Friends,
V Spehar invited me to join them today to talk about how we should deal with America’s aging politicians — our “gerontocracy.”
I’m something of an expert on the subject because I’ve been around politicians for over 50 years. Also I’m getting up there (I’ll be 79 years old soon).
And I recently retired from teaching because I didn’t want to give students anything less than my best. So I know how difficult it is to give up a job you love.
But, as I mention to V, we need a system that allows the relatively few old people who continue to do wonderfully well — look at Bernie Sanders, at the spry age of 83; I know few people half his age with as much energy and intelligence — to keep at it.
We discuss the possible answers, and much more.
Bernie is amazing! So thankful he’s still SO involved!
Use this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to your own reps, as well as those in other states on a specific committee important to a topic you’re sharing. Use your voice and make some “good trouble.”
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit?usp=drivesdk
If the Dem Party was more imaginative and youthful, more thoughtful, and less fearful of Trump in the 2016 campaign, Bernie would have just finished up his second Whitehouse term last January, and the country would be in terrific shape. Bernie is still hotter than Biden or Trump could ever be, and "Looks and Brains" Harris, or Elizabeth Warren could be in the Oval Office now.
If only. What the Democratic Party did to Bernie was absolutely terrible. They lost a lot of my trust and support the way they treated him
Twice.
Ugh. True. I hope there’s an alternate universe somewhere where he was president. The people would be so much better off!
The whole world will be better off.
I love the Bern, but have never thought the nation was smart enough to elect him, b/c he runs under a term, "socialist dem" that scares people, tho we are a combo of democratic and socialist programs, thank god.
This is an amazing tool, did you put it together? Either way, thank you!
I did! I’m still adding to it, but Senate, House and most of what I could find for Trump’s Cabinet is done. Next up, news organizations!
Maybe you could partner with inequality media and they could post a version on this on their media sites. Seems like a great tool that anyone can use to get more engaged in politics.
I’ve been sharing it for almost 3 months now, hoping for something bigger to happen other than me sharing it all over (maybe annoyingly 😅). So far no luck. I do think ultimately there’s a reason why the information isn’t easily all in one place on a government site, but I think it needs to be. I am waiting to see if any links expire because staffers change them so they’re not as easily accessible 🤪
It would be easy enough to put this up online with a decent format and functionality, but the biggest challenge is reach. That's where a group like Inequality Media could really take it to the next level. Robert Reich always talks about getting more engaged, and this seems like a fantastic tool to help people do so. It would be great if the Federal government would offer this, but it won't happen as long as disenfranchisement is a dominant strategy in politics (much more on the side of Republicans, but not quite absent on the Democrat side).
There’s an organization working to put it into a website/app! They’ve updated all the Senator pieces, but I didn’t have the Committees listed when they started making it. Here’s the link to what they’re working on
https://callyourrep.glide.page/dl/6471c6
Looks good for a prototype, but I wouldn't launch that without having at least one competent programmer review it. If it is not reliable it will become discredited, and if you don't host it yourself (or the org working on it), you don't really own it and it can go away. I would explore other platforms rather than using Glide, but that's just me.
Good to know! I really don’t have a connection with it/the organization since they reached out to me to say thank you for putting the information in one place so they more quickly fill out what they had envisioned for the site. Hopefully they’re trying to push it out over and over like I do my spreadsheet just to keep reaching more people to speak up 🤞💙
This is great but could you put it in Excel?
I don’t have Excel since I believe it has to be paid for nowadays? I haven’t tried since I don’t have the program but can you download it as an Excel document? I have PDF documents of it if that’d work for you. My email is listed on the spreadsheet, just email me if you need them :)
I like the idea of this spreadsheet. Thank you for putting your time and knowledge into making it. It is wonderful that you’ve managed to find someone who is interested in developing it as an app. This seems to me to be what we need. Thank you!
As to comments I see here about the Democratic Party not coming through for Bernie Sanders, I’m an aging hippie of sorts. { I think this is the box that people would put me in). I’m not a politician or a techie, but I do read the news, and form opinions on what I see. As I remember it in 2016 Bernie Sanders had a lot going for him and I felt he would make an excellent president if he could manage to be elected. At that time he was an independent who caucused with Democrats When he announced that he was running as a candidate for the presidency in the Democratic primaries, I was glad - glad and confused. He wasn’t a Democrat, yet he was running in the Democratic primaries . In my state, (New York) one needed to be a member of the party to even vote in the primary, given that, how could he be the party’s candidate? He could have joined the party but didn’t. Like I said, I’m not a politician and I know that there are many things I don’t know but it seems that if he was unwilling or morally unable to become a Democrat, why would anyone expect the party to back him? I did contribute both money and my time to his campaign and I’m sure he and party leaders must have tried to come to an equitable solution, but far as I know, they didn’t work it out. I think life would have been so much better if they had, but I don’t think they robbed him or anything like that.
I do think that this is something that MAGA people and others who want to sow division on the Left have been able to use for their purposes. In these days ot tribal politics we can’t afford to focus on these things. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY! We can’t refight the arguments of 2016 while Democracy dies. I don’t know how to put this all aside and I’m hoping there are people who do know. I believe that Bernie and AOC and others have very important messages for us and I’d follow where they lead into the future.
Thanks for reminding us that Bernie's Independent status in fact, could render him unavailable to be the DNC choice --even if other issues weren't in play (which they were!)
WOW Megan that is an awesome spreadsheet! Thank you!
Thank you! I’m proud of it! And hope it helps others find it easier to speak up!
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
You’re welcome! Thanks for speaking up right now!
It seems as though trump wants to kill off our seniors. Makes sense in that we cost the system a lot of money and culturally we are dispensable. Clear as day to me. Seniors have little political power as a whole. Kind of reminds me of eugenics. Bullies always pick weak people to subjugate.
Except we vote in record numbers and we will bury them if they come after Social Security.
Losing a lot of older people at once would present a lot of problems for our society. They do a lot of caretaking. They are teachers and mentors. Many people do their best work in their last 20 years when they finally have time.
There are people who will not admit when it is time to go out to pasture. Don’t lump us all together.
Many of the “retirees” I know do a great deal of volunteer work. Consider how much that would cost even at minimum wage.
Covid was so effective at emptying the Nursing Homes and killing the elderly, that our country’s life expectancy went down. That may explain why they stopped counting COVID deaths and are cutting off immunizations for the general population. If they can kill enough of us old people they can destroy Medicare and Social Security.
I think that seniors have a lot of power. Think of the AARP and the cry that will arise if Trump tries to diminish Social Security.
I am glad to hear that. I have become progressively more liberal as the decades passed. The more education and experience I acquired the more I realized how things work. My family are Trumpsters. They seem more quiet about it now.
I think a lot of old folks voted for the current regime. But they aren’t on here.
No old person in my family did.
I bet they didn’t …! It’s a split in my family, 3 for Trump, 3 against with my oldest sister and youngest brother voting for the TACO!
Stephen.....Yeah he does pick on the weak and vulnerable, but there are a lot of us old cookies still out there ready to fight. At these protests that I have been to are mostly seniors and we are mad as hell what he is doing to this country and our democracy is shameful!!! Keep fighting and go to every protest you find. The next one is June 14th NO KINGS!!!
Right… the country spends a couple trillion a year on seniors… almost entirely funded by far younger workers… yet the richest generation in history is perpetually the victim?
“They” kept my son out of school for almost 2 years to protect the silver fox set from a virus that largely effected the old and unhealthy and posed minimal risk to healthy children…
…5 years later we’re still fighting to get him caught up.
Best hopes for spending public resources on programs most likely to provide a positive return to society.
Gee Kurt, Social Security has been paying out benefits for 85 years. I've been paying into it since 16, in the service at 17 and a long career since. Reagan fixed it in the 80's and we had four FICA increases since. That built up a trust that will run out in 2035 and it will need to be fixed again prior to this. When I worked my contributions paid for the then retired. Some day you will be collecting a benefit as well. As long as we have payroll deduction and FICA there will be Social Security benefits. Better that than turning old people into Soylent Green. Remember; Soylent Green is people. LOL
All we have to do to save Social Security is to raise the cap, currently $176,100.
That means a person who earns $200,000 pays in the same amount as a person who earns $176,100. A person who earns $1,000,000 pays in the same amount as a person who earns $176,100. A person who earns $100,000,000 pays in the same amount as a person who earns $176,100. And so on.
Raise the cap to $1,000,000 or better still infinity & the system will be solvent forever.
Some people have suggested a different cap. If you earn some large amount, say $1,000,000 per year, you cannot collect Social Security.
Both ideas make sense to me.
Very familiar with the concept. The complaint there will be that the raising of the cap will not net a higher benefit to those that pay more into the system. The reason Congress has put off a fix for so long is that no ideas are going to be without pain to someone. Be that raising the retirement age, lifting the cap, means testing the program, reducing the benefit paid out, etc. For people that worked with their brain a longer retirement makes sense. I was a healthcare CEO and could have worked past my 66.6 full retirement age. A roofer on a roof at the age of 70, to get their full-time benefit does not seem very realistic. Taking a benefit at a younger age permanently reduces the benefit amount and isn't fair to hard laborers either.
You do realize that approximately 1,000 “healthy” children died from COVID. A couple I know in their 40’s got it shortly before the shots became available. She was an aerobic instructor and he was a cop, neither will ever work again. Remember very little was actually known about COVID and it was all a learning curve.
Thank you! It was a crummy unsettling time! I truly believe that had we had an actual leader in this country, it wouldn't have been quite so bad & people would have been more unified in limiting the damage caused by COVID! Instead of tackling the pandemic head-on & joining forces with scientists, governors, the medical establishment & other leaders, Trump lied, spread disinformation & used it as a political tool to divide the country further! It was definitely a learning curve for everyone & it's easy to be a Monday morning quarterback! But Trump's lies & the conspiracy theory antivax crowd made it worse & caused deaths! He caused scientists & medical workers to be vilified! I really hoped when he got it that he wouldn't survive!
I really believe that trump is afraid of facts, of reality(not reality TV shows). He has traded his whole life in lives and misinformation. I understand this because I was married to a man with a similar mindset as were a couple of other women I know. Find the book The Sociopath Next Door.
I believe you are correct! That had to be a living nightmare for you!
There are many out there. I was lucky. Friends are the key, do not let him/her cut you off from them. There are a lot who are not as fortunate. Remember women can be just as dangerous.
Kathleen - I know my state found it necessary to hide statistics about child mortality for the 1st 6 months of school closure, (because no school age child had died yet), parents could not know that schools were being kept closed only to reduce risk for teachers, or the next narrative, compromised adults living in the homes of the children needed to be protected by forced social distancing of school children.
The CDC data is still out there for anyone who wishes to look. You are correct that In a nation of 340 million there were thousands of child deaths.
Statistics need to be understood in context, Google tells me there were approximately 3,000 accidental drownings in the US last year. We advocate for swim lessons, for lifeguards, and free CPR training… we don’t tell kids they shouldn’t swim.
My original comment, made in response to the assertion that older Americans might somehow get “screwed by the system”, was that I can list a dozen mega-scale examples of how exactly the opposite occurs openly, in the light of day.
Over the last 20 years our government has massively shifted its spending of public resources from people below age 62 to people above 62. To disagree with this is to debate the force of gravity. The cause is part demographics, sure… but that shift needs to be reversed… or at a minimum stabilized.
My Covid school closure example was meant to illustrate the extreme system bias of the protection of well organized vocal entrenched interests at the expense of the young and working age population.
I have grandchildren in several states, each took a different track, some dependent on climate. One had classes outside. Another was schooled on computer. And still another went to school but if someone in the class was exposed then the children around them were sent home for 10days to one week, this was very disruptive. Of the 8 kids. One had a case of long COVID. All the parents found they became more involved with their children’s education.
As our society changes, so should our Congress. Term limits are a great idea to limit us old folk from hanging on for whatever. Probably dollars.no one in their 80’s should be in government. In fact, no one in their 70’s should be in government. Us old folk are great people with a lot of experience But our capability to change is not a force. Few of US understand LGBTQ+ and don’t comprehend that the stream of consciousness there has already streamed and no matter what we do we can’t stop it and that’s a good thing but this Congress will ever admit it. Term limits for SCOTUS too. Form a free and fair America and be transparent about dementia and PPND as a mental illness (that’s Trump). Finally, if we want any decent representation we must end Citizens United and Corporate dollars as voter persuasion. Buy a Vote should always be illegal in America. Decent Old Folk realize this. At least many of US do.
“Old” people are lovely. It is old ways of thinking that are crippling this country.
Thank you for your mindful comment.
Yes - youth is wasted on the young ( hahaha) I certainly like talking to people that are up to date on the latest breaking news and current events - I learn something new almost everyday and I’m 72.
Same here! Still learning. Still doing Still contributing.
I'm 75 and I'm tired of all these old farts running everything. They don't want to rock the boat even though Trump is busy sinking it. Let them all walk the plank at midterms so we can seat some young people with enough guts and energy to save the ship.
I agree that some "old farts" in government should make way for new blood! But there are some older excellent leaders whose knowledge & experience is invaluable! It really depends on the individual! The "tea party" brought some younger blood to Congress & they turned out to be useless, ignorant obstructionists who have contributed nothing to government except chaos i.e. Gym Jordan! MTG & Bobo brought younger blood too! That has worked out well! But I do have hope when I see some of the promising young democrats speaking out such as Brendan Boyle (Pa) and Maxwell Frost (FL) and others!
I agree that we need younger people in. But some experienced people need to bring others along.
I watched the first minutes on Vs Substack and I was put off by the ongoing (media wide) theme of dismissing people’s skills and abilities based on their age. The actual point is reasonable, I guess, but the free pass to disparage the contribution of people once they hit a certain age is a slippery slope. Imho
Correct!!! I earned my BA when I was 34 and a working single mother. My family couldn't send me to college after high school, so I did it once universities started accepting "older students." (They weren't sure we could keep up. Please!) Then I worked in Silicon Valley and earned my MS when I was 66. I wanted to get it before I collected Social Security. Today in my retirement, I'm a substitute teacher, a political organizer, a newspaper columnist, a non-profit volunteer, a church volunteer, a news junkie, a photographer, a parent, and a grandparent... and I do all my own housework and yard work. Oh... I'm 80 years old, and I can beat anyone with my cane... if I used a cane. Age alone does not determine capability or mental capacity. Bernie is my role model... as is my mother, who passed away only four years ago.
Congratulations! I also went back later. My eldest son was medically fragile and my life work was caring for him. When he passed I was lost and heartbroken. Eventually I decided to finish my BA, so I got it done at age 48.
Good for you!! Never too late for education. And it's something nobody can take away from you.
The objection should be to people who have been in congress for too long, who have given up or become too comfortable.
Agreed!
They can disparage me for my age all the want. The employers still hire me. Haha
Retiring at a decent age isnt JUST about giving your students your best, it is also about letting the next generation get some time in as a leader. Gen X has had a difficult time with upward career mobility because the forever young (in their minds) Boomers wouldnt freaking retire!!! Move over! Be a mentor but pass the torch for goodness sake! I read an article in The Guardian yesterday about an upper management NPS scientist at 69 years old grousing because he is taking “early” retirement. He said he had hoped to stay for 5 more years!!! Move the hell over! A Gen Xer should have been prepped tontake his job 4-5 years ago!! At least!
Many Boomers CAN’T AFFORD to retire. And Boomers paid into the fund all their working lives just like younger people are. I’m really sick of all this hate aimed at Boomers. We didn’t complain about supporting our parents and grandparents by paying into SS.
I would have loved to retire 15 years ago (I’m almost 80) and have just left the workforce due to failing eyesight. As a single mother who put my kid through training so he’d support his family well and caring for elderly family with few resources, the employers that I did time with (and in most cases it was “doing time”) cancelled retirement plans for middle employees. They kept hefty pension plans for the folks at the top of the food chain tho. I now take care of grands when needed while living on social security and a small amount of savings. Tired of being told that I should pass away or stay invisible!!
Tina, you are right. I was upper mgmt as a biologist with a federal agency and a career I loved til the day I retired at 67. I kept telling myself at 62 "I ought to retire and give someone younger the opportunity to move up" - but I loved my job. I could still be doing it today, loving it; I retired 3 years ago. But, you are correct: rise, lead, mentor and move on out the door.
Gen X has always been overlooked but honestly it is too late for most of us to really flourish if we haven’t already. For the betterment of society at large, Gen X needs to support AOC and the youth she leads.
I support AOC and as a Californian I still donate to her even though she isnt a direct representative of mine, because I believe in her overall values. Hell yeah I am for a Green New Deal. That said I disagree about the Gen Xer no longer able to flourish. Maybe Xers cant flourish with long term pensions but there sure as hell better be a plan for truly affordable senior housing for us. We as a generation took it on chin with the long failing arc of Reagan’s mythological trickledown economics. And for Boomers tired of hearing disparaging remarks, too bad, it was overall a selfish generation when it had the greater means and opportunity to steer things better. And you failed.
I totally support AOC.
I saw this a lot in a former employer that had pretty entrenched Boomer management (some of it was a lot had pensions and were waiting for them to vest). Problem was, the pipeline of younger talent started to leave because they didn’t have pensions and realized they were going to have to wait for someone to retire to get promoted.
One example is what happened at the Coal Board in Newcastle England. In the early 20th century former we are selected from the new generation. There was discomfort among succeeding generations, as there was no chance for advancement. That coincided with the decline of the coal pits from 125,000 employees to 25,000 employees by 1983. I am not sure what the employment is now, if any.
Instead of “former were” that should be foreman were selected…
Your point, and that of money, others, his one side of a double sided sword. While upward mobility is essential more senior people often have superior abilities for the job at hand, wisdom and institutional knowledge that helps them produce a much more beneficial outcome.
Jimmy Carter - 'retired' but contributed immensely to the world during his 'retirement'. His impressiveness to me grew with every year he added to his age.
Those clamoring for term limits have probably never lived under them. We don't have Representatives nor Senators running our state. We have lobbyists. Anytime a person figures out where the bathrooms are, and how to get things accomplished, they are gone and we have a new batch of dolts entering Congress. I'll take experience over ignorance any day of the week.
Do you think that Bernie Sanders and Robert Reich are the only seniors who can pass the Gen (fill in the blank) litmus test of acceptable thought? Do you think there should be retirement police? You sound like JD Vance, old women are only good for babysitting. What about experience? What about successful outcomes for your students? Shouldn't the benchmark for who is relevant be how well you do your job? My brother retired at 85 from his medical practice and his patients begged him to stay because his knowledge (acquired over many years) saved their lives. We are not a monolithic group. This is vile.
At that point he should be mentoring young doctors and spreading his knowledge and wisdom around. I’m in my 80’s and believe that we must pass leadership to young people. I don’t know if they will f**k up more than we did. I do believe in institutional knowledge and that mentoring is important. Oh, and as far as old women babysitting, most I know are too busy volunteering except for an occasional helping out. I also prefer to thinking of the “babysitting” as mentoring. You know, things like manners( no cell phones or hats at the table), being considerate and thoughtful and understanding common curtesies.
Hooray for encore careers! I left my ‘career’ at a multinational law firm at 65 to teach evolved parenting and lead outdoor early childhood education classes for parents and kids. I’m poorer - but I’m happier, healthier, more fulfilled and feel my work matters more than ever. We need wisdom and statesmanship more than ever.
In praise of encore careers!
I left university teaching (arts and humanities) at 63, took an administrative job for a few years, and then started law school at age 72. I'll receive my JD at 74, and hope to pass the bar before I'm 75. Then I'm planning to write appellate briefs, or contribute in some other way to corrective justice.
Professor Reich you are still teaching. I count on you to teach me every single day! Thank you for this valuable service! Thank you for educating me!
There are 3 groups backing trump, The Heritage Foundation, and two others I had never heard of and can’t remember. They are writing the EOs and telling trump what to do. Trump wasn’t elected they were.
Ageism is as ugly and unfair as all the other “isms”. AOC doesn’t go around trying to kick everyone over 65 out of politics, she just works hard and speaks out about making the world better for people. She’s been touring with Bernie Sanders, for gawds sake, and he’s no spring chicken. So much of the younger generation just want everything handed to them without doing the work, without educating themselves. Experience matters.
In am in FL and DeSantis attack on teaching African American history as WOKE is a huge step back. It’s incredible he went to elite schools too.
ORGANIZE ORGANIZE ORGANIZE!!!!!
ORGANIZE OVER THE COMMON GOOD DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM. JUST READ THE PLATFORM BULLET POINTS. ORGANIZE!!!!
ALLEGIANCE TO OUR PLATFORM AND THE CANDIDATE THAT PROMOTES OUR PLATFORM!
GOOGLE YOUR STATES DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM TO READ IT!
MAKE AMERICA GRATEFUL AGAIN!
Again? Why not look to the future?
No offense...u are wrong. The house n the senate need term limits plus if a congressman or senator are too senile to function n their staff is covering for them. They need to be retired out.
This whole thing is ridiculous. We should have a bunch of Gen x reps but the old crochetie men get into Gerry rigged districts so they never can be challenged n voted out .
If retirement age is now 65. Then that should also be the rule in government.
Chuck Schumer....Lindsey Graham ...even Bernie who I like n isn't senile but how many terms has he been in office? Biden....Trump....Basically most of the Senate....they have all over stayed their welcome n turned are government into a non functioning over partisan joke.
Term limits now.
And if u are running for President an actual cognitive test that is not done by a biased doctor.
Hint anyone believes Trump is 250 n the picture of health is a fool. Try adding 100 pounds. Having Doctors blatantly lie to the public is ridiculous.
The negative side to term limits is that you lose wisdom, and even institutional knowledge
The positive side is u get people in office who know what AI is....how to send an email..
What signal is....what their names are n what day of the week it is....are not stuck in the fifties or wishing to magically go back to the good old days....are not owned by big pharma or the NRA or whatever corporate money that they had to sell their sole to to keep getting reelected constantly.....are more opened minded....who are current with 2025......n on n on n on.
They can still be involved in gov as mentors n pass their collective knowledge on.
But for example....
The Dems just lost a seat because the congressman died in office at 92 years old. Really? 92. You are telling me there was no younger Dem in that district that could have run n won that seat??
Also PACs n dark money doesn't really gain power if the politician is only in office let's say two terms or whatever would be agreed to
No, the retirement age is not 65. To get full SS it hasn’t been 65 for years. What else do you not know?
Actually for my year full retirement is 67 because SSA has always wanted people to die before they had to actually start paying out. For boomers u can early file at 62 n full fill at 65.
But that isn't the point. Term limits means u do not get career politicians bought n paid for buy lobbyists. Congress n Senate was never ment to be a full time job. You were supposed to go to DC….serve your elected time then return to your state n go bk to something else .
Having someone in the same position for fifty years where they don't even have challengers every two or six years is not democracy. Geremandering a district is not democracy.
Where I vote half the local positions only have one person on the ballot….as in no other choice at all. That's not democracy. That's the other party giving up n not even running a challenger because they know that this districts skews one way so why waste the money trying to challenge the seat.
And this is the local stuff like comptroller of the village…
Not the national stuff. At least those things have two or more choices.
These seats are supposed to be voted n changed every four years n yet the localayor never gets challenged. How is that democracy?
N if u tell me to run for mayor….I'll find you n bop you on the noggin for again missing the point.
You won’t be bopping anyone on the noggin unless you want to be arrested.
So the issue is lobbyists, not the age of politicians. What’s to stop a lobbyist from buying off a Gen X-er? It takes a lot of money to run for office. I would wager that Gen X-ers as a group are no more virtuous than Boomers. The world has changed so we need pros in government, pros who know what they’re doing. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Nancy Pelosi, among others, know the ropes and are good at getting the word out about what is going on in our government and taking action. They’re intelligent and inspired speakers. I want them, with their knowledge and experience, in government, particularly now. This is a dangerous time to have a young, inexperienced newbie trying to learn how government works while our country is not only in danger from Russia, China, and the Middle East but from the dangerous ideologues Trump has appointed to run the government. I’m not saying that people such as Sanders, Warren, and Pelosi shouldn’t retire, just that they shouldn’t be forced out at a time when their experience is needed.
Really Pelosi..... she's been in office so long it's insane .
Ok let's go with a good example....Ruth Bader Ginzberg..
.one of the greatest supreme court justices. But when Obama was in office n she had cancer n it was ongoing he n others asked her to step down, during Obama's presidency in order that Obama could nominate n get confirmed another Democrat on the court to keep the court balanced.
Now RBG said no....as was her right because Supremes are nominated for life. She assumed she would live thru his term n I guess the next Dem term. Oooops the Dems lost to Trump. She dies during his term. Trump elects his choices for the Supremes...this turns the balance pro Republican but more importantly this eventual kills row vs wade. N now we got woman dying in states that have impacted crazy laws against choice n woman's bodies.
So yeah I'd argue that grumpy old white men shouldn't be making decisions on a women's ability to get birth control pills. That is the definition of crazy.
That is just one topic. But if you have a bunch of politicians that don't actually represent the people....well currently we got a bunch exercising their racist views n going all sorts of nasty things to brown people in this country. Throwing them in detention centers....going after children....putting them on planes under the cover of darkness....kidnapping people in broad daylight w no warrants.....n on n on n on. All because white boys have realized they are no longer the majority race in this country of many many types of people.
So yeah it's time for some new thinking n new ideas n people who actually understand how computers n AI works because when they have their meetings n interview biz people about their industries it is so clear they have zero clue what they are talking about.
As far as Russia n China n the Mideast being threats. They have been threats since I was a kid. Russia was the big enemy during the Cold war. The Mideast was always a problem n still is n will probably still be looking after I die especially in Israel.
N if Trump keeps with the idiot tariffs against China and also our allies.....China will win that battle n the USA might not be the power it is in the world if the foreign markets decide to trade in the Yen or some other currency like the Euro.
Moody's just downgraded our Bonds....that is very bad for our economy. But this twit....who has zero clue how the economy works, might just drive us in to a depression. But hey let's have the incompetent deranged orange clown run the country, we are sooooo winning on all fronts.
Still waiting for him to magically end the wars.....think Putin is clocking him in that arena.
But this is more about Trump's love of dictators which he has had for a long time n not Abt his age.
But seriously do you want your President in office w dementia????? Cause it was done in Reagan's second term n apparently it was the case at the end of Biden presidency. So yeah, I think it's a sane idea that a non bought n paid for doctor checks out the leader of the free world's mental health along with their physical health every year.
Proving absolute power corrupts absolutely when an incompetent person stays in office just to maintain power. Or maybe their staff just covers for them, so they all keep their jobs. Either way that is not a good way to run a country.
Anyway basic term limits would alleviate a lot of this nonsense. But most likely it will never happen because think about it the congress n Senate would have to pass a law. Who passed a rule that would throw themselves out of office???
Correction Roe. Thanks a bunch spell check ugh
Whether it's a Gen x or a Gen z if u are only in office for a short time vs fifty years money has a far less chance to be controlling your votes.
And no, all Boomers haven’t been able to retire with full benefits at 65. The last group able to do that were born in 1953. All the rest of us had to wait longer. And anyone who retires at 62 reduces their monthly payment for the rest of their lives.
Yeh hey stupid my post had zip to do with how social security works.
They have tried that in some states. Did not work. You had lobbyists and staff (who stay year after year, sometimes a revolving door to lobbyist and back again) who were running everything because the elected officials did not know zip. They also found the position passed around in families( name recognition and connections).
To be elected as president of the United States one has to be 35 or older. The opposite should be for all government elected officials. Find an age of 75 for all an age your not allowed to run for any government job by election.
Praising Bernie and “asking Nancy Pelosi to step down” is frankly incredibly sexist. Nancy Pelosi has been the most effective Speaker in our history. She is not traveling the country holding rallies to inspire Democrats, she is quietly educating, strategizing and raising money for Democrats who need major funding in 550 days. Her leadership has put more women and people of color and LGBT candidates in office is a testament to her effectiveness. We would not have the Affordable Care Act without her
Leadership among many other things. She stepped down from the Dem leadership to allow Jeffries to step in and she remained helpful but does not overshadow him. Congressman John Lewis was 80 when he died, if he were still alive would you be calling for him to resign? James Clyburn is 85, Pelosi appointed him to the caucus leadership in 2007 and he served again. He is a great 85 year old leader- should he step down? What about Maxine Waters who is 87 and is is the most senior member of the CA delegation, should she resign? At this time we need the wisdom and leadership of all of the above. Seniority matters for leadership and fundraising. Nancy Pelosi is still contributing but she’s not having rallies- instead she effectively counters the MAGA rhetoric in the press, she helps younger democratic members of congress learn how to maneuver and how to raise !$$$
I agree it’s time for Chuck to step out of the leadership especially since he can’t keep his party together. Don’t throw the women out - they are the brains and hearts of the leadership.
I am 72 years old. I did not expect that so many people, including the president, would still be older than me. We need younger people because things change and younger people are more connected to the changes. To have a 79 year old man as president has resulted in having a president who doesn't understand so much of the modern world. For example, Trump is not able to use a computer. Do we really want somebody like that in the White House? No.
Ironic that ageism is the last acceptable “ism” and wholeheartedly endorsed by many Dems. She completely missed Reich’s repeated point about seniority. If all the older Democrats retire - even if younger Democrats take their place - Congress will be dominated for years by senior Republicans who don’t give a rats ass about making way, they’re just power hungry and will happily have yet another advantage we gave them.
I believe there should be age and term limits for all elected officials, including the Supreme Court! No more life time positions! No more numerous terms in office.
Davis Hogg has a campaign going "Leaders we Deserve" look it up. He is trying to get a younger generation into office. We Democrats need a new perspective and new ideas. We need more people like AOC and the squad who work for the people and not for large corporations or donors. I'm a baby boomer and I'm 1000% behind David and his campaign and donate to him.
Keep fighting against trump and the repugs! Join protest in your area, the next one is June 14th, NO KINGS!!!
At 78 I agrees that older politicians need to move over and mentor and fundraise for the new. Please Turn your mikes up or get closer to the microphone🙃
DUMP AND IMPEACH TRAITOR , NAZIS , FELONS, AND CON REPUBLICONS EVERYWHERE. YES CON REPUBLICONS, CLIMATE CHANGE IS DANGEROUS, REAL, DISRUPTIVE WORLDWIDE, COSTLY, AND PREVENTABLE. STOP DENYING CLIMATE CHANGE AND FACE THE SCIENCE . DUMP THE CON RTRUMP AND CRONIES. DUMP TACO RTRUMP AND CRONIES.
While I think highly of Bernie Sanders, what good will come if he faces another health crisis while in office? He has such name recognition that he could have done the road show with AOC & still draw crowds. He ought to be mentoring young people & support others to take over for him. I agree that the seniority system needs to go away. Perhaps term limits would be less discriminatory than age limits on congressional office.
Bernie IS mentoring young people. That's exactly why he is touring with AOC.
True.
Don't throw the oldies out with the bathwater. Problems occur when party leadership impose their selections on the party members as what happened with Biden. They seem to be eager to distance themselves from their errant decisions without taking any blame for themselves. I'm disgusted.
Hey Robert, love and appreciate your spirit and words for our Country- as an 70 yr old my biggest concern is how to survive if find out l have two weeks to sell my home if they cut my ssi and healthcare, outraged at Donnie dearest and MAGA on Substack
Rent out on Airbnb. They give loans for getting property up to speed if you need a private bathroom etc
Loans are not the solution
Wonderful and insightful interview with excellent Robert Reich. Thank you for your candor, Robert. I'm 77, yes pushing 80, but absorbed and involved with life and my accumulated skills more than ever.
She doesn’t seem to understand the Feinstein reference. Feinstein don’t just work her whole life and had no time to rest back and enjoy the fruit of her labors. She became mentally impaired and didn’t realize it, and insisted on staying in her position way beyond her abilities.
Lumping together a group is for purposes of clarity. Of course we seniors are diverse. My point was that, in general, we do not value seniors.
Solzhenitsyn said that Communism in the Soviet Union was a very short event in their history, about seventy years. For us in South Africa, formal apartheid lasted forty years. I am grateful that it was abolished in my lifetime. There is a lot of restitution needed, reparations, healing of the hurts of the past, and ensuring that the opportunities are available to all people. As an Afrikaner, I was blessed to have black friends who shared their experiences with me. President Nelson Mandela was a great uniter of people. He had a vision for our country. Yes, you can criticise a lot here. We are not facing genocide. I am not leaving.
I hadn't listened to V before, but she is asking the same questions I have (tried to asked but didn't have the words). I am going to follow her. Great Substack today.
When coming to this country at the age of 10 and becoming a naturalized citizen, I saw many things about this country I did not like; hypocrisy being one of them. I also observed things Americans took for granted, such as clean water, clean air, food abundance, and natural beauty. Americans have never really suffered from want and have not been invaded by a foreign power. Now we have an enemy from within. Perhaps you are right, Dr. Reich, that this may wake up the population to appreciate what they might be about to lose.
Love the humans who are not trying to win over others.
Best conversation I’ve heard lately. So many questions I’ve had discussed. I especially appreciate the optimistic closing comments. Need to keep our heads up.
I subscribe, and love Bob's wisdom, common sense, but particularly enjoyed this interview. It discussed many of the things my retired friends, retired R.N.s, and I talk about. Thank you to both, Bob, and V, who asked pertinent questions.
I love that David Hogg… is trying to get younger talent into politics…
The DNC needs to follow his lead… If they had let us vote for Bernie in 2016… we wouldn’t be in this crappy mess.
Secretary Reich, we need people like you to get us through this regime. You have the knowledge and the expertise that many younger people do not possess. You have seen good and bad leadership. That understanding will help us survive until 2028.
BREAKING NEWS: GOP SUPREME COURT GREENLIGHTS TRUMP RACIAL HATRED, IGNORANCE AND MASS DEPORTATION!
Robert Reich: When in the FUCK are you going to DENOUNCE AND REJECT THAT PIECE OF FLAMING CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRAT DOGSHIT JOE BIDEN?
Today's Supreme Court ruling is 100% Joe Biden's fault for REFUSING TO EXPAND THIS ROGUE, IMMIGRANT-HATING, WOMAN-HATING GOP SUPREME COURT TO A DEMOCRATIC PARTY MAJORITY ON THE COURT.
After I voted for Biden and he became President, progressive Democrats like myself begged and begged fuckface war criminal, anti-abortionist Joe Biden to pls expand this rogue GOP Court before they overturn ROE and every other landmark case Americans have relied upon for the past sixty fucking years!! Fuck the goddamn Democrats!!
Democrats are too goddamn busy emulating and respecting Republicans and voicing a need for a "strong Republican Party" bullshit.
Supreme Court allows Trump administration to cancel legal status for half-million immigrants
05/30/2025 10:41 AM EDT
The Supreme Court has given the Trump administration the go-ahead to begin deporting about a half million immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela who entered the U.S. legally under “humanitarian parole” programs implemented during the Biden administration.
The high court’s one-paragraph order — which contained no explanation of the court’s reasoning — lifts an earlier ruling from a district judge who had blocked the administration's mass cancellation of the program.
The immigrants who entered through the programs will now lose their permits to work in the U.S. and are at risk of imminent deportation, although many are expected to apply for asylum or similar protections.
Two Democratic-appointed justices — Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson — dissented.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/30/supreme-court-trump-immigration-parole-00376419
Obviously a lot of complexity to the old vs the new argument. It does seem though, from most of the comments, that age only applies to the democrats. How come? I was at the PO a long time ago when two young men were beside themselves with glee about macho Arnold running for governor of California. Really?! So much for younger voters voting for younger wannabes who are going to be so much better for everything and everybody else just because they're younger. Name recognition doesn't hurt either.
TERM LIMITS: House, 3 terms, Senate 1 term and Federal judges, including the Supremes, 8 years.
BINGO! Agree that "next" might be what comes after the previous work. Re-tirement has always been hard...I don't even know what "tirement" means, much less RE-tirement. Go for it.
Another vital 79-going on 80 year-old, energetic, involved, vital, noticing that both older ones and younger ones fall into categories of greater or lesser savvy, open or closed-mindedness, willingness or availability to serve the country. I wish we could give each other a break, and come together more than not, discover and be our best, supported by each other.
LOL! The traditional definition of retirement fits Trump to a ‘tee’! 😂
Thank you V Spehar and Robert Reich ,for this discussion of the gerontology problem, It was thought provoking and inspirational all at the same time. I especialy liked the idea that , after something like 911, V found themself looking up into people's eyes more often, We want to see how everyone else is doing. If we are hating (fearing) everyone, it is more likely that we look down and away, which is so isolating. A sense of Communion, or belonging and caring is so much better than loneliness and fear, We feel like the world works if we can see each other. The word respect comes from the Latin word, respicere, which means 'to look at'. In order to respect, we should be able to look at and want to see each other. I stumbled into this video and mistook it for a Saturday Coffee klatch! This shows that I'm working too much and not even aware of what i'm looking at! Glad I looked and listened! I will get the Book "Coming Up Short", when it is available.
There needs to be an upper age limit for The Presidency, House, Senate and Supreme Court. And it is......if you're going to be 72 at your inauguration/installation, you can't run or be nominated. And before you accuse me of ageism. I'M 72, although most people take me for being in my mid-50s! I'm fine with people like Bernie being emeritus advisors, etc. But we need to weed out the Grassleys, Feinsteins, whoever that Repturd congresswoman who was in a nursing home in Texas, but nobody listed her as out of commission......etc, etc.
We SHOULD have wise elders - the problem is that those are not wise! They are SMART, or WERE, in the last society , that has now changed again. And they are EXPERTS , not broad philosopher kings that Plato said were needed. Because smart experts are what neoliberalism values. Just like the "experts" who were all wrong in 2007, when Krugman was right with the simplest tool there is!
We need people with both eyes open, one relentlessly self-critical. And who understand the internet disruption of independent actors with own agency in a loose network! THAT is what the Trump gang are experts on. And influencing, now from the highest platform possible.
Instead of talking of retirement, we should think of rewiring our lives. Bernie Sanders and Robert Reich are exceptional people. All over the world, people hang on in politics. I was born at the start of apartheid. Dr DF Malan told my uncle in 1948 that apartheid was an experiment. However, the people who wanted it had worked it out, and they moved swiftly. Having lived through that period, I see so many parallels with what is happening in America. They immediately got rid of dissenters, got rid of opposition, appointed cronies, created a climate of fear, e.g., PW Botha's Total Onslaught. Here we are, a handful of white people at the end of Africa, and all those millions are ready to annihilate us. That fear was fed. Today, there are still Afrikaners who think they are facing genocide. That is not true. In our society, any opposition was labelled Communist. Christians who wanted to live according to the Bible, were accused of wanting a Social Gospel if anyone spoke out against the injustices black people were experiencing. Practical examples: English-speaking generals in the Army were replaced by Afrikaans-speaking generals. Afrikaans people who disagreed with the policies were ostracised. So much is just the same thing. People who grab power use the same recipe, whatever they call it.
Such a timely topic. Some folks never have health problems and some of us have powered through difficult permanent illnesses and carved out 40-year careers while suffering. So those who have the misfortune of non-self-created chronic illnesses will be penalized for it in much higher supplemental senior care rates. Tack on the cumulative impact where collecting Social Security Disability requires you not to work and where standard SSI doesn't consider health at all in its payouts, and now its more penalization. Bernie to sound and logical but let's that he is just stating the obvious, which is every other major democracy, and even communists like Russia, have state sponsored health care and other standard government run safety nets. Safety, security, and helping with the well-being of its citizens is all a government is supposed to do.
This was such a thoughtful conversation. It was a gift. Thanks!
Let the voters decide if it is time to hang it up. Figure out a better way to support alternative candidates.
As always, your views are exemplary. I would say - you might not agree - that our capitalist system is the basic problem. It allows the rich to get richer and the poor to suffer even more; our form of rampant, uncontrolled capitalism is unfair, period.
It might be a very long time before some degree of socialism comes to this country, a system which would be fairer and more just. If the country continues on its present trajectory, it will morph into a real fascist dictatorship, much worse than we could imagine.
3 crucial requirements to be an elected official in America... 1) Be 65 or younger at the end of your first term. 2) Have less than $1 million in total assets. 3) Close any stock trading accounts and block second-party individuals from trading for you.
And...
Shut down Citizens United. No person or corporation can contribute more than $2000 to any candidate or party.
Simple.
I think at some point (it is ,as you said,different for everyone) that a test? for retirement should be given, but they are still extremely knowledgeable and have loads of experience to offer. Maybe a "college of elders" could be formed as a resource for younger people who are entering politics. A non binding advisory team of all parties who could thrash out a lot of the chaff to help things move more efficiently and with less partisanship?
Retirement has not turned perfectly but I'm only one year into it. The other seniors who participated in Hands Off and May Demonstrations brought me joy and clarity. I can't wait until No Kings 6/14! Without a vision the people parish."
I'm not sure how accurate this is, but let's take an example from some of the Native American systems of "government " from the past and maybe current as well. You had a circle of elders who were advisors and gave counsel to the rest of the tribe. These elders were greatly respected and their actions during their lifetime earned that respect. In turn, the elders were very supportive of the younger generation. It goes both ways. It's insulting to think that everyone and their sister or brother can judge and decide what their elders should do and when they should retire. If you have someone at the wheel who isn't of sound mind driving the bus (your parent, a president) then there are standardized tests that give reliable answers to the question of whether or not that person is capable of still managing the car keys or a complex position affecting millions of people. We are living longer and cognitive decline is a major concern with aging. We must continue these conversations and hopefully come up with kind compassionate ways to address this growing reality.
As an 81-year-old I’m encouraged to read all this. I believe I’d have been pleased at any age to have read it…..
A significant amount of older indigenous cultures used to have a multi-tier way of spreading out authority, with people chosen to represent the people supported by a council of elders. I've actually seen this at work in Los Angeles, with the Fernandeno Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and it's significantly amazing to watch.
It’s tempting to believe aging and wisdom are correlated, moreso now as I near 80, but discounting young ones as products of declining educational opportunity and/or lacking experience misses the point. Ready or not, they are the future and the best of them need to step into leadership functions. That means our aging leadership needs to step aside, into advisor capacity if any function at all is held. Our elder statesmen aren’t there because they wanted to be. They are there by default and promotion, not desire. Younger ones might not want to assume those roles but won’t rise to such stature without necessity. The necessity comes from we elders stepping aside, forcing the next generation to rise above their limits.
I once worked with a database administrator who knitted during her breaks. I asked her why. She said that she knew she could never be truly productive until she had mastered the art of doing nothing. She had a wonderful calming presence and was one of the most accomplished technologists I’ve ever met. I think of her often when I think about ways to stay strong over the long haul when resisting assaults on our democracy.
Great talk, and thank you for the subtitles!!! 😻
The opposite of aging degeneracy is aging “gracefully” as in retaining your youthfulness, sharpness, and a clear and logical mind and good memory. Not to mention sex appeal and capacity.
Some of aging we have strong power to influence based on health factors like diet, abstinence, and exercise, also good availability of medical care. The rest is largely a function of constitution… the genes we got and how well they have served us. Some of us don’t age gracefully and others manage to stay youthful much longer than the norm. Self care matters.
I am grateful ever day that as I approach an age of 80 years, when I look in a mirror I see a vibrant face that lacks ravages of time. I walk a by preference, having left my last car behind decades ago. I lived in Costa Rica for six years with no car. When people ask my age I usually see a stunned look on their faces because they suspect I am messing with them.
I have remained so much more youthful than average with mostly smooth, wrinkle-free skin, clear eyes, and still a thick head of crew cut, blond hair that faded from auburn and a clear baritone voice, clear blue eyes, white mustache and beard and good reflexes.
When I look for reasons for my age blessings my best guess is good genes and healthy habits and abstinence from tobacco and alcohol and sugar. Low stress from a simple lifestyle contributes also, I suspect. I do admit to some chronic pain from an old injury but it’s minor when I joint me blessings.
My regime is informed by beliefs that have proven to be healthy. I highly advise what has worked.
Wishing you health in a long life, I remain…
Joseph Albert Riden
Joseph@josephriden.com
Loved the interview. Regarding the gerontology convo. Many older adults have different capacities some are higher functioning. Robert Reich is a high functioning individual and is ageless on some levels given his energy and passion. I see a man who continues to boost the Amercian people and works really hard to point out the inequities in the US and world at large, and how damaging that is.
I was delighted by his YouTube videos on his classes at UC on Wealth and Poverty, a must watch for all Americans. I watch his Coffee Klatch on Saturday morning with Heather Lofthouse and his Substack posts! Poverty is by design. Public policy has created unfavorable policies against poor and middle class. It helps people who aren’t doing well understand that it’s not necessarily their fault! He puts in perspective how our economy got here and why it’s a struggle for many Americans. He continues to blow the horn on the dangers of this regime as I can’t bring myself to call it an administration with its incompetent cabinet. I hope he continue to move forward until he helps launch the next group of democracy and equality defenders!
There should have been a discussion of sickly elders running for office. Three old and infirm Dems ran for office last fall and now have passed away. If those seats would have been held by younger healthier folks, that stupid budget bill would not have passed.
It's not law yet....keep pressure on the Senate to get rid of the really monsterous stuff in that bill
I believe we need to change the laws if you don't get the job done the first year you are fired no more running ever again, same goes for the President
Awesome interview! No question we need new blood and the idea of mentorship with elders within the system is brilliant! The world is changing so quickly and we need a partnership of minds....innovation and experience.
Thank you both for this very frank, informative, and reflective discussion. I gotta go chop veggies now......
So Chuck Schumer or Nancy Pelosi are going to raise money for a younger house member or senator and say what to the donor. Thanks for the money, I’ll try to get the youngster to do you bidding like I used to but, sorry no guarantees.
Just remember what Gov. Reagan did to the University of California system - he ended free tuition of California residents.
Okay now I've watched more of your show here. And I'm disturbed by the erroneous belief that boomers failed it everything. We got us here. I'm tired of all the other generations blaming boomers for everything. We weren't the only 1's voting for the last 50 years. You have to blame other generations or other political parties for not voting for the things that we wanted to accomplish.
I donated money for 50 years what little I had because I was never a successful person. I signed petitions for 50 years. And it's not just where we are with Trump. I have been very disappointed that the environment climate change wildlife help just hasn't caught on with other generations very much. I live in an apartment complex and there were many young people who just didn't bother to vote they've never voted. I read so many things where things are so still polluted that I thought things would change over the last 50 years. Too many people still just don't give a crap about these things. I really don't like boomers blamed for everything. I think that is erroneous.
Well I certainly am glad to be able to make a comment despite the fact that I'm not a page subscriber. I'm a boomer on social security and cannot afford all these subscriptions.
The one problem I have is that people say democrats introduce things differently when I get young people in. But I never hear any solutions just that they want things different. How about doing some sort of post about what democrats need to do differently because I never hear anything specific about what young people want.
The might mention a couple of things but nothing that really seems to be something that would gather tons of people to suddenly start voting... I want to hear Real solutions.
Clarence Thomas has come up quite short on integrity! He still has a chance to save our American society from MAGA. I still think he wants interracial marriage outlawed so he can get rid of Ginnie ... his easy way out!
I think their wages should be lowered whatever money they get should be lowered until everybody's Fair
Brilliant! I agree there need to be term limits. Other than Bernie, who speaks to us and is full of common sense anticipating what might come and preparing us to be aware and to fight back. I love V's idea of people like Chuck Schumer working in another capacity doingf fundraisers to help up and coming politicians run for office. Have other people mentor them along the way. We would be in a very different place. We can agree the majority of long term Democrats became complacent and they didn't think of a strategy to act on when T won the first time. All that to say, I agree with both Robert and V that these dark times does pull us together to find the common denominator towards change and to resist! Not only saving our democracy but going forward towards equitable and just change. Thank you both for sharing your time.
Term limits is a terrible idea. Imagine your boss telling you, “LD, you have been working here X years and are doing a great job. I am going to let you go and replace you with someone with zero experience.”
I disagree. There has to be a set number of years, not life long. That's not working on either side of the aisle. There needs to be a structure in place knowing once the limit hits they move into a more effective capacity. Many people who start new jobs are learning about the job itself with whatever experience and expertise they might have. I didn't mention anything about someone with zero experience. In fact they can mentor or work with one of the senators who wants to move into a different position or direction. Create a think tank. Term limits is not about ageism as was discussed in the video. The way it is now, many do not know when to step down and become more effective elsewhere as was suggested by Robert and V. They can simply be burned out and need a break too. Perhaps a sabbatical like what teachers get could be set forth within a term limit structure. The democratic party is at a stalemate. There is infighting. They aren't open to new ideas. Is that okay with you? They are struggling with what to do in the thick of this nightmare. That is not okay with me and the millions of Americans protesting everyday. Those are not leaders in my book. If I forgot what to do in my job I would be fired! Instead, with all my experience and professional development, I was pushed out of my industry with no recourse in place because I hit a certain age. That was someone else's decision without warning. I had to reinvent myself. With term limits, senators would still be employed at a different level where they can make change for the good of the country. The ideas V and Robert had about solutions to term limits and what the next level of work someone would be doing to be even more effective is what I call progress. It's remaining in step with constituents. It would even give them the freedom to go out in the field to see how people are living their lives or not. One must always be a life learner and not settle into a cushy position and think everything is going to be okay.
Coming from distinctly different generations, I love how you hear, respect, and value each other's perspectives and wisdom. Thank you for modeling the kind of conversation that we need more of..
As for what we (I'm 76) could have done differently, I agree with Reich and think about it often. What did we miss? How much was within our control as individuals? Will the Baby Boomer generation go down in history as despised? As I imagine the trajectory of my children's and grandchildren's lives, our current political reality weighs on me heavily.
Bernie Sanders is our best hope for the future! If you want to earn more money and have access to affordable housing, education, medical, child and elder care watch Senator Sanders' YouTube videos, check out his website or attend a Fighting Oligarchy Tour. Bernie has a plan that benefits every American and millions of others across the globe. For the sake of our families give Bernie a chance. Then abandon your political party, help create a whole party, stand beside Sanders and help make America greater than it has ever been before. Start here:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=jTrdyabFjhg&si=9yaMEuK8cju-2lV6
BernieSanders.com
We are running out of time to stop the tRump's birthday, military parade is on June 14. Sign the petition below right now to try to stop the tRump's military parade.
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-congress-stop-trumps-wasteful-and-authoritarian-birthday-military-parade/
Urgent - The tRump's Big Beautiful Plan is going to decimates this country! These are the beginning stages of genocide in America, as detailed in Project 2025.
https://open.substack.com/pub/robertreich/p/what-you-need-to-share-about-the?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=113nffp
Urgent - Everyone learn more and sign the strike card at GeneralStrikeUS.com
Use 5calls.org Civil Action website to let your representatives know that you want them to stop the Big Beautiful Bill, the Military Parade, Save our Medical Benefits, restore USAID and more!
Check your social media and www.Mobilize.us for protest rallies and events near you.
Demand Change! If you want to earn more money and have access to affordable housing, education, medical, child and elder care watch Senator Sanders' YouTube videos, check out his website or attend a Fighting Oligarchy Tour. Bernie has a plan that benefits every American and millions of others across the globe. For the sake of our families give Bernie a chance. Then abandon your political party, help create a whole party, stand beside Sanders and help make America greater than it has ever been before. Start here:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=jTrdyabFjhg&si=9yaMEuK8cju-2lV6
BernieSanders.com
Stopping Trump's parade is stmbolic bs
What needs to be stopped is the big ugly bill which will gut Medicaid Medicare food stamps n other programs
What a wonderful podcast! And yes, Bernie Sanders is a force unto himself!
Term limits to run and how long they can stay in office.
Please share transcripts. Even autogenerated bad transcription is better than video. Yes I know you can get a transcription on computers but not Android phones.
There's a transcript now, at the top of Dr. Reich's post introducing the video.
So well spoken, Bob. About our generation's failings and our guilt, regret, and the prominent motivation for actively resisting now. I was at Berkeley in the 60's and 70's. It felt that our protests were more immediately effective for those issues of the day than happens for me today. That may be a function of the vibrancy of the emotions of youth. And I can't deny, it could also be that the tiredness at this age colors our experiences.
Myself and that of other Activists of our generation are much more focused on the immediacy of the moment now as it motivates us to protect our children and theirs. We DO care a lot -- and today for others above self. Our passion is unfailing. I just hope we live to see the positive outcome. Thank you for today. This was a deeply personal sharing, and for that reason, the authenticity helped. Barbara Epperson, PhD
Age term limits are a good idea
Great ideas to get older politicians to realize that their time up over
My two favorite people together 😁😁😍😍😁
Why is an extended usefulness especially true of/for politicians? How much of it is due to their networks?
N apparently Trump n Co r trying to kill seniors.
What is this nonsense Abt defunding this year's flu vaccine. RFK needs to be fired for practicing eugenics.
Liberals have created generations of selfishness and Failures. Your secular ideology will invite Muslims to threaten every Jew and Christian in America 🇺🇸.
Harvard has Surrendered to Islam ☪️ 👹
Duh... Paul. It isn't us secular liberals that threaten religions. It is the very religions themselves that have always threatened each other. Just about any religion you can name thinks they are the ONLY TRUE RELIGION. Over the centuries they have banished, tortured and killed millions of people of other religions and done the same to various sects within their own religion.
The various groups within any given religion fight each other with various levels of hate and venom. The two branches of Muslims have been killing each other for 1,300 years. Hindus have many divisions in their faith that hate each other almost as much as they hate Muslims.
I have Catholic relatives of the Opus Dei cult who hate the Jesuit Catholics. The two branches of Lutherans have been split for years. The Baptists have to many variations to count. It goes on and on.
The best thing to ever happened to the world is liberal secularism. We work hard to treat everyone as equals and are willing to help anyone who needs it. Regardless of religion, race or social status.
We don't need to wrap ourselves in holy robes, crowns or jewels to justify love for our fellow humans. We don't need huge churches, temples or other "places" to worship some unseen god for direction. We don't require donations to a bureaucracy, pilgrimages or bowing down to any kind of priest or leader to tell us what is the right thing to do.
Far from failures, liberals, if you would just listen... are the true saviors. Cheers... GH
Most religions, esp the Abrahamic variety, are authoritarian political structures based on an infalible holy book and designed to control people and societies. Even Hinduism and Bhuddism have been degraded into authoritarian control systems.
Thanks gtgfg. "Religion does three things effectively: Divides people, controls people and deludes people." Mary Alice McKinney. Food for thought... GH