I live in a small town in Spain that needs a breath of fresh air in the government. I’m using progressive tactics constantly, grassroots organising, speaking at the Town Hall, voter registration of targeted communities. And going to the press with voter info in various languages so all eligible foreigners here know their rights. Being from Burlington, VT, Bernie has been a model for me - to fight for what’s right!
I grew up in Franco Spain as my father was the Civilian Protocol Officer at Torreón Air Force Base. No democracy then! I love hearing about your freedom to encourage voting and societal changes.
Fascinating that you grew up here under Franco, appreciate your comparison of then and now. After seeing what happened in the last US election, I feel absolutely compelled to defend democracy in every way possible.
Judy, I suspect Bernie would be proud that you see him as a model for your progressive work. I suspect there are those in your community who see you as a model too. That's the way we pass it on and keep it going.
These are kind words Ruth, thank you. Bernie had the vision and intelligence to become mayor of conservative Burlington - and since then has been an absolute inspiration in his daily work. May we all learn from his example and pass it on!
Kerry and I have six degrees of separation. Facebook. Pennsyltucky. He is the same age as my late brother. Many common friends. Y tabien nos hablamos el mismo idioma!
"The battle is just on. It is young yet. It will be the longest and hardest ever fought for Democracy. In other lands, the people have lost. Here we shall win. It is a glorious privilege to live in this time, and have a free hand in this fight for government by the people." - Robert M. La Follette
The Big Lie traces to Rutherfraud B Hays' refusal to concede defeat in 1876. It should have ended with the Voting Rights Act, but SCOTUS permitted the Confederacy to reject due process and equal protection for minority voters. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_County_v._Holder
Daniel, you are right about the 1876 insanity. And, Hayes was a terrible president. He let the South push back on every move to give rights to Black Americans. It took nearly a century to try to correct for that, but despite the 2006 unanimous vote in Congress to keep the Voting Rights Act in place, Johnny Roberts and his klan decided to again bow to Confederate power, ignoring what the people wanted. They have been doing that for quite some time. Now, we need to figure out ways ordinary people can stand against the racism, misogyny, homo/transphobia, xenophobia, and Christianism the Supreme Court and others in our society are pumping out. Maybe we can encourage more people to stop repeating stuff they find online that is not able to be substantiated, to stop passing on things Trump and his friends toss out, and promote positive stories about people.
This is perhaps the most wonderful and uplifting piece I have read in a long time. What a boost you give to us each day!
As you pointed out, we do have much to be thankful for, despite the obstacles standing in the way. My hopes are in the very young. But it takes the older folks like us to guide them along.
You teach us how to lead the way, and for this and for all you do, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Happy New Year!
Georgia seems to give us hope by electing Warnock twice now. At the same time, I wonder if there were enough votes to put him into office, how is it Stacey Abrams did not take the governorship? It seems sexism is stronger than racism. Feminism needs to be reasserted more strongly, and the ERA needs to finish passing. There is no procedure whereby states that ratified it can now un-ratify, so it needs to be a priority.
One of the most shocking developments since the advent of the Trump administration is the attack on women's rights, & revelation that women have a lot further to go than many of us thought to reach the equality they deserve. In some ways, women have lost ground these past few years as the far right attempts, with some success, to "put women in their place". Shameful!
That's not to say that other groups -- POC, gays, trans, Jews -- haven't also suffered increased discrimination & hate against them, with assumed progress not as advanced as previously thought, and/or suffering recent setbacks. Very frustrating & disillusioning!
I see sparks of hope as the women in Iran rebel, which is a sign that the right wing repressive efforts are at least beginning to backfire on these horrible people harming others because of their lack of insight and prejudice.
Yes, I really hope the women & youth of Iran & other freedom Fighters of Iran can finally prevail over their oppressors. I am so rooting for them, but I feel helpless, knowing that any international intervention is likely to backfire. It will be up to the Iranians to sort it out. Power to the people!
By the way, Afghan women are suffering oppression & brutal force from the Taliban government, which is expelling them from schools & colleges. Horrible!
Jaime, You are right that we can't do anything to support the women in Iran. The child-men in charge already blame the "West" or the US for causing the protests rather than acknowledging that their own repression and oppression have caused the rebellion. They got away with a lot because the people were distracted, trying to survive. When a young woman was killed because of a hijab, that made women and some men too say "enough!" Now instead of just shooting people in the streets, the child-men are arresting random protesters or ones they have been eyeing for a while and executing them. That is not going to encourage obedience among the people because they will imagine the murdered as members of their own family. I do wish we could help. Then, Afghan women are just about at their limit of tolerance too. The child-men in charge (Taliban) are ignorant, violent, have no idea how to govern, but see that they can distract a lot of people by going after women. They are terrified of women, pretty aware that many of the women of Afghanistan could govern far better than they and that would make those child-men look weak. They don't realize that everyone in the world already knows they are weak and incompetent. They can kill people but can't live with them. The Taliban were supported by Pakistan years ago and now Pakistan wants nothing to do with them, or say they don't. It's a mess and women have been placed in the middle because the child-men in charge right now have all the power. I do wish we, in the 20 years we were in Afghanistan, would have armed and trained the women, all of them with guns and education. We mostly ignored the rural women and did all the negotiating with men. Not very bright! Yes, Power to the People!
Janet, yes, the Iranian women are heroes that are models for all of us. They are putting their lives on the line to stop the child-men who think it is alright to treat women like slaves or dirt or both. I hope the new year brings victory for the rights of Iranian women to live free of male rule.
The Taliban like so many descendants of ancient tribes are invested in an ideology and experience of war. In order to keep the men lean and mean and the women silent and subservient, they have chosen to interpret their Texts in a way that figuratively and literally covers up what they see as a distraction at best and and softener and reformer at worst. What they are covering of course is reality and change. The world has allowed them to both shroud and isolate themselves in a religious fantasyland. War is what they WANT in order to continue the old way...forever, if possible.
Every sane human being wants an end to war. How does it make sense to spend millions of dollars on building homes and workplaces and then have someone else just show up or send a bomb via drone, or a missile to destroy them and kill people who had nothing to do with whatever dispute is in play? Then people wonder why poverty is still a thing. People all over the world need to protest and speak out against all the propaganda-driven needless, senseless violence. It was sickening seeing Afghanistan fall back to the Taliban. Backwards thugs.
Same kind of thing happening to Ukrainians, who just want to live in peace, but are forced to defend themselves from a brutal power that wants to annihilate them & take over their country.
Agreed ! But I also think there's a bigger picture here = "original plan" of post Ukraine re-absorption is to expand the - re-acquisition into break away states of the - old Russian (Union) 'Empire' to make Russian - Great Again - as in the pre Russian revolution era. The people's of those regions, having now found a modicum of 'freedom' and self- determination (for the most part) now finding themselves on the verge of returning to an oppressive surfdom under those oligarchs now in power and doing - whatever it takes - to remain in power. Ergo, Trump
et al cozying up to oligarchs and dictators (to remain in power in his own 'right') wherever they may be ~ ~ ~ HIstory does repeat itself - in one way or another ~ ~ ~
I was so hoping Elizabeth Warren would win the presidency last time. I think she is just what we need to recover & move on ahead. We desperately need a Roosevelt for the crisis situation we face, & she is the one up to the task, with a plan for just about every major problem we have, & the energy, determination & fearlessness required to accomplish the job.
We also have to include with this 'land grab' by "westward ho" settlers, the fact that Christian/Catholic Jesuit missionaries were actively subsuming Native populations by
'kidnapping' the youth into - boarding schools - to 're-educate' them into - white mans ways and culture. To "civilize" them, totally disallowing the vibrancy of their own cultures and spiritualities !
That is 1 of our greatest shames, the way they were practically exterminated by invading settlers greedy for their land. We hoped civilization had gone way beyond that, but obviously not.
Jean, you are right about Stacey Abrams. She didn't win because she is a woman. Her opponent was not nearly as good for Georgia, but he had the right organ. We women have permitted the word "feminism" to be portrayed as a negative kind of like slut and worse. All ages of women proudly state "I'm not a feminist." But I don't understand it. They often say they want the ERA, reproductive rights, equal pay for equal work, and the other things feminists champion, but the word has kept women from standing up for women, just in case they might bee seen as a "feminist." We feminists need to reclaim the word and get more women and men to use it as a descriptor for people who stand with and for women.
ALL humans derive from a very finite initial breeding stock of primates, millions of years ago. The main and maybe only reason there are now several "races" is because of gradual and persistent diaspora of Homo sapiens (alleged sapient) from at least one common point of origin. And, there is a high probability that humans evolved from more than 1 common ancestor, i.e. Neanderthal, Cro Magnon, Denisovans et al, all of which slowly spread across the planet, one region at a time, survived, interbred, then
spread again, into more and more diverse habitats and climactic environments, with
diversity of - cause and effect if you will - on each populations genomics. All this repeated again and again over many many millenia. And as each population settles down, developing their own cultural patterns and spiritualities, there WILL be vast
differences between evolving ~ until the present time. But, to my mind, not one of these different - races - is superior to another, with each adapting to the environmental
Equality is 1 of the major principles Americans are supposed to stand for, along with liberty, justice & democracy. I proudly consider myself an egalitarian.
Lorraine, I am all for « equalism ». Equalism would only have value as a widely shared social value. I am not sure we Americans are ready to « share » equality.
(Pancha Chandra): Robert Reich, your economic analysis is often accurate & detailed; reading & comparing your economic reports with other sources show how perceptive you are; humility is your trade mark!
Thank you for your information and inspiration, and for organizing this community.
Filmmaker Michael Moore has pointed out that, in an area in which 70% of voters voted for Trump, that means 30% of voters, likely numbering in the thousands, voted for Biden. The area likely also includes many non-voters who support progressive policies. This can form a nucleus for progressive organizing in even the reddest of areas.
Carolyn, I like your idea of going after the 30% in even "red" areas. I suspect there are many in that group who would appreciate the notice and support.
Your “deal” is exactly what you give us, the facts and the arguments, the strengthening of our understanding, the information we need in as few or as many concise words as necessary. You’ve done all the work, SO MUCH UNIMAGINABLE WORK, and you give us the essence of it, as so many other knowledgeable truth sayers we rely on, each one his or her own genius. As for economics in particular, you seem to be IT, all based on common-sense educated calculations integrated with social justice. Unfortunately, the readers of Reich may in good part be communicating in an echo chamber. The greatest bully pulpits are used too little for public education, for the clarifications you offer. What a terrible shame, how unimaginative, unenlightened and counterproductive, not using the best weapons, truth, and facts and figures for public consideration. Citizens, the ABC’s: THIS is what the Republican party stands for, and THIS is what the Democratic party stands for. THIS is who makes up the Republican party, and THIS is who makes up the Democratic party. Whom and what do you prefer? Every word chosen for pronouncement on the bully pulpit should be primarily for the purposes of education, not rallying people up with too easy slogans spoken with clichéd and claptrap oratorial elocution. The right slogans are OK, it helps remember in broad strokes, but back them up with hard facts and explanations, less rah-rah-rah, more of everything you write about, Mr. Reich, as briefly as possible. Leaders, with composure, with strength, with honesty and humility, just explain, tell us the history, offer up the basic flaws and dysfunctions, speak the unspoken, call out the elephant in the room, expose and denounce if necessary and, with love dare we say, and with conviction, tell us what might very well fix the problem, convince us for pity’s sake! Earn your applause and the votes you were awarded!!!
I'm not sure whether or not my comment came through. I was recalling that this morning I found myself listening again to the inspiring speech made by Arnold Schwarzenegger in January 2021. He reminded us about how fragile democracy is, how it was lost in his original homeland but that America cannot allow it to be destroyed by... Americans. I'm not American and if I lived there I wouldn't vote for Arnold's team. I would however, listen to those on that side who will be part of the solution.
@Jeannette. You are very smart to say that - we need all the reasonable Republicans that are left to stand with the coalition of truthful, patriotic Americans and reject Trumpism, reject the idea of an alternative nation (the old Confederacy), and reject the idea that we need any kind of "strong man" in our nation's highest office.
Thank you Benjamin. I do think it's audacious of me to comment on the diversity that is the United States of America. In Australia it's a similar dilemma where the two-horse race as it's called, makes it difficult to accept that no one Party has a monopoly on wanting the best for the Nation. I wish the great nation of America a healing and productive 2023 and into the future.
As I read through the comments there are some who really disagree with the good professor which is your right.
It would be an interesting question to ask why the reflex for negative? The usual answer is... it is easier to be angry and upset than look for the positive. It takes more glucose in your brain, and burns more ATP in your cells to be positive. Not everyone (literally) has it in them.
That said, part of the work is expending that energy and showing up in the world as who you want to be. To live from positive values. Hell, if the GOP could find some positive values to live from, we'd all be better off.
So maybe today as we go into the new year...decide and act as if you are the good in this world and see what happens.
Because...you are the good. Be the good around you and you'll see you have more energy for the fight of creating a more perfect Union.
Michele, I like your perspective, be the good the world needs is a message we all can use, even Republicans who have gotten lost in Trump's MAGA fear and anger. We all need to believe we have something positive and valuable to contribute. We need to get the word out more often that everyone has something positive to offer and can do it far better without the fear and anger that so many would stoke.
I recently read a wonderful quote from a Climate Activist who referred to Fossil fuels as weapons of mass destruction.
I saw a report from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice which proved that gun injury treatments just in NY is costing Medicaid and Medicare $40m annually.
This knowledge can help policy makers to craft legislation to target the sources of the problem and hold them accountable financially, because appealing to their moral compass has proved useless.
With all the problems we need to solve, we need more JAMIE RASKINS! I was gut punched learning of his cancer diagnosis! I've been following his steady, reasonable Constitutional scholar's view of America, more so in the Impeachment and now Jan6 Committee hearings report.
This man whose life was upended with the tragic death of his son, Tommy just 2 years ago, carried on his mission and hard work investigating the crimes, lies and fraud perpetrated by X45 and his lying bunch of sycophants. He could have bowed out, citing family responsibilities, need for privacy, but he carried on with the larger cause - bringing light to the debacle that ended in January 6.
Rep. Raskin is a true patriot, a shining example of what politics SHOULD BE. He turned his private grief into making sure we all know the full scope and terror that upended one of the worst administrations in US history.
I will always be grateful to Jamie Raskin and the rest of the hardworking Jan6 committee for their diligence and perseverance into the disgusting betrayal of America.
May you have a successful outcome to your treatment. America is rooting for you. We need you to continue to be a beacon for what Congress SHOULD be. Peace, good health, and thank you from one grateful American.
We have 24 months and 8 days until the next January 6th. There will be challenges, but there will be many successes! Happy New Year to Dr. Robert Reich and all our co-commenters on this forum!
Banjamin, you are right about the 24+ months. We just need to be reminded of it now and then, and that we can see progress if we look for it and even better, if we help bring it on. Happy New Year to you too!
Thank you for reminding me once again of all the things we have accomplished. It has seemed like a long slog at times. We have made great progress since 1/21 and Biden is doing his level best to accomplish what he promised. There are however too many remnants of the previous Administration that are painful reminders every day that we can’t or shouldn’t ignore. Wishing you a wonderful beginning to a New Year.
I live in a small town in the Netherlands. I used the Christmass days for reading in my old political science litterature. For instance Rosa Luxemburg who reduced the social struggle to the simple position: "what about the social question?" How to live a descent life and how to distribute the values we produce and earn?
Your thoughts about next year are very similar to mine; thank you for the idea that a lot of people all over the world produce the solidarity we need.
Why is Biden and most Democrats letting the insurance companies and republicans undermine Medicare and Medicaid without a fight? It almost seems as though Biden is assisting this corrosive attack.
I live in a small town in Spain that needs a breath of fresh air in the government. I’m using progressive tactics constantly, grassroots organising, speaking at the Town Hall, voter registration of targeted communities. And going to the press with voter info in various languages so all eligible foreigners here know their rights. Being from Burlington, VT, Bernie has been a model for me - to fight for what’s right!
I grew up in Franco Spain as my father was the Civilian Protocol Officer at Torreón Air Force Base. No democracy then! I love hearing about your freedom to encourage voting and societal changes.
Fascinating that you grew up here under Franco, appreciate your comparison of then and now. After seeing what happened in the last US election, I feel absolutely compelled to defend democracy in every way possible.
Judy, I suspect Bernie would be proud that you see him as a model for your progressive work. I suspect there are those in your community who see you as a model too. That's the way we pass it on and keep it going.
These are kind words Ruth, thank you. Bernie had the vision and intelligence to become mayor of conservative Burlington - and since then has been an absolute inspiration in his daily work. May we all learn from his example and pass it on!
Hi neighbor. I'm in Catalunya, and my son lives in Burlington.
small world (these days helped somewhat by the "good" part of the internet).
Kerry and I have six degrees of separation. Facebook. Pennsyltucky. He is the same age as my late brother. Many common friends. Y tabien nos hablamos el mismo idioma!
Wow, Judy. You GO, Girl! ...and you're not even in your native country. Bernie would be so proud if he knew!
Muchas gracias! 😊
Amen, girl. Great thread Judy and greeting from a small town on the south of France.
Amen!
"The battle is just on. It is young yet. It will be the longest and hardest ever fought for Democracy. In other lands, the people have lost. Here we shall win. It is a glorious privilege to live in this time, and have a free hand in this fight for government by the people." - Robert M. La Follette
Our battle should be to restore the right to vote. Not expressed in the Constitution. Should be "one man, one vote." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynolds_v._Sims
The Big Lie traces to Rutherfraud B Hays' refusal to concede defeat in 1876. It should have ended with the Voting Rights Act, but SCOTUS permitted the Confederacy to reject due process and equal protection for minority voters. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_County_v._Holder
Daniel, you are right about the 1876 insanity. And, Hayes was a terrible president. He let the South push back on every move to give rights to Black Americans. It took nearly a century to try to correct for that, but despite the 2006 unanimous vote in Congress to keep the Voting Rights Act in place, Johnny Roberts and his klan decided to again bow to Confederate power, ignoring what the people wanted. They have been doing that for quite some time. Now, we need to figure out ways ordinary people can stand against the racism, misogyny, homo/transphobia, xenophobia, and Christianism the Supreme Court and others in our society are pumping out. Maybe we can encourage more people to stop repeating stuff they find online that is not able to be substantiated, to stop passing on things Trump and his friends toss out, and promote positive stories about people.
Amazing that this was never in my consciousness. Thank you.
Ian, great quote! It really inspires me. Thanks!
Dear Professor Reich,
This is perhaps the most wonderful and uplifting piece I have read in a long time. What a boost you give to us each day!
As you pointed out, we do have much to be thankful for, despite the obstacles standing in the way. My hopes are in the very young. But it takes the older folks like us to guide them along.
You teach us how to lead the way, and for this and for all you do, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Happy New Year!
Sincerely, Anne M. in Maryland
P.S. I love your drawings
🌻🌟💙🌟🌻
Thank you Robert Reich for that wider perspective and encouragement. You are right, and community is very important in this struggle.
Georgia seems to give us hope by electing Warnock twice now. At the same time, I wonder if there were enough votes to put him into office, how is it Stacey Abrams did not take the governorship? It seems sexism is stronger than racism. Feminism needs to be reasserted more strongly, and the ERA needs to finish passing. There is no procedure whereby states that ratified it can now un-ratify, so it needs to be a priority.
One of the most shocking developments since the advent of the Trump administration is the attack on women's rights, & revelation that women have a lot further to go than many of us thought to reach the equality they deserve. In some ways, women have lost ground these past few years as the far right attempts, with some success, to "put women in their place". Shameful!
That's not to say that other groups -- POC, gays, trans, Jews -- haven't also suffered increased discrimination & hate against them, with assumed progress not as advanced as previously thought, and/or suffering recent setbacks. Very frustrating & disillusioning!
I see sparks of hope as the women in Iran rebel, which is a sign that the right wing repressive efforts are at least beginning to backfire on these horrible people harming others because of their lack of insight and prejudice.
Yes, I really hope the women & youth of Iran & other freedom Fighters of Iran can finally prevail over their oppressors. I am so rooting for them, but I feel helpless, knowing that any international intervention is likely to backfire. It will be up to the Iranians to sort it out. Power to the people!
By the way, Afghan women are suffering oppression & brutal force from the Taliban government, which is expelling them from schools & colleges. Horrible!
Jaime, You are right that we can't do anything to support the women in Iran. The child-men in charge already blame the "West" or the US for causing the protests rather than acknowledging that their own repression and oppression have caused the rebellion. They got away with a lot because the people were distracted, trying to survive. When a young woman was killed because of a hijab, that made women and some men too say "enough!" Now instead of just shooting people in the streets, the child-men are arresting random protesters or ones they have been eyeing for a while and executing them. That is not going to encourage obedience among the people because they will imagine the murdered as members of their own family. I do wish we could help. Then, Afghan women are just about at their limit of tolerance too. The child-men in charge (Taliban) are ignorant, violent, have no idea how to govern, but see that they can distract a lot of people by going after women. They are terrified of women, pretty aware that many of the women of Afghanistan could govern far better than they and that would make those child-men look weak. They don't realize that everyone in the world already knows they are weak and incompetent. They can kill people but can't live with them. The Taliban were supported by Pakistan years ago and now Pakistan wants nothing to do with them, or say they don't. It's a mess and women have been placed in the middle because the child-men in charge right now have all the power. I do wish we, in the 20 years we were in Afghanistan, would have armed and trained the women, all of them with guns and education. We mostly ignored the rural women and did all the negotiating with men. Not very bright! Yes, Power to the People!
Janet, yes, the Iranian women are heroes that are models for all of us. They are putting their lives on the line to stop the child-men who think it is alright to treat women like slaves or dirt or both. I hope the new year brings victory for the rights of Iranian women to live free of male rule.
The Taliban like so many descendants of ancient tribes are invested in an ideology and experience of war. In order to keep the men lean and mean and the women silent and subservient, they have chosen to interpret their Texts in a way that figuratively and literally covers up what they see as a distraction at best and and softener and reformer at worst. What they are covering of course is reality and change. The world has allowed them to both shroud and isolate themselves in a religious fantasyland. War is what they WANT in order to continue the old way...forever, if possible.
Every sane human being wants an end to war. How does it make sense to spend millions of dollars on building homes and workplaces and then have someone else just show up or send a bomb via drone, or a missile to destroy them and kill people who had nothing to do with whatever dispute is in play? Then people wonder why poverty is still a thing. People all over the world need to protest and speak out against all the propaganda-driven needless, senseless violence. It was sickening seeing Afghanistan fall back to the Taliban. Backwards thugs.
Same kind of thing happening to Ukrainians, who just want to live in peace, but are forced to defend themselves from a brutal power that wants to annihilate them & take over their country.
Agreed ! But I also think there's a bigger picture here = "original plan" of post Ukraine re-absorption is to expand the - re-acquisition into break away states of the - old Russian (Union) 'Empire' to make Russian - Great Again - as in the pre Russian revolution era. The people's of those regions, having now found a modicum of 'freedom' and self- determination (for the most part) now finding themselves on the verge of returning to an oppressive surfdom under those oligarchs now in power and doing - whatever it takes - to remain in power. Ergo, Trump
et al cozying up to oligarchs and dictators (to remain in power in his own 'right') wherever they may be ~ ~ ~ HIstory does repeat itself - in one way or another ~ ~ ~
Agreed Jaime! I only hope that a woman will be elected to the White House within my lifetime, but it will be an uphill battle for sure.
I was so hoping Elizabeth Warren would win the presidency last time. I think she is just what we need to recover & move on ahead. We desperately need a Roosevelt for the crisis situation we face, & she is the one up to the task, with a plan for just about every major problem we have, & the energy, determination & fearlessness required to accomplish the job.
Good points! She would have my support!
We also have to include with this 'land grab' by "westward ho" settlers, the fact that Christian/Catholic Jesuit missionaries were actively subsuming Native populations by
'kidnapping' the youth into - boarding schools - to 're-educate' them into - white mans ways and culture. To "civilize" them, totally disallowing the vibrancy of their own cultures and spiritualities !
That is 1 of our greatest shames, the way they were practically exterminated by invading settlers greedy for their land. We hoped civilization had gone way beyond that, but obviously not.
Jean, you are right about Stacey Abrams. She didn't win because she is a woman. Her opponent was not nearly as good for Georgia, but he had the right organ. We women have permitted the word "feminism" to be portrayed as a negative kind of like slut and worse. All ages of women proudly state "I'm not a feminist." But I don't understand it. They often say they want the ERA, reproductive rights, equal pay for equal work, and the other things feminists champion, but the word has kept women from standing up for women, just in case they might bee seen as a "feminist." We feminists need to reclaim the word and get more women and men to use it as a descriptor for people who stand with and for women.
Let’s call it equalism! ALL people are equal, regardless of color, gender, faith and nationality.
ALL humans derive from a very finite initial breeding stock of primates, millions of years ago. The main and maybe only reason there are now several "races" is because of gradual and persistent diaspora of Homo sapiens (alleged sapient) from at least one common point of origin. And, there is a high probability that humans evolved from more than 1 common ancestor, i.e. Neanderthal, Cro Magnon, Denisovans et al, all of which slowly spread across the planet, one region at a time, survived, interbred, then
spread again, into more and more diverse habitats and climactic environments, with
diversity of - cause and effect if you will - on each populations genomics. All this repeated again and again over many many millenia. And as each population settles down, developing their own cultural patterns and spiritualities, there WILL be vast
differences between evolving ~ until the present time. But, to my mind, not one of these different - races - is superior to another, with each adapting to the environmental
and geographic - they call home.
Equality is 1 of the major principles Americans are supposed to stand for, along with liberty, justice & democracy. I proudly consider myself an egalitarian.
Lorraine, I am all for « equalism ». Equalism would only have value as a widely shared social value. I am not sure we Americans are ready to « share » equality.
I fully agree, Ruth!
Georgia has shifted to purple but sadly the crimson is still dominant… *sigh*
(Pancha Chandra): Robert Reich is a gem of a man! His advice guides us superbly! The Truth is his raw material. We need more statesmen like him!
(Pancha Chandra): Spot On!
(Pancha Chandra): Robert Reich, your economic analysis is often accurate & detailed; reading & comparing your economic reports with other sources show how perceptive you are; humility is your trade mark!
Thank you for your information and inspiration, and for organizing this community.
Filmmaker Michael Moore has pointed out that, in an area in which 70% of voters voted for Trump, that means 30% of voters, likely numbering in the thousands, voted for Biden. The area likely also includes many non-voters who support progressive policies. This can form a nucleus for progressive organizing in even the reddest of areas.
Carolyn, I like your idea of going after the 30% in even "red" areas. I suspect there are many in that group who would appreciate the notice and support.
Your “deal” is exactly what you give us, the facts and the arguments, the strengthening of our understanding, the information we need in as few or as many concise words as necessary. You’ve done all the work, SO MUCH UNIMAGINABLE WORK, and you give us the essence of it, as so many other knowledgeable truth sayers we rely on, each one his or her own genius. As for economics in particular, you seem to be IT, all based on common-sense educated calculations integrated with social justice. Unfortunately, the readers of Reich may in good part be communicating in an echo chamber. The greatest bully pulpits are used too little for public education, for the clarifications you offer. What a terrible shame, how unimaginative, unenlightened and counterproductive, not using the best weapons, truth, and facts and figures for public consideration. Citizens, the ABC’s: THIS is what the Republican party stands for, and THIS is what the Democratic party stands for. THIS is who makes up the Republican party, and THIS is who makes up the Democratic party. Whom and what do you prefer? Every word chosen for pronouncement on the bully pulpit should be primarily for the purposes of education, not rallying people up with too easy slogans spoken with clichéd and claptrap oratorial elocution. The right slogans are OK, it helps remember in broad strokes, but back them up with hard facts and explanations, less rah-rah-rah, more of everything you write about, Mr. Reich, as briefly as possible. Leaders, with composure, with strength, with honesty and humility, just explain, tell us the history, offer up the basic flaws and dysfunctions, speak the unspoken, call out the elephant in the room, expose and denounce if necessary and, with love dare we say, and with conviction, tell us what might very well fix the problem, convince us for pity’s sake! Earn your applause and the votes you were awarded!!!
I'm not sure whether or not my comment came through. I was recalling that this morning I found myself listening again to the inspiring speech made by Arnold Schwarzenegger in January 2021. He reminded us about how fragile democracy is, how it was lost in his original homeland but that America cannot allow it to be destroyed by... Americans. I'm not American and if I lived there I wouldn't vote for Arnold's team. I would however, listen to those on that side who will be part of the solution.
@Jeannette. You are very smart to say that - we need all the reasonable Republicans that are left to stand with the coalition of truthful, patriotic Americans and reject Trumpism, reject the idea of an alternative nation (the old Confederacy), and reject the idea that we need any kind of "strong man" in our nation's highest office.
Thank you Benjamin. I do think it's audacious of me to comment on the diversity that is the United States of America. In Australia it's a similar dilemma where the two-horse race as it's called, makes it difficult to accept that no one Party has a monopoly on wanting the best for the Nation. I wish the great nation of America a healing and productive 2023 and into the future.
As I read through the comments there are some who really disagree with the good professor which is your right.
It would be an interesting question to ask why the reflex for negative? The usual answer is... it is easier to be angry and upset than look for the positive. It takes more glucose in your brain, and burns more ATP in your cells to be positive. Not everyone (literally) has it in them.
That said, part of the work is expending that energy and showing up in the world as who you want to be. To live from positive values. Hell, if the GOP could find some positive values to live from, we'd all be better off.
So maybe today as we go into the new year...decide and act as if you are the good in this world and see what happens.
Because...you are the good. Be the good around you and you'll see you have more energy for the fight of creating a more perfect Union.
Michele, I like your perspective, be the good the world needs is a message we all can use, even Republicans who have gotten lost in Trump's MAGA fear and anger. We all need to believe we have something positive and valuable to contribute. We need to get the word out more often that everyone has something positive to offer and can do it far better without the fear and anger that so many would stoke.
Touché Dr. Pfannenstiel 🌻
I recently read a wonderful quote from a Climate Activist who referred to Fossil fuels as weapons of mass destruction.
I saw a report from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice which proved that gun injury treatments just in NY is costing Medicaid and Medicare $40m annually.
This knowledge can help policy makers to craft legislation to target the sources of the problem and hold them accountable financially, because appealing to their moral compass has proved useless.
With all the problems we need to solve, we need more JAMIE RASKINS! I was gut punched learning of his cancer diagnosis! I've been following his steady, reasonable Constitutional scholar's view of America, more so in the Impeachment and now Jan6 Committee hearings report.
This man whose life was upended with the tragic death of his son, Tommy just 2 years ago, carried on his mission and hard work investigating the crimes, lies and fraud perpetrated by X45 and his lying bunch of sycophants. He could have bowed out, citing family responsibilities, need for privacy, but he carried on with the larger cause - bringing light to the debacle that ended in January 6.
Rep. Raskin is a true patriot, a shining example of what politics SHOULD BE. He turned his private grief into making sure we all know the full scope and terror that upended one of the worst administrations in US history.
I will always be grateful to Jamie Raskin and the rest of the hardworking Jan6 committee for their diligence and perseverance into the disgusting betrayal of America.
May you have a successful outcome to your treatment. America is rooting for you. We need you to continue to be a beacon for what Congress SHOULD be. Peace, good health, and thank you from one grateful American.
We have 24 months and 8 days until the next January 6th. There will be challenges, but there will be many successes! Happy New Year to Dr. Robert Reich and all our co-commenters on this forum!
Banjamin, you are right about the 24+ months. We just need to be reminded of it now and then, and that we can see progress if we look for it and even better, if we help bring it on. Happy New Year to you too!
Thank you for reminding me once again of all the things we have accomplished. It has seemed like a long slog at times. We have made great progress since 1/21 and Biden is doing his level best to accomplish what he promised. There are however too many remnants of the previous Administration that are painful reminders every day that we can’t or shouldn’t ignore. Wishing you a wonderful beginning to a New Year.
I live in a small town in the Netherlands. I used the Christmass days for reading in my old political science litterature. For instance Rosa Luxemburg who reduced the social struggle to the simple position: "what about the social question?" How to live a descent life and how to distribute the values we produce and earn?
Your thoughts about next year are very similar to mine; thank you for the idea that a lot of people all over the world produce the solidarity we need.
Why is Biden and most Democrats letting the insurance companies and republicans undermine Medicare and Medicaid without a fight? It almost seems as though Biden is assisting this corrosive attack.