "resolves" mean nothing.
What's needed is a government that FORCES them to do this. I'm not holding my breath.
Yes, It's been a long journey with every time they have passed legislation that undermined our Democracy and caused ever more problems for the health and well being of the American people. It has taken over 40 years since Reagan began the decline and Trump to finish the job till now when ignorance amongst the electorate reigns supreme and the work continues and it doesn't look good for many.
G. Wayne, there may be some in the electorate that are ignorant but not all. I have spoken with my friends about selecting the right candidates in the election. These are things that we all agree on. 1. Research and KNOW the candidates. 2. Does the candidate actually have a plan or agenda that he/she will discuss when campaigning. 3. If the candidate continues to repeat platitudes and sayings like 'I'm going to work for you', 'I will listen to your concerns', 'Together we will make a difference', and other such stupid statements, then that candidate is NOT for you. 4. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If the candidate laughs at you, gets prickly with you, he/she is NOT for you. When the electorate does these things, we will be able to weed out those people running for office to profit off of it. We will begin to elect people that will honestly work for their constituency.
Peggy, I have grown so cynical. There is truth to what you say, but that vetting may just weed out the candidates who aren’t skilled at playing the game. The sociopaths are very often extremely charming. They know the act. And then there’s the pressures on the newly-elected to join the Good Old Boys. The GOBs know how to corrupt - talking up the Bills that their swell donors want, introducing them to the players...... They are the Fox News of the Capital, repeating their lies, including the newbie in the power lunches and after-session drinks. Corrupt before...corrupt afterwards.
I don’t like believing this. And I know there are exceptions -- but not enough of them. Until Citizens United is in the dustbin of history, our boycotts can never be enough.
I agree, Marge, that Citizens United must be done away with. We simply need to make a start. Once that start has begun, there will be a huge ground swell of Americans taking back their country from the greedy rich. There is campaigning and petitions to end Citizens United and we must continue to push that campaign. As far as weeding out the candidates, we must be diligent and press them for transparency. If they do get elected and succumb to the siren song of corruption, they need to be voted out the next election. That is basically all I can do is use my voice and vote.
Marge Wherley : I wonder what Bernie Sanders would advise ? He would have an idea of what qualities to look for in a candidate. I would think. Or simply might make reccommendations, for who is doing a good job. Other progressives may have ideas. Too.
Sometimes they make it easy to know they're NOT for you:
1) Two Republican congressmen (both election deniers) claim that UFOs are angels sent by God. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-12974671/Two-Republican-Congressmen-claim-UFOs-angels-sent-GOD-say-sightings-consistent-scriptures-Bible.html.
2) Nikki Haley claims that the "US has never been a racist country." https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/16/politics/nikki-haley-says-us-not-racist-country/index.html
You can't make this stuff up!
People who believe in a religion are susceptible to other bizarre beliefs. Even if they conflict with their religion.
Jaime Ramirez : Native 'Americans' thought the white ones in the Nina. The Pinta and the Santa Maria were looked upon as higher beings, or spirits. Little did they know....
Well, that's interesting! It's really kind of funny, too!
Peggy Freeman: Your statement "if the candidate laughs at you" caused me to remember an incident in what may have been the 2016 campaign when a young female college student asked trump a question and the horrible way he answered her and how Obama, years earlier, treated a young female college student when she asked Obama a question. After seeing trump's response, I thought that no parent would vote for trump, that no parent would want their young daughter to be so disrespectfully and unkindly treated. I was wrong; parents did vote for trump. So, I like your thought: "if the candidate laughs at you, he is not for you." It is so true.
Thank you, Barbara. I feel we must make these candidates understand that they would be working for us, not uber rich. Also, if a candidate is disrespectful and unkind to a potential voter, it should be a red flag to anyone not to even consider that candidate. I want candidates to discuss what they intend to do if elected. I don't want to hear them tear down the other party and scream woke, woke, woke. I want to know where they stand on actual issues that resonate with their constituents. I especially want to hear any candidate who expects my vote to say loud and clear that they will work across the aisle to get bipartisan legislation done. I am tired of the 'my way or nothing' attitude in Congress nowadays. I want to see republicans and Democrats working together for the American people.
Peggy, I like your suggestions for looking at candidates. They are straight-forward. I would add asking, which policy that supports the people of this state/community have you voted for or stood publicly for and when was that? If your children or parents depended solely on Social Security (or any other program) how willing would you be to cut funding for that program? I know most town halls are scripted, but occasionally there are ones where actual members of the community ask questions and hopefully the monitor holds the candidates' feet to the fire, but they are not as common as they should be, particularly at the national and state level. We the People could demand more and have higher expectations for our media if we cared enough.
Ruth, you can go online and get a politician's voting record, but yes, those questions you added should also be asked of new candidates. I oppose those scripted town halls because the candidate can avoid answering questions that make him/her uneasy. Unscripted town halls should be the norm and right there is another thing we need to voice our opinion about!!!
There's only a very few of the GOP and those went too far in exposing their party for what it has become and we're censured for that and I'm not voting for any of them since they will probably vote for other Republicans. It's the Democratic party that does right by the American people and actually cares about them. The GOP is a tool used by the Uber wealthy and corporations as a means to achieve their personal needs. Graft is a tool used by them and it makes a great retirement tax-free for the willing to be corrupted with.
TROLL!
The 1820's political 'spoils system' hasn't changed much. In fact it is worse than ever. Too bad we don't have merit system instead of our 'show me the money system'. Trust. Gotta laugh at that. We have 6 Supreme Court Justices that have been bought and paid for. We have right-wing Billionaires that want to take this country to our knees and turn us into beggers grateful for the leftovers they handout. We have the GQP who puts the 'd' in destruction. Greed is the pain that destroy lives. The body count is high.
Amen!
TROLL!
WTF?? I don't think you're Mr. Reich. Telegraph gave it away. A great place to get phished.
Reagan. The grinning idiot that embraced Supply Side Economics.
Being President was his biggest acting job of his entire career.
Arthur Miller: Politics and the Art of Acting.
The Fired Apprentice is acting his whole life till this moment.
Yes, he had been criticized as being a B-rated actor, & he wanted to prove he was a first-rate actor, so he entered politics. And as governor, then president, Reagan gave an Oscar-winning performance, & no one doubted his acting ability after that.
He was a broke ass actor. The Republicans picked him as their idiot tool. They gave him a house. The ranch. They saw that he would turn on his own friends during the McCarthy days. He read the script the Republicans gave him and played the part until he couldn't. And Nancy...
TROLL!
I'd say it was Nixon who began the decline.
TROLL!
TROLL!
Why is capitalism so Rotten?
Here is is on display by the duplicity of the largest corporations. Slogans and statements they fear the election of Trump are totally duplicitous.
Can Capitalism be “fixed?”
I do not think so. It is ripe to be written in economic textbooks of the future as yet another failed economic system.
How can you fix a system that was intended to be rigged to favor the rich from its inception?
You cannot for its bedrock principles have nothing to do with proper distribution of wealth, it was built to support wealth inequality and power to be wielded by a privileged class.
What impact is modern capitalism having on democracy?
It is aiding and abetting its transition to Demon-ocracy controlled by Oligarchs. Oligarchs are supporting Trump and Trump supporters. Once quietly and now brazenly they are underrmining and removing government's ability to regulate them and protect the population as a whole.
What to do to give us hope for the future?
Start now to create locally strong economies to combat the self-destructive nature of capitalism for as it sucks purchasing power out of the local economies, there will be no purchasing power left to support the corporations. Be prepared to convert to a system that supports true democracy such as Economic Democracy. Support your local cooperatives and your local businesses and what is left of local manufacturing and retail.
What we need is what THE happiest nations on Earth have: MUCH MORE SOCIALISM! Norway, Denmark and Sweden have a near 100% life satisfaction! Here in 'Murica we WERE at around 45 when Bunkerboy was still failing miserably at "playing a president."
What do THOSE countries have that we "fucking morons" don't? SOCIALISM.
To my limited knowledge, what these smaller Scandinavian countries have is a governance of democracy, but are very socialistic, in how they care, for their citizens. I know that in Finland, the citizens pay relatively high taxes, and in return, get free, medical care, education through college and a full suite of social services. I have been to Finland three times and upon inquiry I have not found anyone that complains about their high tax rate. Instead, they are proud of how their basic necessities are met.
TROLL!
Marc, you cannot be surprised that capitalism uses capital to further its interests. When the US want to have capitalism, the problems is to limit the influence big money has and buys, for instance in politics and media.
What should be done is your stronger point: do something about decentralisation, favour small scale, regulate financing of media and politics.
And do something about the propensity to using violence in the US, because the circulation of weapons endangers the status quo.
TROLL!
Capitalism is just a de-centralized form of feudalism.
You should read "Saving Capitalism" For the many not the few by the same guy your following now - Robert Reich
I may agree with Professor Reich on many points, but given our current situation I do not think it is possible to save a system that has gone so far over the tipping point towards its its own destruction. It is time to seriously consider alternatives!
We cannot forget that this is the system that has brought us the climate crisis that is killing so many people, animals, and plants across the globe. In Brazil, it was capitalism run amok that permitted and encouraged the clearcutting of the life giving Amazon rainforest.
Soooo, you did or did not read the book?
Prof. Reich basically means well. But at bottom, even though he has been a UC Berkeley professor for decades and is good at pointing out the flaws that have been hard-wired into the American system from before its beginning, at bottom the Professor is still a recovering Dartmouth/Yale Law/Beltway/DNC guy. Though he has confessed in print to second-guessing some of his own moves in DC, he has nonetheless written substack pieces that decry anyone’s daring to say “the system doesn’t work”. He labels this as “cynicism” and “pessimism”. He believes the broken system can repair itself, so get out there and VOTE BLUE! This is a strange and regrettable contradiction in his teaching.
KMS, ad hominem arguments like yours do not advance the discussion. I have not taken it down because I'm sure you mean well, but please in future refrain from attacking my motives or attributing to me words and concepts.
So you did or did not read the aforementioned book?
TROLL!
Capitalism is not rotten. Capitalism creates wealth. Our problems lie elsewhere. The success of capitalism requires proper modulation. Think of capitalism as the engine that creates wealth. How our government modulates this engine matters. Modulations include laws about minimum wage, anti-trust, pollution, financial statements, labor, etc. The alternative to capitalism is communism which has proven not to create wealth. Cuba is the best example.
Gerald, you are correct, capitalism does create wealth, but it creates it unequally. As it is currently operating, it creates huge amounts of wealth for a privileged few and saps purchasing power from the many.
Unfortunately, particularly in the United States, the oligarchs have been, and are becoming very effective at removing any modulations that get in the way of accumulating vast amounts of wealth.
Russian communism is obviously a failed system, proven by the fact it has crashed and is now replaced by oligarchy and Kleptocracy. Chinese communism on the other hand has effectively created and concentrated wealth among the privileged few government officials and sanctioned business people, while again taking not only purchasing power, but freedom from its citizens .
My own belief is that with such increasing concentration of wealth, we are headed towards another economic crash and ensuing economic depression. Out of the ruins of the current capitalistic system, is the opportunity to rapidly rebuild our economy, based on local businesses, local manufacturing and locally, owned stores and cooperatives.
So, in the long view, I am very optimistic about our future but in the short term, we are entering a period of difficult times.
I would also add that rampant capitalism in the United States and elsewhere has created the climate catastrophe we are now just entering. When the greed for profit overwhelms any compassion for the suffering of the masses, we must look towards a better system for the future.
Marc, you are right on. What's the difference between Capitalism's wealthy and grifters? Not much. I had Washington Mutual as my mortgage company in 2008. What a fucking nightmare. They doubled our house payment over an 8 month period. I can't afford corporate greed.
Hi Marc, I appreciate your comment. I do not understand how the great wealth of corporate leaders and founders saps the purchasing power of many. This is the theme of Dr. Reich's blog. But assuming there is a cause and effect relationship between corporate CEO total compensation (including stock options) and disenfranchisement of corporate workers (which are about 1/4 of the total work force), a practical remedy I propose is to tax capital gains as ordinary income. I have written by Congressperson to ask him to consider it. For example Mr. Musk has been mentioned as the richest man in the world. I suspect his wealth comes from stock ownership, not earned income. If I am correct, his compensation for his remarkable achievements is due in part to capital gains tax rate on his stock. He earned this compensation. But why should he pay a lower income tax on his stock when he sells it (and realizes his capital gain) than I paid working as a primary care physician (all W-2 wages)?
Another suggestion I made to my Congressman is to forbid a MOC from trading stocks during their time in office. It is an unmitigated conflict of interest. Another suggestion is for States to have open primaries so a majority of voters from all parties can select the two best candidates for a run off election, if no candidate gains more than 50% of the vote in a primary. I recommend this approach for the POTUS election too.
I disagree with Dr. Reich's postulate that capitalism is rotten and is the root cause of our problems. But I appreciate his blog and the opportunity to comment and exchange ideas with thoughtful people like you. Marc.
Gerald, I think all of your suggestions are excellent. However, now with a Supreme Court that is solidly conservative, and bought and paid for by the forces of capitalism, the possibility of implementing these changes is very thin, if possible, at all. we have reached or exceeded certain tipping points in the rampant rise of capitalism, and I’m not sure we have the power, or the political will to claw ourselves back to the pre-Reagan days.
I like hearing your perspective, which comes from a different point of view than most others here (certainly mine), but is consistently offered in civil & thoughtful terms, not confrontational as some others.
If it were regulated, it would function more fairly and equitably for the majority.
After all, the "Free Market" is only free to those that own them!
Ergo, why billionaires are so few, yet own the world!
I don't understand your comment or logic Can you clarify?
I suggest you confer with Professor Reich, a veritable expert on economics and oligarchs!
He liked my comment.
Gerald Rogan; I’d like to see how Cuba would do if they didn’t have the millstone of the US embargo around their necks since 1960 or the covert interference of the CIA in their politics. I don’t think using Cuba is a great way make your point for those reasons.
Cuba is an example of how over 60 years of boycotts & sanctions can harm a nation. Still they have a medical system containing first-rate doctors & healthcare, which in some ways is superior to ours while much cheaper, and have done a much better job at conserving resources.
I think capitalism can be checked if highly regulated & given heavy doses of democratic socialism.
Are you saying the alternative to a capitalist economy is to buy from local businesses and cooperatives? My recent expensive purchases were a new TV, Cell phone, air flight, and internet provider.
Yes, I am saying we have alternatives to shop locally. I purchased my own television from a high-quality thrift store, and it serves me just fine. I purchased my sound bar from a local appliance retailer that is not part of a chain. My Internet provider is a small local company, not centurytel or one of the other large providers that gives such horrible service. There are smaller cell phone companies such as cricket that are not one of the big three, even though at this time they are forced to use the antennas systems of the bigger companies. Air travel, is a different matter, there has been a huge amount of mergers among airlines, so that airline flights are dominated by another big three. However, there are smaller companies that have started up that provide inexpensive air travel to airports that are not always the primary airports in a city, but still provide sufficient services. In my town there are four primary providers of groceries. There is Walmart, Albertsons, a medium sized family owned grocery store and a consumer owned co-op. I purchase all of my groceries from the consumer owned co-op, which is now so successful. It will soon be moving into a new space that is double its current size. We as individuals do have choices that permit us to “vote with our wallets.“ We can exercise those votes every day.
I am not at all perfect in my shopping habits. Because Walmart has put many small local retailers out of business, many of the items I purchase must be through larger Companies that either deliver to my door from a distant city, or arrive by UPS. Occasionally, I have to buy some limited amount of items at Walmart, as there is no longer any independent stores to sell those items. These occasional trips to Walmart provide me with stark examples of how poorly large corporations pay their employees and keep them under the 30 hour work week ceiling so that you and I must pay for the services that these people need in the areas of tax supported healthcare and food supplement programs.
Good points. Thanks for your comment Marc.
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Are we sure they're not talking about trusts busted through "trust busting" ‽ (and other oxymorons!)
What do I think? Well after that eye opening explanation of a sick version of "Who do we Trust." It certainly isn't lobbyists who represent outside interests that undermine the wellbeing of this country. When you cut yourself one of two things will happen. The wound will heal, or it will become infected. Under normal conditions proper healing of the site is to be expected, however, due to undesirable elements attempting to enter the body through the opening in the skin negative influences will lead to contamination and infection. Our government is very similar to a human body. We have sustained an injury, and it has become infected. The contributing pathogen is none other than Donald Trump. His infectious agents, the lobbyists and corporate enablers, live to promote "Big Business" and as a result they undermine the essence of our country. "Make money not love" is an upside-down form of a reality my Ex-Wife would agree with. Seriously, this country and its government are hooked at the hip, and any attempt to separate these conjoined twins could prove to be fatal. The negative influences that drive Trump's efforts to regain control of this country are fueled by money and the businesses that live to make the stuff. Trump doesn't want to run this country, he endeavors to destroy it.
Donald, I agree with you on your very apt analogies, but I disagree with your last sentence. Trump does want to run this country as his own empire but if he is elected in his own quest for absolute power, he will destroy our current economic system, and do great damage to our democracy.
However, I do not believe that in the end, he has the power to destroy the United States. As I stated earlier, the ensuing crash of our economy and depression, following it will permit new, more creative and egalitarian systems to emerge. I have great faith in the ability of the progressive thinkers and ingenuity of our citizens to rise once again, and create an even better system than was created many decades ago in F.D.R.s New Deal.
His all-seeing eminence just stated, "a President should be given immunity even if his actions cross the line." What a mouth full of human excrement. This guy is obviously in left field shagging flies he couldn't see even with the lights were on. The constitution states, "NO one is above the law" and to make allowances for an authoritarian type figure to come on the scene and send seal team six to kill and pillage is unacceptable behavior even for a common cave troll. The man is setting the stage for his return and the ruination of our country. Sadly, there are enough idiots in this land and in the state of Iowa to give the creep an even chance. I grew up loving a country Donald Trump and his agents want desperately to reshape into something Hitler would be proud of. Donnie Boy the seeds you have planted will wither and die as will you.
I agree with your analogy, Donald, but the infection set in WAY-Y-Y before TFG. As in, probably at least 150 years ago. Worsened by the robber barons of the Gilded Age, then the MIC, then Reagan, and so on.
But there were times in-between, particularly under the Roosevelts & on until Nixon, that we improved considerably & became more egalitarian & beneficial to the ordinary guy. Since Reagan it's been all downhill.
Agree, Jaime, it wasn't a straight downhill plunge. But every time the moneyed interests were backed down, they merely burrowed in, bided their time, and resurfaced as soon as they had a chance to seize more power and wealth. The oligarcical mindset has prevailed more often than not. To a greater or lesser degree, it's the same everywhere, with few exceptions.
Denise--You're right buy lately I've become a bit near-sighted.
😄
All too likely, though there hasn't been enough of that.
Especially lately. It seems the last major trustbusting was over half a century ago when AT&T was partitioned. Just about every merger & takeover, even the hostile kind, gets approved.
Take heart! Today, JetBlue was denied permission to buy Spirit Airlines.
Well, that's encouraging. Now let's see what happens to these others. Besides Kroger's attempt to take over Safeway (after Kroger took over Fred Meyer & Safeway merged with Albertson's, 3 of the 4 major stores in my town), there are pending takeovers by Chevron & Exxon, 2 of the most monstrous corporations that already took over Texaco & Mobil, respectively, & have done so much damage to the world.
Re-building trust is code for let's cover up corporate exploitation of the public using lies and media deceptions.
The man--
Donald Hodgins <silencenotbad@gmail.com>
9:50 AM (2 minutes ago)
to 360, Kimberly, Robert, Dan
Who is Trump, or better yet, what makes the man we all love to hate tick. What worthwhile positions does he support? Donald Trump has no solid platform from which to run on anything, in fact all of Trump's positions are fluid at best, they change as the wind blows. He complains about the way Biden is handling the Southern border, the same problem he had for his entire term in office and yet, he did little to stem the flow of illegal immigrants from entering this country. The economy President Biden is dealing with is in large part the reminats that Trump gave birth to while he was running up the national debt. Trump seems to ignore the war his pal Putin has been conducting in his effort to rebuild the old CCCP. Saudi Arabia cut our allotment of oil in half, leading to our elevated gas prices. Republicans blame Biden when the evidence is overwhelming that Trump has more than his middle finger in the mix. His absurd comment that the war in Ukraine could have been negotiated to a peaceful conclusion if he was in office, went by the board as being childish. His Mussolini type antics score no points with the America I grew up to know and love. Trump has absolutely nothing to offer this country that we haven't already seen. He's inapt at being himself let alone trying to pass himself off as being presidential. Given the opportunity, I'll lay even money his shadow would leave him, given the chance. Let's see if he can control himself enough to remain in the courtroom with a judge that has little appreciation for his idiotic behavior.
But, but - Trump built 82 miles of wall! He yanked babies from their parents and put them in wire cages! Promises kept! /S
Betsy--OK, OK, the guy did try, phatically.
Actually, Putin hates the old CCCP because it gave autonomy to soviets like Ukraine; he wants to restore the old Russian Empire. As Trump wants to become Emperor of North America, he doesn't ignore Putin; he tries to emulate him.
Saudi Arabia cut oil production at Trump's request.
Maureen--President Biden met with the crown prince who was responsible for a specific journalist's dismemberment. He was a promised a regular shipment of oil in the future, the prince then spoke with Putin and our allotment was subsequently cut in half. What I meant when I said Putin wanted to reestablish the old CCCP, was what you stated concerning old Mother Russia.
According to Reuters, "As the United States pressed Saudi Arabia to end its oil price war with Russia, President Donald Trump gave Saudi leaders an ultimatum.
In an April 2 phone call, Trump told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that unless the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) started cutting oil production, he would be powerless to stop lawmakers from passing legislation to withdraw U.S. troops from the kingdom, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The threat to upend a 75-year strategic alliance, which has not been previously reported, was central to the U.S. pressure campaign that led to a landmark global deal to slash oil supply as demand collapsed in the coronavirus pandemic - scoring a diplomatic victory for the White House.
https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN22C1V3/#:~:text=In%20an%20April%202%20phone,four%20sources%20familiar%20with%20the
Maureen--I agree Trump indeed did that but on top of that issue Salman made an agreement with Biden to supply us with a specific number of barrels per day. Putin entered the day and spoke with Salman and that amount was reduced by half. The fist pump did nothing but cause embarrassment. Biden made up for the loss by tapping into the strategic oil reserve to the tune of 1,000,000 barrels per day.
Thank you. I misunderstood your comment.
Trump was a major reason for the higher oil prices & for the increased friendliness between Putin & MBS at the expense of American & European consumers .
Another good reason to vote blue!
Trust the trusts? No way!
It's about as silly and ridiculous as the MAGA slogan. As we well know, there isn't a damn thing about MAGA that even comes close to Making America Great Again.
Esty got bought out by a hedge fund. Destroying small business since - at least reagan... that's as far back as I remember.
The slogan is as silly as "Citizens United", as it is quite the opposite.
The Trumplican party HAS BEEN monstrously anti-American since Ronny drooled all over it after achomplishing a few good things. [sic]
No, the GQP's anti-Americaness goes back to Nixon & his "Southern Strategy" (unless, of course, one considers racism and inequality the quintessence of Americanism--sadly, there is an argument to be made for that).
Klaus Schwab Receives Tough Love From Dr. Phil:
Following a failed annual summit in Davos on the theme of “Rebuilding Trust,” World Economic Forum Chair Klaus Schwab sat down with American psychotherapist and TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw to address his trust issues with the public.
https://newworldhumor.substack.com/p/klaus-schwab-receives-tough-love
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The Country’s motto should be, “of the rich, by the rich and for the rich”
Substitute "corporations" for "rich" & it would be equally true.
Jaime Ramirez ; The bought and paid for 'Supreme Court' decided that Corporations are People. So they can legally say "Government of, by and for the people" and claim that they are 'honest'! So we can "trust them"...Not!
Hmmm... How clever! But you're right, Laurie!
Jaime Ramirez ; It would be more clever to figure out how to get the traitors out of government and get rid of Citizens United with all that dirty money that buys up our representation, and steals our votes for the Common Good!. They have even blocked debates on voting rights!! Talk about not supporting our Constitution!
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Both are American leeches
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Valid observations; Davos could do so much to restore faith for the future, if only WEF would stand with the mission it claims to be aiming for; stakeholders economy to bring about a safe future. A few years ago one invited speaker dared to speak up and suggest that the companies started paying tax and CEO's should reduce their salaries to bring about a fairer future as well as more prosperous future. Right now entrepreneurs and financial institutions are not investing in the economy but extracting from the economy. Thank you Robert Reich for using your knowledge, experience and influence to keep shining th light on this. : - )
I think you’re referring to Rutger Bregman who pointed out that corporations and the wealthy do not pay their fair share of taxes. There’s a famous clip where Tucker Carlson is interviewing him and Bregman just skewers an unprepared Carlson.
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Don't forget how many of these same companies used the spike in inflation later that same year to blatantly profiteer, jacking up prices way beyond their increased costs...which also ultimately helps Trump.
Rebuild trust? Not a chance.
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It looks as though the business leaders are afraid of the possibility of anti-monopoly and pro-Union legislation if Democrats win back both Houses. Which is why Congressional seats coming up for election are just as much a priority as the White House.
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End Citizens United, as usual. Thank you for highlighting this issue.
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Our planet is literally burning, freezing, drowning or dying of diseases caused by the past personal actions of these individual CEOs.
How many now in Davos are just running with these crazed wolves of Wall Street. Too many. I see their behaviour as extreme moral cowardice.
‘The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane’
Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD).
Good sentiment. Of course, Marcus Aurelius was assassinated, you know! I guess that just shows that not being in the ranks of the insane doesn't address what happens if you're in the >midst< of those ranks!
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Once we win the presidency and Congress in November m, one of our first tasks should be getting rid citizens united
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I have made it my mission to stop bankrolling these companies with my money. I do not shop at the big box stores anymore. I like Aldi's, Ollie's, and Sav-a-Lot. I buy my clothes at Goodwill, Salvation Army and Thrift stores. If I need a piece of furniture, I check out used furniture or the groups online like Bookoo. I will not help these large corporations tear my country apart to fill their coffers! I am sick of the platitudes spewed out by them 'we want to rebuild trust'! That is so laughable!! These richy rich honestly think that American citizens are stupid!! Many like myself are waking up to how they operate. They lie, price gouge, find ways to raise the price on cheap goods that won't last long enough to get them paid off!! Until America wakes up and confronts this problem head on, we will never get anywhere!! The rich will (actually already have) take over and we will be treated as peasants there only to please them. They have no regard at all for the American citizen. They use us to keep their corporations running. We are expendable in their eyes. No, I will NOT fund their agenda!!
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So did you get hack is it a joke or are there actual massive crypto earnings!
Dr. Reich would never try to sell us on anything, least of all cryptocurrency, & he wouldn't tell us to contact him on Telegram. I doubt he's ever gone there. I certainly havn't & don't intend to.
These corporations are hypocrites. They promised not to bankroll insurrectionists yet continue to do so. Not surprised to see the 5 major categories include pharmaceuticals, financials, and fossil fuels. The Congressmen they support will support their interests.
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Put simply ban corporate donations and restrict donations only from registered electors to a small $ amount. Joe Biden needs to do it.
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It’s going to take the patriotic banding together of a true HUMAN Citizens United to overcome the power of the Corporate Citizens United Cabol that was created by SCOTUS! The first thing that has to take place is to send a massive majority of Democrats to both the House and Senate, retain the Presidency, then reform the SCOTUS!
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I’m enraged.
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Professor reich, doesn't the old saying go something like this ...
fool me once, shame on you.
fool me twice, shame on me.
Lincoln, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."
So they, at Davos, acknowledge there is a trust problem? The U.S. economy is based on trust in the dollar, here and around the world.
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"Fool... *fool you again*!", he said-
> = |
(Was anyone fooled...?)
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How did Shrub make a word salad out of that one?
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Better yet::
“you can fool all of the people some of the time
and some of the people all of the time
But you can’t fool all of the people all of the time!”
...this feels somewhat aspirational presently.
We’re going to have to resurrect the 3 Musketeers to deal with this threat and champion their motto...
“One for all and all for one.”
Clearly our economic system needs to be revamped because its corruption destroys trust and concentrates wealth which destroys the commonwealth necessary for democracy to thrive.
First, we need to re-establish the trifecta that Biden came in on. That means beating Trump again, flipping five seats in the House and holding/expanding the Senate majority.
Beating Trump: We’ve done it before so it’s doable...we need to press the 14th Amendment wherever we can, we need to prosecute and win at least 1 of the 91 counts! I’m guessing that’s also doable.
Every Dem running for the House or Senate needs to invoke codify Roe V Wad, Federal minimum wage of $15.00 / hour, increase Social Security benefits at expense of corporations and the Uber-rich, a fully funded IRS, Medicare for all, and a full scale war on climate change.
Then once in place, overturn Citizens United, regulate the Supreme Court with a code of ethics and oversight. Codify the regulatory powers of government agencies and institute a Wealth Tax that funds free education all the way through college.
End fossil fuels and admit that immigration legislation is impossible.
Larry: one way to improve Congress is to sue to remove the 147 election deniers who voted against certifying Biden's win, violating their oaths of office by refusing to support the Constitution. They have disqualified themselves and should be removed from their seats, then kept off any ballot in perpetuity.
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Dimwits Economics Forum is more like it. How great do they think America's Dictatorship will be for them? Democracy helped build their wealth. Do they really think they will all be winners? That they will be beyond the wrath of a dictator? Dimwits in Davos.
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This probably happens all the time but I just signed up for the top plan it sure seems like weirdness follows me around. I signed up cause I'm interested in Political Science PhD and thought it would be a way to get to know you during office hours but the home page didn't say it was just an exclusive post and poll I thought it would be Zoom sounds more like an actual office hour
Robert Reich ; Thank you for this! Knowledge is power! This problem of having insurrectionist supporting, big lie pushing, traitors to our self rule being our representatives has got to be exposed! this is the beginning of part of the solution! naming names. there are now a few more businesses I won't support! I will push for those who are in seats of government (and the courts) to be removed from their jobs! They are disabled if they have taken oaths of office! they are disqualified!
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