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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

Thank you so much for your good sense, kind heart, and will for the common good. For your exemplary use of your podium.

And I am personally and deeply grateful for your fine understanding of economics and superlative chops in explaining it.

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Peggy Freeman's avatar

Agreed!

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foofaraw & Chiquita(ARF!)'s avatar

Peggy,

Just noticed 3 copies of Robert Reich's Fantagraphics title "Economics in Wonderland" (the book on the shelf behind him in Saturday's videos.) The publisher has been sold out for > a year, but sometimes these ThriftBook copies are actually just dinged copies in much better condition than advertised.

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/economics-in-wonderland-robert-reichs-cartoon-guide-to-a-political-world-gone-mad-and-mean_robert-b-reich/13980503/all-editions/?resultid=3e17fa55-5054-40f1-951c-91259563130d

Just thought you (and a few others) might be interested!

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Elizabeth Chadwell's avatar

try the library. the newer books have waiting lists, but some of the older ones might be available. ALSO, The Last Class film is worth watching and then you can download his classes for free

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Louise Purfield-Coak's avatar

Oh,Thank you! I also want to thank Professor Reich. You and HCR were my first subscriptions on Substack. I would like to add Happy New Year to everyone who is part of this community! It's snowing heavily here in Southeastern Michigan!

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foofaraw & Chiquita(ARF!)'s avatar

Dr. Reich was also my intro to Substack, and my first subscription as well.

Thank you, Louise! Happy New Year!

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Paula Dean's avatar

Thanks!

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Peggy Freeman's avatar

Thanks, foofaraw & Chiquita!

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ISOequanimity's avatar

You’re welcome, Professor Reich! And thank you! I believe we CAN do even better in 2026, and your wisdom and guidance are a huge part of that, but it will require unprecedented sacrifice and self discipline from blue candidates. We don’t have Quincy Jones to demand that they “check their egos at the door.” They’ll have to have the internal fortitude to do it themselves. This year, it’s not the person. It’s the platform. This country has sustained a total moral collapse and has replaced the covenant of good faith and fair dealing with caveat emptor. DNC needs to display truthfulness, transparency, and accountability. No more Tammany Hall Boss Tweed nonsense or notions of whose “turn” it is. It’s time to Put Away Childish Things. In other words, a PACT.

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ron's avatar

Let me add my two cents, ya buddy

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Nanc Kinley's avatar

Ditto to exactly what Mary Ann Dimand said!

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Julie's avatar

Yes! I feel the same!

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Sheila's avatar

I second that.

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Tish Miller's avatar

Agreed!

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Dorothy Knudson's avatar

I agree with Mary Ann.

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Steve Cartwright's avatar

You put it best, Mary Ann

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Joan DeMartin's avatar

Agreed!

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Irene Krull Vitullo's avatar

So well said, Mary Ann Dimand. I was going to type the SAME thing, but you said it so well! I'll keep looking for your comments! And I'm going to continue to share Robert Reich's Substack, and encourage those recipients also to share!

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Mike Hammer's avatar

Thank you Professor Reich for your stewardship, wisdom and sense of humor. You have helped us immensely in learning how to cope with the evils of the current regime. Sir, you are truly a mensch among men.

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Jenny's avatar

Thank you for your wisdom and humor. Thanks for being there cheering us on.

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Sara Ringwald's avatar

Thank You sir, for giving us some of the best writing and inspiration to keep fighting this horrific creature…. We have to stay inspired in the new year; I know you will help us. Sara Ringwald

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foofaraw & Chiquita(ARF!)'s avatar

Mike,

Just noticed 3 copies of Robert Reich's Fantagraphics title "Economics in Wonderland" (the book on the shelf behind him in Saturday's videos.) The published has been sold out for > a year, but sometimes these ThriftBook copies are actually just dinged copies in much better condition than advertised.

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/economics-in-wonderland-robert-reichs-cartoon-guide-to-a-political-world-gone-mad-and-mean_robert-b-reich/13980503/all-editions/?resultid=3e17fa55-5054-40f1-951c-91259563130d

Just thought you (and a few others) might be interested!

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Christine Winter's avatar

I am not an American, but i read your posts to help me understand what is happening on the inside. It’s hard to have a conversation in Europe without his name cropping up. I think we all depended on America like a big brother to defend us, but we now realise that won’t happen so we need to become a lot stronger. I just hope we haven’t left it too late to get started. Seeing such a great country as the US turn inward is heartbreaking, but your posts make me believe that America is fighting back and at some point will rebuild its reputation. Thank you. I hope 2026 is a turning point.

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Mmerose's avatar

I always appreciate foreigners giving us the benefit of the doubt. America had a bad turning toward jingoism and anti-semitism at the beginning of WW2. Sadly, it took the Pearl Harbor catastrophe to allow a great leader to respond in solidarity with the world's victims against invasion. I don't know what it will take, now. We are under a tyranny of the minority, and the political system does not rise to the occasion.

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Betsy Groth's avatar

Unfortunately, it seems we do not have a great leader waiting in the wings, a courageous leader to help us take our democracy back.

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Charlie's avatar

Oftentimes, those Great Leaders of our past have been collectives of ideas.

And in fact, a great many of our movements of social progress--abolition, suffrage, civil rights, women's rights, environmental rights--have come from We the People.

We can do this, too. And we must.

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Betsy Groth's avatar

All those movements had notably leaders.

Civil rights ? MLK Jr

Women’s rights? Susan B Anthony

Environment? Greta Thunberg

Democracy? No one. And they should have emerged already, because we have lost our democracy.

Chris Murphy and Gavin Newsome have come the closest.

And Chris Murphy’s re election is assured, he can devote himself to restoring democracy.

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Charlie's avatar

The Civil Rights movement was going a long time before MLK Jr. Susan B. Anthony was not the first, and it wasn’t only the US. And tehe environment? Decades before Greta was born or even thought of.

The f*^king fascists want us- *need* us-- to despair, give up. We must withhold the satisfaction from them 😉

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Joan DeMartin's avatar

Or what you said...

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Joan DeMartin's avatar

One will emerge...

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Charlie's avatar

Yes, one will emerge. In the meantime, we've gotta be stubborn bastards. My forte 💪🏼

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Dorothy Knudson's avatar

Christine, I am an American and I go between feeling sad and mad.

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Beverley Short's avatar

Dorothy, sad means you are a caring person, mad means you have the energy to rise up and fight. Anger is a great motivator. Channel that energy!

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Dennis King's avatar

Thank you, Christine, for your view from the outside, and great thanks to Prof. Reich for extending the hope for a much brighter future in a world without trump. To "share these posts" is a way to dispense the facts in the face of baseless claims from a tyrant. We will need Europe and other strong allies to repair the damage to the world after trump, much as the U.S. and allies pulled up Europe and Asia from ruin by fascism after WWII.

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Paula Dean's avatar

Amen, Dennis.

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Trafton Crandall's avatar

Thank You So Much!

✨️🌟✨️

It is So Encouraging to hear that our Friends and Allies in Europe stand with us here in 🇺🇸.

TC

🦅🌍🌈

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ron's avatar

We'll believe we're trying, damn it. No Kings bitches

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Beverley Short's avatar

Amen to that from New Zealand Christine. I see Germany is going back to 18 year old conscription. I am absolutely with you that 2026 MUST be a turning point, and it is thanks to all those who read Professor Reich's SubStack, Inequality Media and the Prof himself, long may he live!

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Constance McCutcheon's avatar

It's for us to thank you, Mr. Reich, for being there to assure us that we’re not alone, are not crazy, and have all the reason in the world to fight along with you against the horrors that are shredding our country. Together we stand, divided we are zip-tied.

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Betsy Groth's avatar

Yes,we the people are together, fighting hard. But we have no leader. Lots of politicians spouting empty words, but no leader.

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Peggy Freeman's avatar

Professor Reich, thank you for always being there to inform, encourage and lead us. Your substack is my first go-to every morning. You have never backed away from addressing the 'elephant in the room' and providing information we can use to fight back and resist this regime. I am heading into 2026 with a strong purpose and strength I never realized I had until push came to shove! I so appreciate you! Thank you for all that you do to help everyone fight for the country we know and love. The only resolution I have this year is to work as hard as I can to help our candidates win in the midterms. I will double down on my letter writing, postcards, phone calls, petition signing and be at every single protest. May you have a peaceful and Happy New Year!

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Barbara S Hayden's avatar

I'm with you on this Peggy. Let's add just a bit of self-care (exercise, rest, fun & laughter) to the resolution so we don't burn out. We'll need ongoing strength - rebuilding will come next and then a way to keep voters from getting complacent again.

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Peggy Freeman's avatar

Absolutely, Barbara! Happy New Year to you!

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Pamela Mendenhall-Howard's avatar

Barbara.....I agree!

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MARY's avatar

Ditto

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Susan Iwanisziw's avatar

I am hoping to do that too. I’m particularly bad with phone calls.

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Peggy Freeman's avatar

To be honest, Susan, I have a hard time with phone calls, too! Sometimes my words get all mixed up or a comment from them gets me riled and I feel like I am talking in a combative voice! It's hard, but I keep at it. Who knows, by the time this regime is history, I may have gotten better at it!

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Joanne Steacie's avatar

Peggy, it's good to know others have problems with phone calls. I don't make as many as I should because I sound like an idiot. I mispronounce words or sound too emotional. But it IS emotional and you want to mentally thump your Congress members on the head to DO Something! But nice to hear that you feel the same. Thanks!

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Peggy Freeman's avatar

I get it, Joanne! The first time I made a phone call was to one of my representatives. The words I was saying sounded like gobbledegook! I was nervous and my voice didn't even sound like me! I was determined though and have kept at it even though it isn't my favorite job to do! Many of us are doing things right now that we wouldn't ordinarily do, but the way things are we basically have to! Have a wonderful New Year, Joanne!

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Joanne Steacie's avatar

I agree. I need to push myself more on the calls! Thans, Peggy!

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Susan Iwanisziw's avatar

I have only left messages so far, and my British accent is so pronounced over the phone that I would expect ‘immigrant’ derision from the other side. I would probably hang up and fume all day long.

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Peggy Freeman's avatar

That would make me fume, too!

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Beverley Short's avatar

Susan, Joanne and Peggy, this is a form of acting. It takes practice and rehearsal until you get it right. Until you can shelve the emotion and just speak like good anchors, in a steady tone and with conviction. The most important thing to remember is that ringing a Congressperson (MP in my country) with a challenge to their stance, puts them on the back foot from the get-go. Some will be defensive, but most are trained to be more professional. Finish your sentence, don't allow anyone to interrupt you. If they do, remind them that they are speaking with a Senior, who has the right to be heard, through to the end of your statement. If they won't let you, say "where are your manners?" That may or may not go down well, but won't make much difference as by then, you know that you are dealing with a prat. However, the chances are, that each time you speak to a civilised Congressperson, you are pricking their conscience just a little more than the last phone call they had. It is accumulative.

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Peggy Freeman's avatar

Thanks for this, Beverley! You sound like a pro at doing this! I appreciate the tips! Happy New Year to you and your family! I hope 2026 will be a great year for you!

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Susan Iwanisziw's avatar

I would definitely need to order my thoughts beforehand.

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Beverley Short's avatar

Even write them down, many times, until you have a short, concise statement. Then practice reading it, with a view to not sounding stilted and "read out". But even if it does sound as if you are reading it, that is not the end of the world. What is important is the strength of your statement.

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Beverley Short's avatar

Good for you Peggy. It's my first go-to every morning over coffee, as well.

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Win's avatar

Thank you Robert for bringing a beacon in the gathering darkness.

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Win's avatar

My sincere apologies: I meant BEING A BEACON…….thank you ALL.

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Klare K.'s avatar

Win, you did good -- RR DID bring a beacon to our darkened country!! (And you can always edit your comment by simply hitting the three little dots to the right of it, then choosing "edit" or even "delete" or "collapse".)

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Win's avatar

Thank you Klara …much appreciated.

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Paula Dean's avatar

Both work!

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Stephen P Dodson's avatar

Neil Diamond spoke out recently:-

“Let’s call it what it is. A vicious old bastard and his political circus just turned millions of Americans into second class citizens overnight - on the very ground they call home.

“Donald Trump isn’t protecting the Constitution he’s wringing it dry. He isn’t leading this country, he’s draining every value that kept it standing……..

“This isn’t America first. This is America being suffocated. And l won’t stand in silence while the Constitution is turned into a stage prop for a power grab.”

There is quite a long list of famous entertainers that have spoken out against Trump; this is so important because they are uniquely able to speak to MAGA supporters in a way that hits home.

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DZK's avatar

Don't forget to mention how ol' Chairman Yack-off of what's left of the Whithouse is even attempting to change the name of the Kennedy Center to express his energetic support for the >> Inhumanities! <<

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Betsy Groth's avatar

I agree with your post, but think entertainers words do nothing. Except Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, maybe.

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J. Nol's avatar

If their words inspire one person to take some action, then they do something. People who have a gift for words can be quite inspiring, regardless of their occupations.

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Derek Wessner's avatar

Thank you for giving us the tools to fight the good fight.

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Keith Olson's avatar

Thank you Professor for being a great leader in this movement against racism and discrimination by some of the worst of humanity. Let’s hope that in 2026 together we can put this band of fraudsters out of our misery for the sake of our nation and our children.

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Klare K.'s avatar

Keith, putting them out of THEIR misery, unbeknownst to them, apparently, how TRULY MISERABLE TRUMP'S BUDDIES AND CLOWNS ALL ARE!

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Gert Gelotte's avatar

Thankyou for bringing hope, not only to Americans but to us Europeans too.

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Mark Shields's avatar

Well done, yourself! Take a bow.😊👍

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Dr. Iris St. John's avatar

Bless you, Robert, for reminding us that we are Americans and that the world needs us to remember our roots and our responsibilities.

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Laura Bloom, MSW's avatar

You’re welcome. And thank you for sifting through all the disinformation and misinformation of our times; so that people can get a clear sense of what is occurring and act accordingly. 👍👍👍

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rafa tabares-seisdedos's avatar

Thank you so much, Robert, for being there like a sentinel. I only hope that in 2026 the doors will open for a true democratic movement of all the world's citizens, in every corner of the planet. It's not just the US. Allow me to recall the first and last four lines of Bertolt Brecht's poem ALL OR NONE: “Slave, who will free you? … All or none. All or nothing.

One alone cannot be saved.

Blasts or chains.

All or none. All or nothing.”

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Michele's avatar

Thanks for the voice of reason.

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Annette's avatar

Thank you!

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