Sorry to join late. I just realized that my life's priorities are 1) cross-country skiing before the Pittsburgh snow melts, 1a family and friends, 2 Robert Reich and allies,3) everything else.
Professor Reich, allow me to first thank you for your service to our country as an economist, teacher, and Secretary of Labor. You are truly a leader of our nation and deserve all the laud and credit that you have received.
Now, my question: Would you ever consider running for political office or serving again in the Cabinet or another position? We live in a world where the rich are working to save themselves and abandoning everyone else, and there's just part of me that's drawn to the idea that you could do more to fight that as an elected leader than as a professor, author, and former official. I had personally hoped that President Biden would tap you for Secretary of Labor again, but I have made my peace with Sec. Walsh (who is 100% a step up from Sec. Scalia, an absolute disaster of a SoL).
If the wealthy of America own nearly 70% of the wealth of America. If they receive 70% of their usable income from capital gains. Then their friends in Congress give them ways to avoid taxes on those gains, yet still have access to the money for use and continued gains. The American tax system will likely never see the tax benefit of the bulk of the nation’s wealth. Combine that with all the cuts to the ACA taxes on businesses, the 2017 tax cuts and the many other ways our government has given the wealthy to legally avoid paying taxes. The bulk of the tax burden now falls on the backs of every other American. Yet republicans say they pay their fair share and we can’t afford bills that would directly benefit Americans. Not sure why so many Americans are ok with it?
Most are followers and don't get into the weeds of an issue (willfully and otherwise, ignorant) they have been taken advantage of, manipulated by lies that they hear constantly and are able to isolate themselves from the truth in communities of ignorance. Unfortunately, self-serving "leaders" are the blame and they are allowed to hide in the shadows because they are not being exposed by the 'good people' within leadership. So the whole institution becomes rotten because of a few bad apples, resulting in a lot of bad apples and a rotten perception of the entire institution. In addition, the real culprits- corporations and the uber wealthy, are shielded from scrutiny by 'bought and paid for' politicians and other "leaders" that do their bidding, because they get something out of the deal. Follow the money... who do these policies really benefit? Tax cuts and loopholes don't benefit a $50,000 salary like they do a billionaire. Who continues to get the shaft... those that can't buy power/influence. We pay the taxes yet corporations and the wealthy reap the benefits!!! Those paying the lion's share of taxes are unable to benefit from their own contributions!. Our only salvation is our power-in-numbers, but self-serving leaders also know this and use our own selfishness against us to divide us via culture wars= race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, class/socioeconomic status.
Absolutely true, well said. Political power and extraordinary wealth taking advantage of fear and ignorance is cause for uneasy times for this democracy.
It’s not about how much they pay, it’s about how much we allow them to avoid. If the bulk of the wealth of this country is Never taxed, (buy, borrow, die) then how do we expect to pay for anything. Our government has chipped away at taxes for the wealthy for years, each cut puts more and more of the tax burden on the rest of the country. Prove me wrong, show me the research!
Thank you for developing this community, allowing us all to participate and ... for your drawings. They are delightful.
Sorry to join late. I just realized that my life's priorities are 1) cross-country skiing before the Pittsburgh snow melts, 1a family and friends, 2 Robert Reich and allies,3) everything else.
Yes Robert and Kara, more of these. Great fun and so much information!
Dems are terrible at long term! So right! Kara is super!
I never saw anyone have as much fun on Zoom as Kara!
I loved the live office hours!
It’s there!
Thanks, Robert Reich and Kara Segal, including your senses of humor!
I would like to thank you for saying all of the things that need to be said. We need to hear this.
For a little levity, is the room you are in the one you did your dance in at the end of your documentary? :)
Yes!! Thanks for the shout out. We have input in where the ARPA money is being spent!!
Professor Reich, allow me to first thank you for your service to our country as an economist, teacher, and Secretary of Labor. You are truly a leader of our nation and deserve all the laud and credit that you have received.
Now, my question: Would you ever consider running for political office or serving again in the Cabinet or another position? We live in a world where the rich are working to save themselves and abandoning everyone else, and there's just part of me that's drawn to the idea that you could do more to fight that as an elected leader than as a professor, author, and former official. I had personally hoped that President Biden would tap you for Secretary of Labor again, but I have made my peace with Sec. Walsh (who is 100% a step up from Sec. Scalia, an absolute disaster of a SoL).
Love the live discussion
ACLU needs to start suing the states that are suppressing voting rights.
Yes @Diane! Thinking about this last night. Is my TX Gov. and leadership harming me by suppressing my vote?!
Yes! Yes! I would love to participate in your undergraduate course on Substack!
If the wealthy of America own nearly 70% of the wealth of America. If they receive 70% of their usable income from capital gains. Then their friends in Congress give them ways to avoid taxes on those gains, yet still have access to the money for use and continued gains. The American tax system will likely never see the tax benefit of the bulk of the nation’s wealth. Combine that with all the cuts to the ACA taxes on businesses, the 2017 tax cuts and the many other ways our government has given the wealthy to legally avoid paying taxes. The bulk of the tax burden now falls on the backs of every other American. Yet republicans say they pay their fair share and we can’t afford bills that would directly benefit Americans. Not sure why so many Americans are ok with it?
Most are followers and don't get into the weeds of an issue (willfully and otherwise, ignorant) they have been taken advantage of, manipulated by lies that they hear constantly and are able to isolate themselves from the truth in communities of ignorance. Unfortunately, self-serving "leaders" are the blame and they are allowed to hide in the shadows because they are not being exposed by the 'good people' within leadership. So the whole institution becomes rotten because of a few bad apples, resulting in a lot of bad apples and a rotten perception of the entire institution. In addition, the real culprits- corporations and the uber wealthy, are shielded from scrutiny by 'bought and paid for' politicians and other "leaders" that do their bidding, because they get something out of the deal. Follow the money... who do these policies really benefit? Tax cuts and loopholes don't benefit a $50,000 salary like they do a billionaire. Who continues to get the shaft... those that can't buy power/influence. We pay the taxes yet corporations and the wealthy reap the benefits!!! Those paying the lion's share of taxes are unable to benefit from their own contributions!. Our only salvation is our power-in-numbers, but self-serving leaders also know this and use our own selfishness against us to divide us via culture wars= race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, class/socioeconomic status.
Absolutely true, well said. Political power and extraordinary wealth taking advantage of fear and ignorance is cause for uneasy times for this democracy.
Top 10 % wage earners pay about 70% of the tax. Wake up
It’s not about how much they pay, it’s about how much we allow them to avoid. If the bulk of the wealth of this country is Never taxed, (buy, borrow, die) then how do we expect to pay for anything. Our government has chipped away at taxes for the wealthy for years, each cut puts more and more of the tax burden on the rest of the country. Prove me wrong, show me the research!
God bless you Robert Reich.