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!
"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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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
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.
(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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.