I stopped trusting CNN long ago when their headline the morning after Bernie had beat Hillary in a primary was, “Hillary Clinton is still in the lead.” I remember the anchor just about choking on his words, as there was not one word about Bernie’s victory. And the Post and NYT have consistently spread misinformation about health care in Europe. I go to the Guardian if I want balanced news.
My first thought is « thank you, Professor. ». Again and again, you cut through all the noise to show what is true and important. My second thought is that the nation is the poorer for your not being invited to share this wisdom on television, where Americans who don’t know you could benefit. How many hours do they fill with interviews with talking heads who recycle the same old group think?
I share my favorite pieces of yours with friends in France, retired teachers, who truly appreciate your clarity in presenting ideas.
Thank you for reminding us of the truth. I no longer watch CNN after the new CEO Licht takeover. The House is nothing but a liars shit show! Shame on these GOP for ruining our Democratic Republic for their own reality show!
Thank you Mr.Reich for telling the Truth and pointing us in the right direction. This definitely needs exposure. I had no idea the debt ceiling was raised 3 times under Trump and nothing was said by Republicans! Democrats need to speak up on this issue to the American public. We so need clear transparency to what is really going on here! Call them out on their lies.
Thank you Mr. Reich, I listen to a very few “hosts” because I want to throw something at my tv. The b. s. that comes from most of the shows is disgusting!
Excellent column. If only all enlightened Democratic communication were this articulate! What it does omit, however, is the pervasive, severe ineptitude of the Democratic Party in countering Republican propaganda. Whether it’s the debt ceiling, abortion ( the “ pro life” movement, yea right!) voting restrictions, gun safety, or just about any other important issue, the Democrats are so lame, ineffectual, and impotent in their messaging and talking points. The Republicans’s marketing skills are far superior, right up there with Goebbels and Leni Riefenstahl. If the Democratic Party continues to fail to get its act together to effectively illuminate and rebut Republican hogwash, the Republicans will prevail and this democracy certainly will die.
Thanks for refuting the spin on the Debt Ceiling debate. Dems should argue rolling back Trump tax cuts is the best solution to restore fiscal responsibility and strike a blow for rebalancing American social class inequities.
If you look at the credentials and background of any of the mainstream networks and newspaper reporters, you will be able to count on one hand the people who have some training in economics. The only one that comes to mind is Paul Krugman at the Times. Therefore it is impossible for me to listen/read anything about economics from those sources ..... none of them have any credibility.
BTW, I've yet to see anyone mainstream bring up the idea that the Debt Ceiling might violate the 14th Amendment's Article 4. Above their pay-grade?
Jan 24, 2023·edited Jan 24, 2023Liked by Robert Reich
"The pending fight over raising the debt ceiling is complicated. If the mainstream media gets it wrong, how do we expect most Americans to get it right?"
I understood from all your points, Dr. Reich, that this fight is really not complicated. Raising the debt ceiling must be non-negotiable. Raise taxes on the wealthy.
I've noticed that also: even supposedly impartial news sources try to paint a neutral picture of the problem. Perhaps we should give them credit for trying to allay fears by pretending that democracy is working. In a rational world, though, refusing to pay obligations should be regarded as sedition, like the gallows set-up for symbolic or other purposes on January 6, 2021.
If the media aren’t interested in telling the true story it’s a sad state of affairs. If they don’t help us who will? The decline of the US as leaders of the free world is happening before our eyes.
I stopped trusting CNN long ago when their headline the morning after Bernie had beat Hillary in a primary was, “Hillary Clinton is still in the lead.” I remember the anchor just about choking on his words, as there was not one word about Bernie’s victory. And the Post and NYT have consistently spread misinformation about health care in Europe. I go to the Guardian if I want balanced news.
The real issue: Why Democrats do not go on mainstream media to hammer down the five points outlined by Mr. Reich?
My first thought is « thank you, Professor. ». Again and again, you cut through all the noise to show what is true and important. My second thought is that the nation is the poorer for your not being invited to share this wisdom on television, where Americans who don’t know you could benefit. How many hours do they fill with interviews with talking heads who recycle the same old group think?
I share my favorite pieces of yours with friends in France, retired teachers, who truly appreciate your clarity in presenting ideas.
Thank you for reminding us of the truth. I no longer watch CNN after the new CEO Licht takeover. The House is nothing but a liars shit show! Shame on these GOP for ruining our Democratic Republic for their own reality show!
Thank you Mr.Reich for telling the Truth and pointing us in the right direction. This definitely needs exposure. I had no idea the debt ceiling was raised 3 times under Trump and nothing was said by Republicans! Democrats need to speak up on this issue to the American public. We so need clear transparency to what is really going on here! Call them out on their lies.
Thank you Mr. Reich, I listen to a very few “hosts” because I want to throw something at my tv. The b. s. that comes from most of the shows is disgusting!
Excellent column. If only all enlightened Democratic communication were this articulate! What it does omit, however, is the pervasive, severe ineptitude of the Democratic Party in countering Republican propaganda. Whether it’s the debt ceiling, abortion ( the “ pro life” movement, yea right!) voting restrictions, gun safety, or just about any other important issue, the Democrats are so lame, ineffectual, and impotent in their messaging and talking points. The Republicans’s marketing skills are far superior, right up there with Goebbels and Leni Riefenstahl. If the Democratic Party continues to fail to get its act together to effectively illuminate and rebut Republican hogwash, the Republicans will prevail and this democracy certainly will die.
The framing of this issue by the media is MADDENING. Is there no one but you who is calling this out?
Thanks for refuting the spin on the Debt Ceiling debate. Dems should argue rolling back Trump tax cuts is the best solution to restore fiscal responsibility and strike a blow for rebalancing American social class inequities.
One does not, and should not, negotiate as to whether or not to take care of one’s fiscal obligations.
If you look at the credentials and background of any of the mainstream networks and newspaper reporters, you will be able to count on one hand the people who have some training in economics. The only one that comes to mind is Paul Krugman at the Times. Therefore it is impossible for me to listen/read anything about economics from those sources ..... none of them have any credibility.
BTW, I've yet to see anyone mainstream bring up the idea that the Debt Ceiling might violate the 14th Amendment's Article 4. Above their pay-grade?
IMHO, the long term answer to the debt ceiling is to 𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮! 𝙄𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙧𝙮!
No other country uses a debt ceiling except Denmark.
"The pending fight over raising the debt ceiling is complicated. If the mainstream media gets it wrong, how do we expect most Americans to get it right?"
I understood from all your points, Dr. Reich, that this fight is really not complicated. Raising the debt ceiling must be non-negotiable. Raise taxes on the wealthy.
I've noticed that also: even supposedly impartial news sources try to paint a neutral picture of the problem. Perhaps we should give them credit for trying to allay fears by pretending that democracy is working. In a rational world, though, refusing to pay obligations should be regarded as sedition, like the gallows set-up for symbolic or other purposes on January 6, 2021.
Any talk about the debt ceiling or raising it should start with increasing taxation on the super rich. Reversing trump's tax cuts would be a start
If the media aren’t interested in telling the true story it’s a sad state of affairs. If they don’t help us who will? The decline of the US as leaders of the free world is happening before our eyes.