Thank you for joining me in this experiment. I hope you will find it useful — as well as interesting and occasionally even amusing. Please tell me about yourself. What brings you here?
Reading the prior comments, I see my profile is very similar to your other readers. I am a 70-year old retired lawyer who now regrets all those years of yelling at the radio and television about what was happening in our country, yet doing nothing about it except voting and making occasional campaign donations. Even after Trump announced he was running for president and I began really fearing for our country, I still didn't step up, because I was working full time and "didn't have the time", and I didn't believe he'd actually get elected. I finally woke up on November 9, 2016, and started to do my part. I became a leader of our local and state Indivisible organizations, organizing postcards, canvassing, phone banking, text banking, marches, rallies, newsletters, etc. Unfortunately, almost five years later, I am exhausted and still fearing for our country. Biden and the Democrats have not delivered as I had hoped. Nine months in we still don't have voting rights protections, infrastructure remediation, long-term climate change solutions, or a fair and balanced Supreme Court. The right-wing Republicans are truly on a rampage and predicted to take control of Congress in 2022. Now I am fighting against hopelessness.
Rosie, I get it. I've been at it for a long time, and every day I also have to fight against feelings of frustration and outrage. Occasionally, I also have to fight against hopelessness. But I've found that the most powerful tonic for these feelings is to actively fight the forces that are threatening our society and the world -- racism, xenophobia, misogyny, Trumpism, ignorance, and fear -- and to organize, mobilize, and energize others against them as well.
We are a country based on laws. The tenets of our many laws apply to all facets of our society. As for the Democrats vs Republicans, I can only offer this basic tenet of law. I paraphrase “If you aid and abet a thing, you become that thing.” Based on this tenet, I ask “What has the Republican Party become.” The answer is clear for the majority of the free world.
GOP talking point, "he did it too, he did it too". One party, the GOP is definitley more trash than the Dems for sure. The Dems are not pushing the big election lie, trashing the rule of law, the economy, and education in order to crash Democracy because it gets in their way; the GOP is doing that! The Dems are just playing politics as usual.
Both parties are riddled with corruption, but don’t try to tell me that Republicans aren’t worse. They have no sense of country first. They would follow a one eyed vulture if he had an R next to his name. Of yes, we’ve already seen that.
We have a president now who is senile. Don't try to tell me Dems aren't trash. The problem with logic like yours is we continually stay in a corrupt state, ruled by corrupt parties that dont care about Americans.
Senile? Why, because he is old? Or because he has a lifelong stutter? Or maybe the real issue is that you don't agree with his politics and there's no other solid issue you can argue with.
I watched my father die of dementia, Biden exhibits none of the symptoms. He's not a great speaker, and he's a bit too moderate for my tastes but he has quietly upheld rule of law and made necessary decisions.
There are problems on 'both sides', of course. That does not excuse you from participation. If you don't like the corruption get involved! I did so a number of years ago, recognizing that (at the local level at least) I could directly influence who was running and support the best candidates. And if you don't like donor influence I suggest you get involved with any of the movements to get money out of politics.
Robert, I feel very similar to Rosie Rees. After following Trump, I fear for our democracy and want to help the Democrats hold on for dear life. Corruption is rampant all over the world and the USA is no different. I am frustrated and have the time to act now.
What do you suggest I do to help our cause even more? Donations help, but I feel I can do a lot more to help save our democracy.
Get involved Rick. There are many groups you can work with - your local Democratic party, Indivisible, and many others, some who focus on specific issues and others that are general. But keep in mind that having an impact involves patience. It's a long fight and it will take long term commitment for best effect, so pace yourself. Step out for a bit if you get exhausted, but don't wear yourself out in the first year. And keep ethics in the foreground. Too many will excuse someone in 'their' group instead of holding them accountable.
Agreed ........... a helicopter view. I know I lead discussion thinking views here in Australia; and you do to in USA. Perhaps getting messages into the Chambers; picking on Leaders of Power; drip feeding into media. Messages clear simple logic reasoning; not too many a week (so that ordinary people can process it).
And also a lot of your readers are communicating / in contract with Community Minded people; who are in contact with their communities. We called it the Bush Telegraph in Africa!
I raised it in Facebook discussion re the last election, that The People will be talking about Trump now (then) as a fool; women in particular will now vote him out!
I believe that this forum could be a conduit to bring about change the USA desperately needs. And we desperately want to see .............
I hate to say it, but maybe we, the Dems, need to have the selfish partisan adhesion that the Republicans have. We can’t beat them by being divided and fair.
Hi Rosie, I feel that President Biden is doing a lot for climate change and he's dragging our reluctant Australian Prime Minister into action alongside him. That's a major achievement, believe me. I suspect that you have made a mistake that I've often made and that is to do too much because you care too much. You may find it works better if you just do one or two activities, even though you feel tempted to do more. That stops you feeling hopeless but it still makes a difference. Hope that idea helps a bit.
Thank you, Rosemary. I know Biden has taken unilateral steps to restore climate regulations abandoned by Trump. But we need a much more comprehensive and long term plan to defeat climate change in this country and that requires Congress to act. As to your suggestion about pulling back, I recently came to the same conclusion, but it is still difficult to read the news every day and keep my hopes up.
At 29 years old, it appears that I'm one of your younger readers! I was galvanized into political action in 2016 and now consume a lot of political content, but I very much appreciate your insight in particular! In hindsight I don't think I've been critical enough of the Democratic party because I was so desperate for any alternative to fascism, but now I just find myself upset that given the chance, we seemingly haven't made any real progress on climate, wealth inequality, campaign finance reform, or the filibuster. So I'm looking for people like you and Larry Lessig to help me understand and maybe give me a sliver of hope about how we can actually REALIZE the progress that always seems to be just over the horizon, yet never in reach.
Andy, thank you for commenting -- you're focused exactly on what's important. So many Americans are justifiably relieved now that the former guy is out of office, but for all the reasons you mentioned, now is not the moment to rest on our laurels. We need to keep fighting for the future we want.
How do we get Senators like Manchin and his ilk to realize they are empowering the Republican blockades and stealing the short chance we have to make progress and show more shallow Americans that we AREN’T useless like the Rs.
The current guy is the most obvious totalitarian I have seen in decades. Do you support totalitarianism? If you don't, then you must oppose Biden and start condemning him.
Your comment is so far off base. Biden has worked tirelessly his entire life for our country, always putting the good of the country which includes everyone, and their rights, first. It’s so easy to throw labels around on social media. Your statement is simply not true.
The only thing Biden works on tirelessly is his morning applesauce and his evening pudding. I have been in DC since the 60's and I've actually observed Biden's performance since the 70's. He was widely regarded (by Democrats and Republicans) as the dumbest man in the Senate. Even Obama said never underestimate Joe's ability to eff things up. Yes, Obama actually said that.
YOU ARE ONCE AGAIN MISTAKEN, CHECK YOUR FACTS. You sound like an idiot with these comments which are false.
President Obama awarded outgoing Vice President Biden the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Calling the former longtime Delaware senator "the best vice president America's ever had" and a "lion of American history," Obama gave his White House partner the surprise award in an emotional ceremony, initially billed as a farewell.
After extolling the job that Biden has done, Obama ended it with the unexpected news that he was giving the vice president the nation's highest civilian honor, with distinction — a designation most recently given to President Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul II and Gen. Colin Powell.
In addition, Biden has given us the most diverse administration in history. He’s working at break-neck speed to correct Trump’s destructive mess. To say both parties are the same when the republicans are supporting fascism and authoritarianism is quite deluded. I agree with you. We will not tolerate people misrepresenting facts.
Andy, because both parties are corrupt to the core. They don't work for us. They work for their donors. This is a failed battle if somehow corruption isn't mitigated. That's the entire game. It's that simple. Obama was also controlled by those same forces.
If Robert and others don't provide an answer to corruption, nothing will ever change. Politicians are liars. We need to treat them like such and not celebrities. Sigh.
I remember saying democracy as we know it may be over when the SCOTUS made the "Citizens United" decision. Of course, it was nothing new. The ultra rich has influenced the court since the early 1900's
There is corruption on both sides but there is NO COMPARISON between Dems and Republicans. If you can’t understand that, you need to expand your news sources. I do wish the Biden admin would get the Trump crime family and others in prison where they belong. We are all getting impatient.
People like you are the problem. Thinking one party is good and one bad. It's 1 party with 2 branches. Same corrupt a holes. that's why nothing ever changes.
Do you read before you write a comment? Doesn’t appear so. Ok republican plant you aren’t going to waste my time further. You can’t differentiate between a party supporting a deadly coup and a whole section of progressives working tirelessly for people. You’re drinking too much cool-aid.
Corruption is not the correct term for most politicians. They aren't corrupt, but they are too concerned with the process of reelection rather than the business of governing. Some like Manchin are TOO concerned and kowtow to the corporate interests like the coal industry that fund him. We have tried eliminating that problem, but the Republicans came back at us with Citizens United, which the Supreme Court upheld the rights of corporations to fund election campaigns. THIS is what has eaten away at the one person one vote idea of democracy. The Electoral College is also an albatross on the neck of democracy when the founding fathers caved to the slave states to get the Constitution ratified. THESE are two of the biggest issues we need to eliminate. Another is the filibuster which is NOT a constitutional process.
I agree. Biden promised when he campaigned that nothing would change. If he does not change things for the better for working Americans, the Democratic party is doomed and so is the United States. The one thing that absolutely has to happen to fix America, is that you have to get money out of our politics. You have to have publically funded campaigns and outlaw legalized bribery i.e. lobbying. The American people could fix the rest. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of Legislators that are willing to do this and Biden is not one of them.
There are only a handful of citizens that recognize that the monied run our country, but they still think they should vote for those receiving the spoils of our system.
I am 80 with a progressive, incurable lung disease, on oxygen and in a wheelchair. Though my world has been physically limited my mental and spiritual spaces have opened all the more widely. This is just one more avenue of awareness and understanding for me. Thank you!
Also, having painted for a number of years, I enjoy the visual stiulation!
I read many of your books and posts and listened to many of your videos and appreciate the way you bring clarity and understanding to public policy and American politics. I feel you have good values that I share and your writings and videos are grounded in logical reasoning and love of country. It helps me make sense of the confusion of information in today's media and social networks. Your contributions are educational and make me a better and informed citizen. Your contribution to the nation, educating so many of us on these complex but serious matters, is immense. I believe you found the right format in today's time (short, informative, fun, educational) and avenues (social media, newsletters, email, print, cable interviews...) to reach a large audience and make a huge impact. I am sure it takes a lot of work on you part and I am impressed about your productivity. I express my appreciation for the service you provide by subscribing to this newsletter in order to support your ongoing effort.
I’m with you!! FOX and the others are destroying America more than any outside influence like Russia. So many people can’t be blamed for believing so much that they hear on FOX. How can we get them off the air and charged with the treason they are committing?
For me it is getting the information about what is at risk. I don't have answers, but I don't want to have my head in the sand about the gravity of what is at stake. I like specifics to pray about. I also like to feel I can pass information on when it comes up in conversation with family and friends.
I am a Keynesian and feminist economist and an ordained and leftie pastor. I did my undergrad economics training in the Reagan years, during the rise of New Classical macroeconomics, figuring out what was conceptually ill-founded, and what dishonestly sold as I learned.
I am hoping to help move the Democratic Party away from its reactive stance to the promotion of a big goal, with explanation of how each desired policy works toward it. So long as we merely react to the GOP we are shrunk into their nominal stance* of being for or against each policy rather than looking toward and explaining what policy is meant to achieve.
I would like to see the Democratic Party (or any other) announce a goal of sustainability and equity for our communities, states, nation, and world. I think that's an excellent goal, widely desirable, and that where we don't fall into the dead end of GOP paradigms, where Dei policies tend.
I think that for the US electorate in general to get behind that goal requires little but announcing it. To develop understanding of how proposed policy serves the goal of sustainability and equity requires explanation. You are a premier explainer, and I appreciate your work very much.
* As they have abandoned any pretense of followthrough on stated goals it's clearly all greed and gaming with them.
Keep doing what you are doing. You are making America Great Again!!
The Black community needs you so much because you have the "Cain't Hep It's" (I can't help it) when it comes to educating large urban areas around the country like Chicago/Northwest Indiana through your Facebook posts.
You bring a unique perspective because your lectures and presentations are filled with easy-to-understand facts, cartoons and pictures. We could never thank you enough!!
I’m a warrior for truth as the only path to freedom but I feel like I’m drowning in a sea of mendacity and never did I think that one man, with social media as his partner, could sow such venom and hatred which was deeply infected our social fabric.
Your insight and opinions resonate with me. After retiring from full-time work a few years ago, and seeing how little progress our nation is making on critical issues, I wanted to get more informed and involved to influence the direction of our country. Ideally, the world for my children and grandchildren will be a better place for them, with a better climate, more equality among people and a safer place. I look forward to your newsletters, drawings, posts and tweets.
65 yo Japanese Am female, mother of 1. 37 years CICU RN, still working, $97k/60 hrs ppp. Prior AF brat, Dad was career pilot, Vietnam POW, Mom stayed at home. I am a minority not because of my ethnicity, but because I am a “Have”. I am greatly distressed by the flagrant, obscene inequality that DEFINES THE USA. You waste no words Mr. Reich, and I am here to hear every one of them. I am hoping for rational, concrete, actionable ideas from you that will rally the socially conscious to do what is necessary to Finally Establish a True Democracy.
I have an idea: The Great Retiring has already begun. These folks will be the last comfortable generation for sometime to come. The choice of retirement means they have reached a level of security that the Vast Most do not have, will not have. What if They/We/I put off retirement for just one year, and donate those earnings to a cause they believe will effect change and make a difference, towards building equality, safety, and comfort For All…
for some of us the choice of retirement was either medical as in my late husband's case. He would have died at work if he had stayed another year to collect a few dollars more in SS. And myself who took SS early so I could be home to help him over the last 6 yrs of his life. Now at 68, in a pandemic time with covid long haul symptoms finally abating...I cannot see myself going back to work. But it would be nice if SS were actually what we paid into.
I feel myself moving every day further toward the liberal side. Republican goals are antisocial, pro-corporation endeavors intent on reducing or eliminating vital programs, especially those that make America a good place to live. The skew of wealth upwards and the escalating difficulty of the lower middle class to advance in life worries me because I see nothing being done to balance it. My grown children face more economic challenges than I did at their age. I am now a senior, a woman, disabled, a grandmother, and yet still an active citizen who sees hard times coming unless Biden's programs come to maturity. The Republicans must realize that they are not on the side of the average American and their falsehoods are increasingly more transparent to most of us.
I appreciate your insightful and clear descriptions of the challenges we face. Unlike the overly-simplified ideas of the Right, diverse and inclusive concepts are much more nuanced and - as a result - much more difficult to explain. Thank you for your entertaining approach to bringing ideas to life.
Been following you for over a year. Love your drawings and appreciate your candid explanations regarding the mess we're in. Lately a lot has been written about how Republicans are setting up for the 2022 and 2024 elections. I am angry and frustrated with the blatant scheming and lying and hypocrisy we see every day in our political system and it just seems to be getting worse. Trump’s bs is bad enough but then there's Marjorie Taylor Green making horrible, violent political ads and statements. Lauren Boebert does the same and uses campaign funds for her personal expenses. Why aren’t they being held accountable for their actions? Trump and his ilk are out of control and they continue to get away with their shenanigans. How can this keep happening? Everyday people can’t get caught stealing or driving drunk or making “terroristic threats” or let their dog bark endlessly without repercussions. Trump republicans shamelessly and fearlessly flaunt their corruption. Where’s the same outrage that forced Al Franken to resign for his “indiscretions”? The Republicans' actions are so much worse. I feel helpless and worried about our future and often wonder if there’s anything rational people can do to make any or all of them accountable before the elections. I'd walk to Washington to protest if it would do any good.
I am constantly looking for 'the' answer to this political dilemma the republicans have presented us with. They have managed find a way to outwit the demographics that we all thought would eventually put them in their place, a permanent minority. Between delegitimizing our elections, placing the outcome of close elections in the hands of republican legislators, gerrymandering districts, and denying minorities the sacred right to vote, they have secured most future elections for their side. I don't know how we counter this, especially since tRump was able to pack the supreme court with radical right-wing nut-jobs. What can we do?
Reading the prior comments, I see my profile is very similar to your other readers. I am a 70-year old retired lawyer who now regrets all those years of yelling at the radio and television about what was happening in our country, yet doing nothing about it except voting and making occasional campaign donations. Even after Trump announced he was running for president and I began really fearing for our country, I still didn't step up, because I was working full time and "didn't have the time", and I didn't believe he'd actually get elected. I finally woke up on November 9, 2016, and started to do my part. I became a leader of our local and state Indivisible organizations, organizing postcards, canvassing, phone banking, text banking, marches, rallies, newsletters, etc. Unfortunately, almost five years later, I am exhausted and still fearing for our country. Biden and the Democrats have not delivered as I had hoped. Nine months in we still don't have voting rights protections, infrastructure remediation, long-term climate change solutions, or a fair and balanced Supreme Court. The right-wing Republicans are truly on a rampage and predicted to take control of Congress in 2022. Now I am fighting against hopelessness.
Rosie, I get it. I've been at it for a long time, and every day I also have to fight against feelings of frustration and outrage. Occasionally, I also have to fight against hopelessness. But I've found that the most powerful tonic for these feelings is to actively fight the forces that are threatening our society and the world -- racism, xenophobia, misogyny, Trumpism, ignorance, and fear -- and to organize, mobilize, and energize others against them as well.
Robert, you didn't mention corruption!
Both parties are trash. Ruled by donors. Please spare us the lecture that Dems are better.
We are a country based on laws. The tenets of our many laws apply to all facets of our society. As for the Democrats vs Republicans, I can only offer this basic tenet of law. I paraphrase “If you aid and abet a thing, you become that thing.” Based on this tenet, I ask “What has the Republican Party become.” The answer is clear for the majority of the free world.
GOP talking point, "he did it too, he did it too". One party, the GOP is definitley more trash than the Dems for sure. The Dems are not pushing the big election lie, trashing the rule of law, the economy, and education in order to crash Democracy because it gets in their way; the GOP is doing that! The Dems are just playing politics as usual.
Both parties are riddled with corruption, but don’t try to tell me that Republicans aren’t worse. They have no sense of country first. They would follow a one eyed vulture if he had an R next to his name. Of yes, we’ve already seen that.
We have a president now who is senile. Don't try to tell me Dems aren't trash. The problem with logic like yours is we continually stay in a corrupt state, ruled by corrupt parties that dont care about Americans.
Senile? Why, because he is old? Or because he has a lifelong stutter? Or maybe the real issue is that you don't agree with his politics and there's no other solid issue you can argue with.
I watched my father die of dementia, Biden exhibits none of the symptoms. He's not a great speaker, and he's a bit too moderate for my tastes but he has quietly upheld rule of law and made necessary decisions.
There are problems on 'both sides', of course. That does not excuse you from participation. If you don't like the corruption get involved! I did so a number of years ago, recognizing that (at the local level at least) I could directly influence who was running and support the best candidates. And if you don't like donor influence I suggest you get involved with any of the movements to get money out of politics.
Robert, I feel very similar to Rosie Rees. After following Trump, I fear for our democracy and want to help the Democrats hold on for dear life. Corruption is rampant all over the world and the USA is no different. I am frustrated and have the time to act now.
What do you suggest I do to help our cause even more? Donations help, but I feel I can do a lot more to help save our democracy.
Thank you, Robert!
Get involved Rick. There are many groups you can work with - your local Democratic party, Indivisible, and many others, some who focus on specific issues and others that are general. But keep in mind that having an impact involves patience. It's a long fight and it will take long term commitment for best effect, so pace yourself. Step out for a bit if you get exhausted, but don't wear yourself out in the first year. And keep ethics in the foreground. Too many will excuse someone in 'their' group instead of holding them accountable.
Thanks Randy. I will join my local Democratic Party in Alameda.
This will be a start.
Happy new year 🎆
Rick
Agreed ........... a helicopter view. I know I lead discussion thinking views here in Australia; and you do to in USA. Perhaps getting messages into the Chambers; picking on Leaders of Power; drip feeding into media. Messages clear simple logic reasoning; not too many a week (so that ordinary people can process it).
Defined Target Audience!
And also a lot of your readers are communicating / in contract with Community Minded people; who are in contact with their communities. We called it the Bush Telegraph in Africa!
I raised it in Facebook discussion re the last election, that The People will be talking about Trump now (then) as a fool; women in particular will now vote him out!
I believe that this forum could be a conduit to bring about change the USA desperately needs. And we desperately want to see .............
I hate to say it, but maybe we, the Dems, need to have the selfish partisan adhesion that the Republicans have. We can’t beat them by being divided and fair.
Hi Rosie, I feel that President Biden is doing a lot for climate change and he's dragging our reluctant Australian Prime Minister into action alongside him. That's a major achievement, believe me. I suspect that you have made a mistake that I've often made and that is to do too much because you care too much. You may find it works better if you just do one or two activities, even though you feel tempted to do more. That stops you feeling hopeless but it still makes a difference. Hope that idea helps a bit.
Thank you, Rosemary. I know Biden has taken unilateral steps to restore climate regulations abandoned by Trump. But we need a much more comprehensive and long term plan to defeat climate change in this country and that requires Congress to act. As to your suggestion about pulling back, I recently came to the same conclusion, but it is still difficult to read the news every day and keep my hopes up.
Stay strong. There’s always hope.
At 29 years old, it appears that I'm one of your younger readers! I was galvanized into political action in 2016 and now consume a lot of political content, but I very much appreciate your insight in particular! In hindsight I don't think I've been critical enough of the Democratic party because I was so desperate for any alternative to fascism, but now I just find myself upset that given the chance, we seemingly haven't made any real progress on climate, wealth inequality, campaign finance reform, or the filibuster. So I'm looking for people like you and Larry Lessig to help me understand and maybe give me a sliver of hope about how we can actually REALIZE the progress that always seems to be just over the horizon, yet never in reach.
Andy, thank you for commenting -- you're focused exactly on what's important. So many Americans are justifiably relieved now that the former guy is out of office, but for all the reasons you mentioned, now is not the moment to rest on our laurels. We need to keep fighting for the future we want.
How do we get Senators like Manchin and his ilk to realize they are empowering the Republican blockades and stealing the short chance we have to make progress and show more shallow Americans that we AREN’T useless like the Rs.
The current guy is the most obvious totalitarian I have seen in decades. Do you support totalitarianism? If you don't, then you must oppose Biden and start condemning him.
Your comment is so far off base. Biden has worked tirelessly his entire life for our country, always putting the good of the country which includes everyone, and their rights, first. It’s so easy to throw labels around on social media. Your statement is simply not true.
The only thing Biden works on tirelessly is his morning applesauce and his evening pudding. I have been in DC since the 60's and I've actually observed Biden's performance since the 70's. He was widely regarded (by Democrats and Republicans) as the dumbest man in the Senate. Even Obama said never underestimate Joe's ability to eff things up. Yes, Obama actually said that.
YOU ARE ONCE AGAIN MISTAKEN, CHECK YOUR FACTS. You sound like an idiot with these comments which are false.
President Obama awarded outgoing Vice President Biden the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Calling the former longtime Delaware senator "the best vice president America's ever had" and a "lion of American history," Obama gave his White House partner the surprise award in an emotional ceremony, initially billed as a farewell.
After extolling the job that Biden has done, Obama ended it with the unexpected news that he was giving the vice president the nation's highest civilian honor, with distinction — a designation most recently given to President Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul II and Gen. Colin Powell.
In addition, Biden has given us the most diverse administration in history. He’s working at break-neck speed to correct Trump’s destructive mess. To say both parties are the same when the republicans are supporting fascism and authoritarianism is quite deluded. I agree with you. We will not tolerate people misrepresenting facts.
"One Democrat who spoke to Obama recalled the former president warning, 'Don’t underestimate Joe’s ability to fuck things up.' " Maybe you should read Politico once in a while. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/08/14/obama-biden-relationship-393570
Idiots are people who refuse to see what is in front of their noses.
you bet!
Andy, because both parties are corrupt to the core. They don't work for us. They work for their donors. This is a failed battle if somehow corruption isn't mitigated. That's the entire game. It's that simple. Obama was also controlled by those same forces.
If Robert and others don't provide an answer to corruption, nothing will ever change. Politicians are liars. We need to treat them like such and not celebrities. Sigh.
They're self serving not public servants.
I remember saying democracy as we know it may be over when the SCOTUS made the "Citizens United" decision. Of course, it was nothing new. The ultra rich has influenced the court since the early 1900's
There is corruption on both sides but there is NO COMPARISON between Dems and Republicans. If you can’t understand that, you need to expand your news sources. I do wish the Biden admin would get the Trump crime family and others in prison where they belong. We are all getting impatient.
People like you are the problem. Thinking one party is good and one bad. It's 1 party with 2 branches. Same corrupt a holes. that's why nothing ever changes.
Do you read before you write a comment? Doesn’t appear so. Ok republican plant you aren’t going to waste my time further. You can’t differentiate between a party supporting a deadly coup and a whole section of progressives working tirelessly for people. You’re drinking too much cool-aid.
Wake up sheep. There are Dems tanking the reconciliation bill. They dont care about Americans. Neither party does.
Corruption is not the correct term for most politicians. They aren't corrupt, but they are too concerned with the process of reelection rather than the business of governing. Some like Manchin are TOO concerned and kowtow to the corporate interests like the coal industry that fund him. We have tried eliminating that problem, but the Republicans came back at us with Citizens United, which the Supreme Court upheld the rights of corporations to fund election campaigns. THIS is what has eaten away at the one person one vote idea of democracy. The Electoral College is also an albatross on the neck of democracy when the founding fathers caved to the slave states to get the Constitution ratified. THESE are two of the biggest issues we need to eliminate. Another is the filibuster which is NOT a constitutional process.
I agree. Biden promised when he campaigned that nothing would change. If he does not change things for the better for working Americans, the Democratic party is doomed and so is the United States. The one thing that absolutely has to happen to fix America, is that you have to get money out of our politics. You have to have publically funded campaigns and outlaw legalized bribery i.e. lobbying. The American people could fix the rest. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of Legislators that are willing to do this and Biden is not one of them.
There are only a handful of citizens that recognize that the monied run our country, but they still think they should vote for those receiving the spoils of our system.
I am 80 with a progressive, incurable lung disease, on oxygen and in a wheelchair. Though my world has been physically limited my mental and spiritual spaces have opened all the more widely. This is just one more avenue of awareness and understanding for me. Thank you!
Also, having painted for a number of years, I enjoy the visual stiulation!
Wow, you sound like you're having a tough time but you're very brave. Wishing you well.
I read many of your books and posts and listened to many of your videos and appreciate the way you bring clarity and understanding to public policy and American politics. I feel you have good values that I share and your writings and videos are grounded in logical reasoning and love of country. It helps me make sense of the confusion of information in today's media and social networks. Your contributions are educational and make me a better and informed citizen. Your contribution to the nation, educating so many of us on these complex but serious matters, is immense. I believe you found the right format in today's time (short, informative, fun, educational) and avenues (social media, newsletters, email, print, cable interviews...) to reach a large audience and make a huge impact. I am sure it takes a lot of work on you part and I am impressed about your productivity. I express my appreciation for the service you provide by subscribing to this newsletter in order to support your ongoing effort.
Thanks!
So appreciate your point of view.
You are an inspiration.
Cannot believe Murdoch, Fox News, Trump and all those Republican senators are still not in prison as traitors. Where are the loyal US citizens?
I’m with you!! FOX and the others are destroying America more than any outside influence like Russia. So many people can’t be blamed for believing so much that they hear on FOX. How can we get them off the air and charged with the treason they are committing?
For me it is getting the information about what is at risk. I don't have answers, but I don't want to have my head in the sand about the gravity of what is at stake. I like specifics to pray about. I also like to feel I can pass information on when it comes up in conversation with family and friends.
I am a Keynesian and feminist economist and an ordained and leftie pastor. I did my undergrad economics training in the Reagan years, during the rise of New Classical macroeconomics, figuring out what was conceptually ill-founded, and what dishonestly sold as I learned.
I am hoping to help move the Democratic Party away from its reactive stance to the promotion of a big goal, with explanation of how each desired policy works toward it. So long as we merely react to the GOP we are shrunk into their nominal stance* of being for or against each policy rather than looking toward and explaining what policy is meant to achieve.
I would like to see the Democratic Party (or any other) announce a goal of sustainability and equity for our communities, states, nation, and world. I think that's an excellent goal, widely desirable, and that where we don't fall into the dead end of GOP paradigms, where Dei policies tend.
I think that for the US electorate in general to get behind that goal requires little but announcing it. To develop understanding of how proposed policy serves the goal of sustainability and equity requires explanation. You are a premier explainer, and I appreciate your work very much.
* As they have abandoned any pretense of followthrough on stated goals it's clearly all greed and gaming with them.
Keep doing what you are doing. You are making America Great Again!!
The Black community needs you so much because you have the "Cain't Hep It's" (I can't help it) when it comes to educating large urban areas around the country like Chicago/Northwest Indiana through your Facebook posts.
You bring a unique perspective because your lectures and presentations are filled with easy-to-understand facts, cartoons and pictures. We could never thank you enough!!
I’m a warrior for truth as the only path to freedom but I feel like I’m drowning in a sea of mendacity and never did I think that one man, with social media as his partner, could sow such venom and hatred which was deeply infected our social fabric.
Your insight and opinions resonate with me. After retiring from full-time work a few years ago, and seeing how little progress our nation is making on critical issues, I wanted to get more informed and involved to influence the direction of our country. Ideally, the world for my children and grandchildren will be a better place for them, with a better climate, more equality among people and a safer place. I look forward to your newsletters, drawings, posts and tweets.
65 yo Japanese Am female, mother of 1. 37 years CICU RN, still working, $97k/60 hrs ppp. Prior AF brat, Dad was career pilot, Vietnam POW, Mom stayed at home. I am a minority not because of my ethnicity, but because I am a “Have”. I am greatly distressed by the flagrant, obscene inequality that DEFINES THE USA. You waste no words Mr. Reich, and I am here to hear every one of them. I am hoping for rational, concrete, actionable ideas from you that will rally the socially conscious to do what is necessary to Finally Establish a True Democracy.
I have an idea: The Great Retiring has already begun. These folks will be the last comfortable generation for sometime to come. The choice of retirement means they have reached a level of security that the Vast Most do not have, will not have. What if They/We/I put off retirement for just one year, and donate those earnings to a cause they believe will effect change and make a difference, towards building equality, safety, and comfort For All…
for some of us the choice of retirement was either medical as in my late husband's case. He would have died at work if he had stayed another year to collect a few dollars more in SS. And myself who took SS early so I could be home to help him over the last 6 yrs of his life. Now at 68, in a pandemic time with covid long haul symptoms finally abating...I cannot see myself going back to work. But it would be nice if SS were actually what we paid into.
I feel myself moving every day further toward the liberal side. Republican goals are antisocial, pro-corporation endeavors intent on reducing or eliminating vital programs, especially those that make America a good place to live. The skew of wealth upwards and the escalating difficulty of the lower middle class to advance in life worries me because I see nothing being done to balance it. My grown children face more economic challenges than I did at their age. I am now a senior, a woman, disabled, a grandmother, and yet still an active citizen who sees hard times coming unless Biden's programs come to maturity. The Republicans must realize that they are not on the side of the average American and their falsehoods are increasingly more transparent to most of us.
Scary 😎
I appreciate your insightful and clear descriptions of the challenges we face. Unlike the overly-simplified ideas of the Right, diverse and inclusive concepts are much more nuanced and - as a result - much more difficult to explain. Thank you for your entertaining approach to bringing ideas to life.
Been following you for over a year. Love your drawings and appreciate your candid explanations regarding the mess we're in. Lately a lot has been written about how Republicans are setting up for the 2022 and 2024 elections. I am angry and frustrated with the blatant scheming and lying and hypocrisy we see every day in our political system and it just seems to be getting worse. Trump’s bs is bad enough but then there's Marjorie Taylor Green making horrible, violent political ads and statements. Lauren Boebert does the same and uses campaign funds for her personal expenses. Why aren’t they being held accountable for their actions? Trump and his ilk are out of control and they continue to get away with their shenanigans. How can this keep happening? Everyday people can’t get caught stealing or driving drunk or making “terroristic threats” or let their dog bark endlessly without repercussions. Trump republicans shamelessly and fearlessly flaunt their corruption. Where’s the same outrage that forced Al Franken to resign for his “indiscretions”? The Republicans' actions are so much worse. I feel helpless and worried about our future and often wonder if there’s anything rational people can do to make any or all of them accountable before the elections. I'd walk to Washington to protest if it would do any good.
I trust all you say and fight for Robert Reich. You are the refreshing voice of truth and wisdom to me.
I am constantly looking for 'the' answer to this political dilemma the republicans have presented us with. They have managed find a way to outwit the demographics that we all thought would eventually put them in their place, a permanent minority. Between delegitimizing our elections, placing the outcome of close elections in the hands of republican legislators, gerrymandering districts, and denying minorities the sacred right to vote, they have secured most future elections for their side. I don't know how we counter this, especially since tRump was able to pack the supreme court with radical right-wing nut-jobs. What can we do?
true JC, i too want to help save our original democracy
by the way, neither party cares about Americans.
...that's simply NOT true. One party DOES care. That party is lead by Joe Biden.
Keep being brainwashed by cable news. hahahhahaa
Nothing ever changes. How are ppl so manipulated?
My thoughts exactly.