Interesting, isn’t it, that the “family values” party proves time and time again that they don’t value families in the slightest when their economic and physical well-being threatens extra profits for big donors.
“People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason why the world is in chaos is because things are being loved and people are being used.”
The US is pathologically in love with profit, possessions and wealth. Change can only happen when the basic values systems are examined and corrected.
We have a system of crony capitalism brought to you by Citizens United. As long as $ flows to bribe legislators, it will purchase the policy outcomes the buyer desires.
We are no better than a third world country putting children to work in factories, putting profits before public safety. I don’t just blame the Republicans as you say Robert. The Democrats are almost as bad. Greed is a powerful motivator in this country and it infiltrates our politics so badly that it is shameful. It seems that it is not enough to expose these politicians for the greedy, horrible people they are, nothing seems to change. Entire communities like Palestine have to suffer, children suffer and we just have to stand by and watch. I wish I knew the answer.
Someone (a CEO, etc.) needs to be held personally accountable. We see that fines don't work against large corporations; someone needs to go to jail for breaking a law.
Aside from being economic nonsense, saying that regulations stifle growth and jobs is the exact equivalent of the mafia telling you that you do not need the protection of the law. Paying the mafia boss will do. Ohioans recently had a taste of what that costs.
I worked for the railroad in my mid twenties. My brother worked for the railroad passenger trains 10 years ago. He is a very bright man he was offered to take the Engineer test, but refused because it scared him that he would or could take a train into a small community and destroy it, because 1 wrong turn too fast or brakes not working correctly could kill people. Just take a look at the routes taken with trains full of dangerous and explosive tankers. Through low income, poverty filled communities with cheaper, non effective brakes, and less crews to effectively check every connection. And not enough RR staff to check rails and vandalism among many other items. Corporate greed. They shouldn't be forced to give their workers 2 or even 7 days sick leave a year, they should want to do that. Makes for healthier, more aware staff to do their jobs. It will be blamed on RR workers, you can count on that, and they will be fired or forced to take early retirement because they need their pensions. Shameful.
GREED is GOOD... and is the cornerstone of a American capitalist system which promotes efficiency.
BUT, without safeguards and protection for the people; unbridled greed leads directly to the distorted system that we find ourselves living in today. Our entire government appears to be COMPLETELY CAPTURED and run by corporations. It is not too late to correct this unfortunate situation; but damned near!
We must repeal the lousy Citizens United decision to dampen the power of BIG MONEY.
We must take steps to reduce the cost of political campaigns in this country, so that our elected representatives are not slaves to their high dollar donors and once again listen, just a bit, to hear the needs and wants of NORMAL PEOPLE instead of being just a corporate puppet.
I noticed in this newsletter, as in virtually every other document that rightly calls for needed regulations to contain capitalism’s excesses and moderate its self-serving impulses, that the terms “regulations,” “protections,” and “rules,” are used interchangeably. While denotatively the three terms are fundamentally synonymous, in contrast to the terms “regulations” and “rules” that, to many, have a substantially negative connotation, we hear or read the word “protections” and our response expectedly is positive, or maybe for some emotively neutral. Accordingly, I propose we rethink our usage of “regulations” and “rules” in our political discourse and focus, instead, on “protections,” so astutely defined as to not only withstand the predictable counter arguments but also to render them virtually moot.
It's no wonder that, according to a 2018 poll from Gallup, young Americans are souring on capitalism. Less than half, 45 percent, view capitalism positively.
“This represents a 12-point decline in young adults’ positive views of capitalism in just the past two years and a marked shift since 2010, when 68 percent viewed it positively,” notes Gallup, which defines young Americans as those aged 18 to 29.
Meanwhile, 51 percent of young people are positive about socialism. This age group’s “views of socialism have fluctuated somewhat from year to year,” reports Gallup, “but the 51 percent with a positive view today is the same as in 2010.”
I have experienced deregulation first hand in the most visible of industries: in the 80s and 90s, I was working in the airline industry and had a long career in that field. Although the Airline Deregulation Act was passed in 1978 under the Carter Administration, the front-line workers in the industry really paid the price in the Reagan/Bush years - Frank Lorenzo (Continental/Eastern), Carl Ichan (TWA), are just two examples of corporate raiders who saw cash cow companies and broke the back of labor to get at the cash. Our union contracts were sent to the shredder. (this behavior was glorified by the Reagan Administration when Reagan unilaterally fired all of the striking PATCO members)I don't want to go into the weeds on a history of the airline industry, but let me make a couple of points:
In 1978, 10 airlines controlled 90 percent of the market. Today, four airlines control just under that same market share. (The same thing has happened in the railroad industry). But hey, you have a $39 fare from San Diego to Sacramento, and that's good, right?
Well, sure, until a meltdown occurs over a holiday and an airline cancels 90% of is schedule because the company doesn't invest in technology - it's too expensive! - and there's no other alternative because of the market concentration. (On a side note, just think about how that mindset carries over into the maintenance and safety operations). And you don't think about the flight attendant who is working for less than minimum wage when you add up the hours they are away from home. Or the ramp agent tossing your bag who gets injured on the job but isn't entitled to the airline's workers compensation because the airline outsourced ground handling. All because of deregulation.
In short, people don't pay attention to the issues unless it impacts them directly - and even then, cognitive dissonance reigns supreme.
Strong labor laws provide workers a degree of protection (collective bargaining provides even stronger protection). Strong regulation provides a degree of protection for the public.
Greed has no medicine, and it is, of course, incurable. Insatiable greed burns oneself - inside out, brings heart troubles, high blood pressures, and lead to cancers in oneself and society at large. Every greedy person wants to see his 99 cents become a dollar and billions ended up in trillions. Indeed, greed makes the capitalist theory alive and kicking - bulldozing the rest of the population in a nation, which leads to poverty of nations and population.
I do not even recognize this country anymore. We have gone so far backwards on a great many levels and each day I lament more and more and yet it is overwhelming and so my question to you, Professor Reich, is what is the answer? What do you suggest a collective “we” do? 🌻
I am most familiar with the problems of the lack of regulations and the lack of monitoring and enforcement of regulations from the healthcare industry and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
I wrote my graduate thesis for a Master's in Health Services Administration. Health insurers apparently consider me disabled. I had access to an actuarial library in Chicago. That's when I learned that the significant sounding protections written into laws and codes are useless because there is little monitoring or enforcement.
As a nursing home RN employee, I witnessed state regulators of nursing homes cower in the face of losing their jobs when nursing home administrators threatened them. These weren't idle threats. Corporate owners of nursing homes contribute big money to candidates who influence the heads of state regulatory agencies.
When I wasn't hired for a nursing teaching position that didn't require lifting, I was told that the fact that I couldn't lift was why they didn't hire me. I tried to use the ADA in court, but it was no use.
A cap on malpractice awards is the final blow to injured victims because attorneys can't afford to take cases when the award doesn't pay their expenses. Look up the definition of fascism. That's where we are. We are supposed to feel protected by Acts and laws, but we aren't. I was told by an official in D.C. that the chance of winning a lawsuit under the ADA concerning employment is the same as winning the lottery. Band aid legislation isn't going to fix this. The structure of our capitalistic system is the problem. It was repaired after the Great Depression, but the fix was dismantled a piece at a time until we are back where we were 100 years ago.
Interesting, isn’t it, that the “family values” party proves time and time again that they don’t value families in the slightest when their economic and physical well-being threatens extra profits for big donors.
In the words of the Dalai Lama:
“People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason why the world is in chaos is because things are being loved and people are being used.”
The US is pathologically in love with profit, possessions and wealth. Change can only happen when the basic values systems are examined and corrected.
Corporations Without Regulations is equal to a Country With No Laws! Banana Republic
We have a system of crony capitalism brought to you by Citizens United. As long as $ flows to bribe legislators, it will purchase the policy outcomes the buyer desires.
We are no better than a third world country putting children to work in factories, putting profits before public safety. I don’t just blame the Republicans as you say Robert. The Democrats are almost as bad. Greed is a powerful motivator in this country and it infiltrates our politics so badly that it is shameful. It seems that it is not enough to expose these politicians for the greedy, horrible people they are, nothing seems to change. Entire communities like Palestine have to suffer, children suffer and we just have to stand by and watch. I wish I knew the answer.
Someone (a CEO, etc.) needs to be held personally accountable. We see that fines don't work against large corporations; someone needs to go to jail for breaking a law.
Aside from being economic nonsense, saying that regulations stifle growth and jobs is the exact equivalent of the mafia telling you that you do not need the protection of the law. Paying the mafia boss will do. Ohioans recently had a taste of what that costs.
I worked for the railroad in my mid twenties. My brother worked for the railroad passenger trains 10 years ago. He is a very bright man he was offered to take the Engineer test, but refused because it scared him that he would or could take a train into a small community and destroy it, because 1 wrong turn too fast or brakes not working correctly could kill people. Just take a look at the routes taken with trains full of dangerous and explosive tankers. Through low income, poverty filled communities with cheaper, non effective brakes, and less crews to effectively check every connection. And not enough RR staff to check rails and vandalism among many other items. Corporate greed. They shouldn't be forced to give their workers 2 or even 7 days sick leave a year, they should want to do that. Makes for healthier, more aware staff to do their jobs. It will be blamed on RR workers, you can count on that, and they will be fired or forced to take early retirement because they need their pensions. Shameful.
GREED is GOOD... and is the cornerstone of a American capitalist system which promotes efficiency.
BUT, without safeguards and protection for the people; unbridled greed leads directly to the distorted system that we find ourselves living in today. Our entire government appears to be COMPLETELY CAPTURED and run by corporations. It is not too late to correct this unfortunate situation; but damned near!
We must repeal the lousy Citizens United decision to dampen the power of BIG MONEY.
We must take steps to reduce the cost of political campaigns in this country, so that our elected representatives are not slaves to their high dollar donors and once again listen, just a bit, to hear the needs and wants of NORMAL PEOPLE instead of being just a corporate puppet.
I noticed in this newsletter, as in virtually every other document that rightly calls for needed regulations to contain capitalism’s excesses and moderate its self-serving impulses, that the terms “regulations,” “protections,” and “rules,” are used interchangeably. While denotatively the three terms are fundamentally synonymous, in contrast to the terms “regulations” and “rules” that, to many, have a substantially negative connotation, we hear or read the word “protections” and our response expectedly is positive, or maybe for some emotively neutral. Accordingly, I propose we rethink our usage of “regulations” and “rules” in our political discourse and focus, instead, on “protections,” so astutely defined as to not only withstand the predictable counter arguments but also to render them virtually moot.
It's no wonder that, according to a 2018 poll from Gallup, young Americans are souring on capitalism. Less than half, 45 percent, view capitalism positively.
“This represents a 12-point decline in young adults’ positive views of capitalism in just the past two years and a marked shift since 2010, when 68 percent viewed it positively,” notes Gallup, which defines young Americans as those aged 18 to 29.
Meanwhile, 51 percent of young people are positive about socialism. This age group’s “views of socialism have fluctuated somewhat from year to year,” reports Gallup, “but the 51 percent with a positive view today is the same as in 2010.”
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/14/fewer-than-half-of-young-americans-are-positive-about-capitalism.html
I suspect there'd be a further decline in approval of capitalism were the poll redone today.
Spot on, as usual.
I have experienced deregulation first hand in the most visible of industries: in the 80s and 90s, I was working in the airline industry and had a long career in that field. Although the Airline Deregulation Act was passed in 1978 under the Carter Administration, the front-line workers in the industry really paid the price in the Reagan/Bush years - Frank Lorenzo (Continental/Eastern), Carl Ichan (TWA), are just two examples of corporate raiders who saw cash cow companies and broke the back of labor to get at the cash. Our union contracts were sent to the shredder. (this behavior was glorified by the Reagan Administration when Reagan unilaterally fired all of the striking PATCO members)I don't want to go into the weeds on a history of the airline industry, but let me make a couple of points:
In 1978, 10 airlines controlled 90 percent of the market. Today, four airlines control just under that same market share. (The same thing has happened in the railroad industry). But hey, you have a $39 fare from San Diego to Sacramento, and that's good, right?
Well, sure, until a meltdown occurs over a holiday and an airline cancels 90% of is schedule because the company doesn't invest in technology - it's too expensive! - and there's no other alternative because of the market concentration. (On a side note, just think about how that mindset carries over into the maintenance and safety operations). And you don't think about the flight attendant who is working for less than minimum wage when you add up the hours they are away from home. Or the ramp agent tossing your bag who gets injured on the job but isn't entitled to the airline's workers compensation because the airline outsourced ground handling. All because of deregulation.
In short, people don't pay attention to the issues unless it impacts them directly - and even then, cognitive dissonance reigns supreme.
Strong labor laws provide workers a degree of protection (collective bargaining provides even stronger protection). Strong regulation provides a degree of protection for the public.
Ronald Reagan who played President in a role for which he was not qualified did untold damage to our Democracy.
Greed has no medicine, and it is, of course, incurable. Insatiable greed burns oneself - inside out, brings heart troubles, high blood pressures, and lead to cancers in oneself and society at large. Every greedy person wants to see his 99 cents become a dollar and billions ended up in trillions. Indeed, greed makes the capitalist theory alive and kicking - bulldozing the rest of the population in a nation, which leads to poverty of nations and population.
I do not even recognize this country anymore. We have gone so far backwards on a great many levels and each day I lament more and more and yet it is overwhelming and so my question to you, Professor Reich, is what is the answer? What do you suggest a collective “we” do? 🌻
I am most familiar with the problems of the lack of regulations and the lack of monitoring and enforcement of regulations from the healthcare industry and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
I wrote my graduate thesis for a Master's in Health Services Administration. Health insurers apparently consider me disabled. I had access to an actuarial library in Chicago. That's when I learned that the significant sounding protections written into laws and codes are useless because there is little monitoring or enforcement.
As a nursing home RN employee, I witnessed state regulators of nursing homes cower in the face of losing their jobs when nursing home administrators threatened them. These weren't idle threats. Corporate owners of nursing homes contribute big money to candidates who influence the heads of state regulatory agencies.
When I wasn't hired for a nursing teaching position that didn't require lifting, I was told that the fact that I couldn't lift was why they didn't hire me. I tried to use the ADA in court, but it was no use.
A cap on malpractice awards is the final blow to injured victims because attorneys can't afford to take cases when the award doesn't pay their expenses. Look up the definition of fascism. That's where we are. We are supposed to feel protected by Acts and laws, but we aren't. I was told by an official in D.C. that the chance of winning a lawsuit under the ADA concerning employment is the same as winning the lottery. Band aid legislation isn't going to fix this. The structure of our capitalistic system is the problem. It was repaired after the Great Depression, but the fix was dismantled a piece at a time until we are back where we were 100 years ago.