Entitlements is one of those words that granted the Republicans a number of victories over the years. Do they call health spending an entitlement in Germany? Do they call it an entitlement in England? Why does Cuba, which is in many ways rightfully vilified for its suppression of speech and press, have a better health care system than we do? All three place health care as a human right, while we call it a government entitlement program. (We also call Social Security and entitlement program when it is workers, not the wealthy or government, who pay for it. Another story.) Health care in most situations (perhaps not including cosmetic surgeries like Brazilian butt lifts) is an inelastic demand expenditure that either requires careful regulation, or a single payer system. As is it is now much worse than when you faced the arrogant Senator Coats, yet the argument for and against a reformed health care system remains exactly the same. Your testimony could still not be given honestly. So how do we change the debate to allow the needs of farm workers, factory workers, retail workers, and government workers (including education workers like teachers) to have the same access to good health care as Senators? If you can't say that out loud in a confirmation hearing, does that mean you cannot broach the subject on the Senate floor? I know we have tried, but it seems that the can of worms has been kicked down the road so far the present system will collapse before it can be reformed. I am just glad people like yourself, Mr. Reich, are still trying.
Looks like the Lion, Ted Kennedy, was were he was meant to be in helping Americans, first by helping you, Bob, to get elected, and much later and just before he passed, Barack Obama. What a great man who spent his life fighting for the people !!
The temptation to add comments when a natural pause to a conversation -- or debate -- occures has gotten many of us into hot water over the years. Glad you survived. Thanks for sharing the experience. -- I vaguely remember some of this from news accounts of the day.
I'm glad you were confirmed, because you served workers well. It's too bad you had to suppress your real opinions to do so. I wonder whether you would have been confirmed if you had said what you really wanted to say (except for the criticism by name of Reagan, whom Republicans saw as almost a god at the time).
This made me smile. I do miss the old republican party, before the tea party ruined it. Once a republican myself, I jumped ship and became a democrat in 2008, when I heard the words, "yes we can" from a young senator from Illinois. I any case, health care shouldn't bankrupt people.
They wanted you to do what I hated when people were called to testify. We would say they did not answer the question. Now I know that is the goal. Sad. But republicans like entitlement for the rich and democrats like entitlement for the poor.
I was surprised you didn’t mention interacting with my boss, Sen. Paul Wellstone (DFL-MN). He was likely the least senior of the Committee members, but surely not the least interesting!
"If it weren’t for twelve years of Republican supply-side economic bullshit, no one would be worrying about the budget deficit to begin with. Besides, if public investments like education and job training and infrastructure are deducted from government spending, and if the remaining amount is expressed as a percentage of the whole economy, it’s not nearly as large a problem as it might seem. And if we cut defense spending as we should — now that the Cold War has ended — and taxed the very wealthy at the rate they were taxed as recently as the 1970s, we could both lower the deficit and have a large pot of money to help all Americans get the skills they need for higher wages."
Very well said!
And let's also not forget that that, in a growing economy, we _must_ have a deficit if we are to grow the money supply in sync with the economy. Unfortunately, most people don't understand that growing the money supply is _not_ automatic inflation (and that inflation has other sources as well, such as not enough goods and services being created to satisfy demand), and so they support actions that can even make the situation worse.
I was actually holding my breath in sympathy with you, Professor Reich! My stomach felt tight with anxiety as you were telling yourself to stop talking! I laughed with relief when you got the thumbs up! What a great story, and so well told. Thank you. :-)
Yes, we have a nasty feedback loop. Drug companies raise prices because they can (after years of convincing Americans that there is a pill for every malady, so why change behavior) and health insurance companies follow suit by raising premiums, so drug companies can raise prices again. Single payer is the only solution. Along with teaching Americans about their bodies while they are in public school, where their organs are, what makes them tick, and what throws a wrench in the works.
Entitlements is one of those words that granted the Republicans a number of victories over the years. Do they call health spending an entitlement in Germany? Do they call it an entitlement in England? Why does Cuba, which is in many ways rightfully vilified for its suppression of speech and press, have a better health care system than we do? All three place health care as a human right, while we call it a government entitlement program. (We also call Social Security and entitlement program when it is workers, not the wealthy or government, who pay for it. Another story.) Health care in most situations (perhaps not including cosmetic surgeries like Brazilian butt lifts) is an inelastic demand expenditure that either requires careful regulation, or a single payer system. As is it is now much worse than when you faced the arrogant Senator Coats, yet the argument for and against a reformed health care system remains exactly the same. Your testimony could still not be given honestly. So how do we change the debate to allow the needs of farm workers, factory workers, retail workers, and government workers (including education workers like teachers) to have the same access to good health care as Senators? If you can't say that out loud in a confirmation hearing, does that mean you cannot broach the subject on the Senate floor? I know we have tried, but it seems that the can of worms has been kicked down the road so far the present system will collapse before it can be reformed. I am just glad people like yourself, Mr. Reich, are still trying.
Looks like the Lion, Ted Kennedy, was were he was meant to be in helping Americans, first by helping you, Bob, to get elected, and much later and just before he passed, Barack Obama. What a great man who spent his life fighting for the people !!
That was fun! You ARE smart. I wish Biden and his administration listened to you now on taxing the corporations higher. Or even at all.
The temptation to add comments when a natural pause to a conversation -- or debate -- occures has gotten many of us into hot water over the years. Glad you survived. Thanks for sharing the experience. -- I vaguely remember some of this from news accounts of the day.
I'm glad you were confirmed, because you served workers well. It's too bad you had to suppress your real opinions to do so. I wonder whether you would have been confirmed if you had said what you really wanted to say (except for the criticism by name of Reagan, whom Republicans saw as almost a god at the time).
There was a reason that Kennedy was popular, and also you, Robert Reich, as well! Majority rules!
This made me smile. I do miss the old republican party, before the tea party ruined it. Once a republican myself, I jumped ship and became a democrat in 2008, when I heard the words, "yes we can" from a young senator from Illinois. I any case, health care shouldn't bankrupt people.
Here is another - 👍, for ya.
Can't wait for your memoir to come out.
They wanted you to do what I hated when people were called to testify. We would say they did not answer the question. Now I know that is the goal. Sad. But republicans like entitlement for the rich and democrats like entitlement for the poor.
I was surprised you didn’t mention interacting with my boss, Sen. Paul Wellstone (DFL-MN). He was likely the least senior of the Committee members, but surely not the least interesting!
"If it weren’t for twelve years of Republican supply-side economic bullshit, no one would be worrying about the budget deficit to begin with. Besides, if public investments like education and job training and infrastructure are deducted from government spending, and if the remaining amount is expressed as a percentage of the whole economy, it’s not nearly as large a problem as it might seem. And if we cut defense spending as we should — now that the Cold War has ended — and taxed the very wealthy at the rate they were taxed as recently as the 1970s, we could both lower the deficit and have a large pot of money to help all Americans get the skills they need for higher wages."
Very well said!
And let's also not forget that that, in a growing economy, we _must_ have a deficit if we are to grow the money supply in sync with the economy. Unfortunately, most people don't understand that growing the money supply is _not_ automatic inflation (and that inflation has other sources as well, such as not enough goods and services being created to satisfy demand), and so they support actions that can even make the situation worse.
I remember a TV show called "Make Me Laugh". It sounds like the TV show you were stuck on was "Make Me Cry." 8^D Or maybe "Make Me Cry 'Uncle!'"
The entire anecdote illustrates an example of "political theater".... which is apparently the case for ALL Senate confirmation hearings.
RE: choice of words. Not a great idea to place "drowned" so close to "Kennedy" in a sentence. Just saying....
I was actually holding my breath in sympathy with you, Professor Reich! My stomach felt tight with anxiety as you were telling yourself to stop talking! I laughed with relief when you got the thumbs up! What a great story, and so well told. Thank you. :-)
Your full autobiography will be a best-seller. Could be shelved under both humor and politics.
Yes, we have a nasty feedback loop. Drug companies raise prices because they can (after years of convincing Americans that there is a pill for every malady, so why change behavior) and health insurance companies follow suit by raising premiums, so drug companies can raise prices again. Single payer is the only solution. Along with teaching Americans about their bodies while they are in public school, where their organs are, what makes them tick, and what throws a wrench in the works.