Professor Reich has shown how we got here. It’s up to all Americans to decide what our future holds and what our children will have to look forward to! Do we want President Biden and his administration who works for all Americans or the other guys who coddle the rich!
Quite right. As a lumper rather than a sorter, let me suggest that the one basic cause of the unraveling of America was the massive reduction in taxes on the wealthy and the corporations introduced by Reagan and his handlers. From this, all else flows. It led to a massive and rapid increase in the power of corporations, and the wealth of their investors, in particular the power to influence government to relax antitrust legislation and other regulatory devices, resulting in a trend against the free market and towards monopoly, leading to ever greater concentrations of power and wealth by the few.
Sanders is right. Step 1 should be a massive increase in taxes on the corporations and on the truly wealthy. From this, all else flows back: education, universal healthcare of high quality, and infrastructure spending. Which politician has the gonadal tissue to say this? Sanders.
The big picture-- Robert, what you drew on your canvas depicts not how you feel but rather who you are. The mind we gained a peek into reflects images of a man we've all grown to know and respect. However, the theme I admire the most, is found on the faces of the people you immortalize. These simple characters, for the most part, are all smiling. Robert your glass is obviously half full. Whatever it is you're drinking, I only wish there was enough for everyone to have a sip.
Professor Reich, thank you for "The Big Picture." I agree with it all. The Big Question is: how do we get to the positive outcome? If Biden wins or Trump wins, we will have two different struggles on our hands. One question is "How do we get capitalism under control given that the radicals on the right have infiltrated so much of different levels of government and capitalism is now so strong?" If Trump wins, "How do we rebuild our economy and democracy after it inevitably implodes and the economy crashes once again?"
FDR's New Deal was a success partially because he was handed an economy in ruins and a population in mental depression as well as economic depression. He had a vision to put into action. Is it time for us to create a new vision also? The Declaration of Independence was an audacious vision but without it's bold creation, where would we be? It was a recognition that the efforts to "put guardrails around" British rule had failed. Colonialism could not be reformed. Can capitalism be reformed or do we need a new declaration or vision?
Capitalism must be regulated. That means restoration of free markets. That means we have to wring out of the economy the obscene amounts of wealth associated with the top 0.1%, and use this money to establish universal healthcare and engage in much needed infrastructure spending. That means much higher taxes. That means politicians who are bold. It's what 70% of voters want.
And, to your point, Trump has shown that we also need the removal of kingly powers from the office of President, and the elimination of the Electoral College. The Constitution needs further amendments to accommodate these changes.
What about the Monsanto effect? The poisoning of Americans farmland and GMO seeds? The lawsuits destroying neighboring farmers due to poison drift but the neighbors blamed? Destruction of insects, which will lead to our destruction, which we likely deserve in light of our rape of earth? The lack of interest in regenerative farming practices across the Midwest despite neighbors doing well with this? Big Farma/AG eating all the farm subsidies with lots of relatives 'getting our tax money to do whatever they want?' China and Bill Gates buying the Midwest cheap with no obstructions, including water rights. Poisoned water from Monsanto everywhere, but no one talks about the bottled water (nanoplastics), many Midwest pockets must use?
I liked the look of your website but did not see these heart issues. Can't beat around the bush anymore.
Vicki - so true, and so little spoken of. We're destroying (even without global climate change) our environment, which sustains all life. We live in a stew of chemical pollution which kills and poisons life. A simple example:
Tire dust, chemicals and particulates which result from the wearing of tires on pavement, have six documented carcinogens. Another example: Men world-wide are experiencing declining, and damaged sperm because of exposure to environmental toxins. Most of these chemicals are unstudied, unregulated, and who knows what the synergistic effects of them on our bodies? Many mimic hormones, some mimic chemicals that regulate our genes. GMO's only work with staggering amounts of herbicides and pesticides, and the seed base of our food supply is lost. monoculture always leads to disease and environmental destruction.
Hugely important, Vicki. Of course there is also voter suppression, women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, affordable HOUSING. I think each could have their own wall-sized picture. I think Dr Reich was smart to limit it to economics, as it results in a very compelling history that is understandable to all. I’m sharing it. I hope someone will try to do something similar for environmental issues, HOUSING, voting, etc. Are you inspired?
Unlikely Reich, I do not think the world will look like it does now in 2050. Humans will survive in small groups all over the world. Think Chernobyl and the forested natures with scattered humans who stayed and survived. WE have had so many decades to improve, so many resources and yet, look what we, the wealthiest country have done-just like Rome... I also offer no sympathy to all the white men who have left the white supremacist structure in place, the guns, and the lack of ERA passage, of course Roe. The fact that we women are subhuman is beyond repair and that nothing is done is beyond imagination. I do not think it is a ' mistake'. It is a calculation to keep their power over all, their comfort, themselves.
I was replying to the rural/urban divide post.. I have stronger secessionist thoughts than the writer who brought this up, due to my questions and the persistent lack of answers. Rodale organic farming has been with us since the 1950s, maybe earlier. Is it not okay to respond to one of the posts by another on this website? Are you the overseer? Repeatedly on these Reich responses are incrementalist suggestions-from the generation who knew in the 1960s the environmental concerns pending if we continued on the path of incessant growth, chemical poisons, greed, prestige and power.. But, this is what most chose, especially the more aggressive powerful. And, look what a sh_t show we have now....
Not quite right here. FDR created the New Deal to pull the rug out from under a growing and powerful Socialist uprising. The New Deal provided many of the demands of the labor movement. He also threatened to cap corporatist income which is how he got the Right leaning Congress to approve the Deal. See my response to Reich above.
How I would enjoy my own copy of that massive chart by Reich to study and reflect on; makes learning so much easier when done by the best. Graphics beat text 💯 % especially with attention deficits to the written word.
There is only one question. How to keep Trump from winning, because if he does, our economy will more than implode. All will explode and you can kiss representative government, equal rights, freedom of expression, personal freedoms goodbye, to never be seen again.
The Republican party have refined the tools of population control, leaving, as in Hungary, the facade of democracy in place.
Hungary and Russia both have voting, if one is stupid enough to believe that voting alone is a sign of democracy.
The Libertarian Party platform is the new declaration: the right to life, liberty, and property. No right to happiness, bad news for the property-less--all of you who rent and subsist on wages alone. Carried to its logical conclusion this declaration means the disenfranchisement of millions.
"concentrations of power and wealth by the few", and it's evil consequence: disinvestment in everyday Americans, which is the second element in the Big Picture.
Now all we need to do is figure how to raise taxes on wealth. Dems are calling for this.
The party that wins in 2024 will get a big say in how to overhaul the tax code when much of the 2017 GOP tax law expires at the end of 2025.
There was a Dem push to raise the top rate in 2021.
Of course there will be the usual blather from the GOP about how taxing the rich is motivated by wealth envy and will not do any good any way because the government is the problem.
President Eisenhower added the taxes on the rich and corporations..as a Republican, he did not think it was fair the little guy was holding up our country..he felt the wealthy should pay higher taxes and the Corps too. Reagan hurt us bug time
Tool is a good word but it might be better to use sledge- or jack-hammer. A pile of broken concrete to be cleaned up or thrown through windows by others.
Get out of the World Trade Organization and rebuild our industrial base (and tax base)
Step #2
Close the "tax-exempt foundation" loophole for the mega-rich
Step #3
Pass a law that nobody in any corporation can make more then twenty times the salary of the lowest-paid workers.
Step #4
Crash program to develop fusion power so we'll have something to trade with the rest of the world so we can manage all the unpayable debt from Trump's stupid tax cut for the rich and Biden's "spend now, pay it back after I leave office" programs.
It would likely cost far less than our current so-called healthcare system, because 1) people could obtain less expensive preventative care, rather than very expensive treatments for disease; 2) it would eliminate the layers upon layers of expensive bureaucracy - billers, coders, insurance company bean counters, pharmacy benefit managers, battalions of lawyers, etc. etc. - that pervade our current system; and 3) there would be no profit-maximizing commercial insurance companies diverting healthcare dollars to shareholders and exorbitant CEO compensation.
Mike - the amount we spend in premiums, excessive executive pay, corporate ripoffs of the medicare program - we would come out far ahead in healthcare cost and outcomes if we had universal healthcare. That's right - the amount the common man had to pay in increased taxes would be less than what he pays in premiums for substandard care now. We are now at the mercy (precious little) of the pharma and insurance industry, who spend billions on lobbying to keep us in medical thrall. there is no shortage of money in this country - consider the disposable $23.8 billion just wagered on the toilet bowl alone.
AS a Nurse in healthcare since the 1970s, doctors brought business into healthcare in the 1990s to sharpen the reimbursement for themselves. This pushed Nurses to the sidelines with their projects despite increasing education, vision to develop health resources for more of us, and focused on reimbursement. Nurses are the only legal 'check and balance' on doctors in the healthcare system. What the doctors 'forgot' was that the business folk would want the pie, not to share that with the poor ole doctees. So, the business folk in healthcare brought under their umbrellas, legions of unneeded , non medical folk into the institutions. Too big to fail, like the banks.. Would unemploy too many. (WE used to have one secretarial staff per Nursing unit. ) Would have to be matched with a green new deal jobs program and income to succeed now. Business has destroyed US healthcare and will continue to. What is left of public health, hospice, home care, mental health, substance abuse, nursing home and long term care, rehabs , pediatrics, now women's health, midwifery is a shell of what could have evolved. The good ole USA, money ,power, and prestige..
And, we wonder why this bizarre society has produced so many angry and mentally ill folk and why many middle class and wealthy prefer the economic migrants, who are 'grateful for any morsel they are offered.'
Mike, we are the only industrialized country that does not treat healthcare as a human right and provide some form of universal health care. All studies indicate that it is actually more cost effective, but more importantly has better health outcomes, The US has the most expensive healthcare with the worst outcomes of any industrialized nation. We could take the best practices of all the other countries and make the best healthcare system in the world. Saying we can’t afford it is a Republican chant because they want to use it as a political tool during elections, They don’t want to solve the problems of the people. They want to stir up fear and anger to garner votes. I would ask you to re-examine how you came to this thinking , check out the facts, and see if you still really find it valid.
Rubbish. If we rationalized the delivery of healthcare, everyone could be insured to a very high level, and the nation would save $1 trillion a year. I've co-authored a book about it: Healing American Healthcare.
Yes. In theory this is all true. And for years it was true in Canada. (It’s actually Universal Health Insurance, not Healthcare). We are free to select our own Doctors, etc. However, our system is not functioning properly now. There is a huge shortage of Drs and Nurses and Hospital workers. It’s quite scary. Many people in our province do not have a family Dr. and are stuck with waiting in walk-in clinics or waiting in Emergency.
The System is Federal, but administered by each province.
You are spot on Biden works for all American, but as a nation ( the richest on the planet) but probably the worst in provision of services compared to all western countries.Americans have to come to Terms with some socialistic concepts such as universal health care and aim for basic levels of income for all.As a nation you have a major drugs problem and you keep blaming the stuff coming from countries in the South , they are only filling the demand(concept of captilasim SUPPLY & DEMAND).Americans must ask themselves the question "Why is the drug problem so big in USA ? Once you answer that question you can start to sort it , don't blame the people who are simply filling the demand and most of the drug lords in USA are Americans and not immigrants.I don't live in US but was shocked what I saw In San Francisco, Texas and some rural states.
Anil, well said. we need to stop seeing the word socialism and being afraid. I am sure we all love the library system which is basically a socialistic system, A blend of socialism and responsible capitalism is needed.
I agree if you see my comments earlier that democracy is not the cause of USA problems but unfettered capitalism resulting in the rich corporations and the rich are running the country not the president, or the two houses or any goverment institutions, I.e. is destroying democracy where reprenratives of the people behave like sheep and vote purely on partisan lines and not on the basis of what's good for the country.
I always wonder if legalizing almost all drugs and covering their costs by insurance would drive cartels out of business. If insurance covered rehab and other treatments for addictions (from food to gambling) what would be the impact on human health & wealth? Not to mention we could end the war on drugs and spend that money to provide total healthcare for all. More hospital beds fewer jail cell bunks.
Catherine, this an interesting thought. We've already lost the war on drugs, and incarcerating millions might prove unafordable. It has also turned police forces into predatory, paranoid institutions.
Again, this narrative excludes some important context- (1946 to 1979. This was the time when America’s middle class grew, upward mobility was the norm, and America became more equal.) It was not the norm for all Americans, African Americans/former slaves were excluded from this upward mobility that created the vastly 'white' middle class. Blacks were redlined and housed in what became known as ghettos. These area were determined as unworthy of investment (the bad parts of town) and that practice was supposed by the federal government. These same areas are still predominately black and mostly considered unworthy of investment (the "bad" parts of town) they are impoverished, they are food deserts, they are poorly resourced, under invested, high poverty, lower education and higher crime. (1980 to 2000 — the era when neoliberalism, deregulation, privatization, globalization, Wall Street, and Ronald Reagan conspired to reverse the path we’d been on. The result was widening inequality, a shrinking middle class, and stalled mobility.) The new Southern Strategy of Reagan's aide- Lee Atwater was a catalyst that helped Reagan successfully move from a period where Government assistance (that had just build the middle class) was perceived as good and widely accepted by white Americans (who had just benefited from it) to a point where Government assistant (following Civil Rights Legislation that blacks fougt and died for in the 50's and 60's) was now going to benefit "unworthy" blacks. Those welfare queens didn't deserve Government assistance so the white majority began to perceive that assistance and those who supported it as "bad" and they began to express this belief with their votes against giving their tax dollars to those they deemed unworthy (conveniently forgetting [?] that it was Government assistance that had recently pulled them out of a great depression and world war, they didn't pull themselves up by their own boot straps like they now insisted everyone else should). It was their effort to keep blacks from Government assistance that then turned many Americans against what the previously supported, and had, almost exclusively, benefited from. This helped facilitate the transition that Reagan sought and successfuly guided. And why we can't get out of our own way (come together) to "have nice things for us all" (credit to Heather McGhee). This is why many fight against government, as the enemy, rather than recognize it as their tool and as the power of the people.
You captured a lot and it’s true. As I tell my wife occasionally after we hear about another example of corruption, or another senseless shooting, “aren’t humans wonderful!!”
Our government needs to clean up its act and prove to all of us that they will work to make sure every American has the same ability to live the “American Dream”. I believe President Biden and his administration are working hard to make us the country that all other countries aspire to be.
With 75%-80% or so of Americans desperately wanting PROGRESS, I find it hard to believe Bunkerboy's REgressive movement will last after he goes to the warmest place imaginable . . . "with tears in his eyes."
He is a DEMIGOD and nothing more, so his a-movement WILL collapse with his imminent demise! Who will take over? His water-headed sons? Cancunccruz, THE most despised man in 'Murican politics?
I believe it's fairly obvious that the readers of Dr Reich's publications agree that our democracy in the US is dependent upon our leaders having integrity and respect. They would also most likely agree as I do that our political system is in the throes of dealing with powers at Large who are resistant to those aspirations. This fact drives me and I'm sure our fellow readers to want to take some direct and powerful action in response in order to prevent our current form of government from faltering. I will cut to the chase and state that we need a leader who can guide and organize us to take a physical stance in the form of large demonstrations as is done in other countries where unfairness prevails. I am unaware of the existence of such a leader and would love to know who we can turn to. I'm ready to hit the streets in a well-organized movement. I'm reaching out to you and other concerned readers to get information in these regards. Thank you.
Robert, you’ve done SO much to educate me - helping me to understand and to cast off long-held, wrongheaded notions about our economic history - including the broken contract between employers and employees and their communities, the foolishness of Reganomics, how this lead us to such wide income disparity and the rise of oligarchy. Thank you!
And yet there is almost a whole nation that still needs this education. Robert's explanations of how we have been robbed for 40+ years make perfect sense, but there are many people that need to see it as well. A few lightbulbs might go off.
I took his 14 part ‘Wealth & Poverty’ class - for FREE! - that he taught at Berkley. It’s terrific! Available on YouTube. Like millions, I was duped by the Red Party BS.
Craig, wow casting off long-held wrongheaded notions takes real courage and honesty. I commend you for not just doing it, but for admitting it . You are in inspiration. Thank you
Mike, you must also be lonely or else you wouldn’t keep engaging here. What has all you greed really gotten you? What is your human legacy? What have you contributed to the common good?
This is a troll comment and adds nothing to the conversation. In what ways do you disagree with his analysis? What evidence do you have to support your ideas?
Help your self to sharing a fair response. Professors, really great professors always encourage debate! As it stands, not only are you not in your sound mind but you’re challenging others without teaching us why you would say such a thing.
What a herculean effort to bring us up to date on how oligarchy, a word hardly heard of before 2016, became the word du jour. That was the year when audience-loving showman and demagogue-in-waiting Trump, a big time NYC real estate tycoon with orange hair whose eye was always on the biggest sales, the highest rents, the cleverest tax dogging lawyers and the biggest greediest most groveling cooperative bankers of questionable reputation here and abroad, became the President of a country whose history he had no knowledge of, but who knew its hallowed name could be used as a nifty slogan to woo followers.
Now, with new cash support from his own party's funds collected from fawning besotted and rich supporters, he continues to keep his name on the books and even in the hallowed halls of congress as well as in cyberspace itself, spouting the same spiteful lies and insults and seeking even greater power goals that are now leaning dangerously toward totalitarianism and world conquest like his pal Putin.
Correction. The word "oligarchs" became quite common concerning the former Soviet Union >about< the former Soviet Union shortly after it collapsed. It's only become common in US parlance concerning the US in the era of Tovarich МАГАт. (Although, it would've probably been a good thing had it been used about the US even before it was applied to the former Soviet Union when it fell!)
I visited St Petersburg in 2003 and slept on the floor of an extremely low income, educated woman who had to bus across the city to do her laundry because the state-run laundromats had just been privatized and she couldn’t afford their prices. She educated me about how to hitchhike to get around. She was quite aware of who was getting rich but she never used the word oligarch. She called them “New Russians” and warned me never to get into a new, shiny black car if I hitched. Those were the New Russians and they were dangerous people!
Thanks for that. I >vaguely< remember the "New Russians" term or epithet, however it was supposed to be viewed. On the other hand, one usually got kidnapped and forcibly thrown into a "Black Maria" prior to the collapse and I can't imagine someone getting into one voluntarily - no matter how badly they needed a ride!
My host definitely used the term as an epithet, accompanied by an expression that looked as if she was going to spit. And while I was an avid hitchhiker back in the day, the world has changed and it is now too dangerous. I especially wouldn’t hitch in a country where I don’t know the language!
These days, I wouldn't hitch a ride anywhere outside the US! (Indeed, even >within< the US, for that matter!) In an earlier time, I'm aware other countries put up with US tourists out of a certain tolerance & respect. We don't seem to be so popular elsewhere, these days. I don't think US emigres would be so well received elsewhere, as some seem to believe, either - at least not without having friends of family living where you'd be going.
I had lovely experiences hitchhiking in Greece (50 years ago!), but I was traveling with Ruth, who spoke passable Greek... and Greek-speaking Americans were such a novelty then that we were often treated to glasses of ouzo (I hated licorice so Ruth had to tell me NOT to make a face when I drank it!). All other hitching was in the US, where I crisscrossed the country a couple of times per year. Met many cool people. But those days are long gone.
Professor Reich, that video was great!! I enjoyed watching you put it in pictures!! You are so right, a picture is worth a thousand words. Basically, that last panel could change depending on us, the American people. Do we want our country to move forward or are we going to give it up to the oligarchs and dictators? I will vote Blue with the hope that the majority of us do the same. We have a great country and we can continue to have a great country if Americans are willing to fight for it. Anytime I ever had something horrible happen in my life, my mom would always tell me "it's just a glitch, not a catastrophe!" America has experienced a glitch with trump and his maga cult but it doesn't have to be a catastrophe!! Vote! Vote! Vote!
I'm certainly going to try voting for the lesser of two evils again and try to persuade others to also vote for Biden, but I question whether this system is ever going to get the people what we need to live without fear of homelessness and food insecurity. It is time for a reorganization of the system. I'm learning from Reich, Richard Wolff, Hartmann, Michael Hudson, Maddow, HCR, Vance, and Olbermann adds a large dose of common sense to current events with the first half of his podcast. The comments stimulate me to think and consider what has been presented.
We should be ready with a plan for how to create a better, more equal society if and when the next collapse occurs. I recently learned about historical quivers from one of Sean Munger's history lessons. From my inexact memory, it is an event that shows a weakness in the system that was thought to be ongoing and stable. I think we have seen several in the past decade or so.
Another Carlin quote comes to mind as I think about watching events unfold this year, "When you're born, you get a ticket to the freak show. When you're born in America, you get a front row seat." George Carlin.
Gloria, I, too, am learning so much from the podcasts that I read and listen to. For one thing, I simply cannot believe that any American would sympathize, promote, or even respect putin!! I see comments from other places where an American citizen says putin is intelligent and knows how to lead!! It completely baffles me!! That man, like trump, is a narcissistic sociopath!! He has people killed for not bowing to him or for even questioning his ideas!! How could anyone in our country support that? I have nothing but disdain for that man!!
Any suggestion that Trump and Biden are comparable as evil is not acceptable. Mistakes are not evil and we all have our share of those. Evil however requires intent and does not fit this comparison.
My take: Once our government is blue again, that is the time to critique the Democrats and get in their faces to make changes. I’m like you, Peggy, believing in this country. I’m disappointed and worried about Democrats who think this is the time to “send a message” by voting third party or staying home. The message is useless if TFG wins.
Marge, Citizens United, corporations as individuals must immediately be dismissed and the Supreme Jesters doubled with staggered term limits, ethic clauses, impeachment possibilities, and very uncomfortable work spaces for the partisans currently operating for richy rich and the corporations. Dems are responding to the same pressures for reelection .
You're right, Marge. You may not like or agree with everything President Biden does, but voting third party or staying home only ensures that you will definitely NOT like who takes over!!! Vote Blue! Don't sit this one out or it could be the last time you do get to vote!!
Full of invaluable insights. One proposed correction: Ronald Reagan, yes, but also countless Dems, from Clinton to Obama, who embraced (and were embraced by) Wall Street style free-marketeerism and deregulation, revolving door bankers in the Treasury (eg Bob Rubin from Goldman to Treasury Sec pushing through the repeal of Glass-Steagall and then revolving on to Citi to reap his rewards). Matt Stoller's brilliant book Goliath describes the sea change in Democrats in the 70s, from those who had experienced the Great Depression and were labor-friendly to those who believed they could have their Wall Street cake and eat it too.
Reich has a bit of a blind side to how far Clinton went ,implementing better Republican strategies than the republicans, which is part of why they hated him so much.
In thinking beyond 2016, I suggest we start by recognizing that Trump, contrary to any other current (and here I emphasize current) political figure has built an actual movement. Trump’s illiberal orthodoxy notwithstanding, he is a masterful organizer who, by stoking the grievances (many legitimate) of a sizable swath of the country that doubts politicians, by and large, care about them, singularly has created an experience for his followers bigger than their individual selves that binds them, albeit it in an authoritarian bind, to a community.
Accordingly, my interests lie in efforts to lay the groundwork for building a countervailing nationwide pro-democracy movement rooted in giving each person a dignified voice in the decision-making systems that guide and regulate her or his life and, likewise, are wedded to the rule of law and the Constitution. My point is that our side, too, requires a kind of public awakening that allows us to transcend our admittedly legitimate grievances and connects us to a profound sense of democracy not top down, but from the inside, from bottom up, from citizens. In my view, the outcome not only of the 24 election but also of the foreseeable future rests with how effectively we unite under this alternate, opposite vision..
Excellent idea, Barbara! I've thought of such a movement, too, led by politicians & journalists like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley, the Squad, Robert Reich, Thom Hartmann, etc. I even thought of building it around a Martin Luther King like statement like his "I Have a Dream" speech, maybe make it "I Have a Vision", & describe the various positive ways this country & world could & should be better based on environmentalism, justice, democracy, etc. We could even call ourselves "Visionaries" haha!
Jaime, I’m currently part of a group, who, sensing our grassroots engagement has remained largely invisible to the public-at-large, has started laying the groundwork for building a nationwide pro-democracy movement rooted both in mutual respect and social accountability and in its fidelity to the rule of law and the Constitution. While we are nearing the stage of reaching out to prominent figures to help bring recognition to the project, we have been advised that the work has not yet passed muster. Once it’s ready to deploy, I’ll be back in touch with you.
Barbara, wish you success in your endeavor. I hope you can unite people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, country of origin, etc and let them all see that any arguement the republicans throw out to cause hatred of some “other” causing division is just a strategy to defeat the will of the people. It is the main strategy used by Republicans since Reagan and it has empowered the rich and worsened the quality of life for the majority. It is no longer the right vs the left, or,Republicans vs Democrats. It is the very rich vs the rest of us.
Linda, I greatly appreciate your reply. It will serve to reinforce the importance of calling for justice and for unity, for reform and against division, for the crying need to bring the country together.
Barbara, I agree completely. This is why I have personally given an alternative to capitalism, Economic Democracy, my close scrutiny and support. It is a bold vision based on a variety of economic cooperatives and strategies to prevent capital from being drained out of local communities. In this system there is still room for capitalism, but on a small scale for small business and not unregulated mega multi-national corporations.
Marc, You might recall, on occasion, we have exchanged views, wherein I believe we mostly were in agreement. At the time, I employed the term Democratic Socialism because I was focused more broadly on the character and direction of society.
But Europe that is closer to democratic democracy is being tricked into authoritarianism with a campaign of hating immigrants. The sanctions against Russian oil is ruining their economies with Germany being ruined. I seems the class war is waged on one part of the world at a time and now it's Europe's turn again before we have even recovered.
Gloria, As with the States, Europe is not just one thing. Both at home and abroad, I believe we have to be willing to engage in a struggle for increasing social and economic justice for increasing numbers of people today who feel overwhelmed and marginalized by institutionally oppressive forces largely beyond their individual control.
Of course. I'm willing to engage, but what's the best way? Is it doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome? Is that the definition of insanity? Einstein?
Gloria, In my view, between now and November, we focus on the States. My principal “go to” for how to help our candidates, up and down the ballot, expressly in battleground states, get elected has been Simon Rosenberg’s Hopium Chronicles Substack.
@BarbaraJo You're right. Except his leadership and policies hurt 90% of his followers' physical and physical health.
I'm not a psychiatrist, but for about a third of Trump's cult, it's a form of self immolation. I'd say they are mostly immature, operating at a male pre puberty stage and need treatment. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15896226/ It's hazardous to good mental health.
For others, it's religious devotion if not obligation.
If I were writing advertising copy for say, the Lincoln Project, 2 versions.
1. Board certified psychiatrists explaining that the Republican Party has been taken over by demagogues and psychotics. "Want to feel better? Avoid stress? Vote for Democrats!"
2. Religious leaders saying that the orange antichrist is demonic.
I agree with what you said, but I see a loose association between the link and Trump followers. I don't think Trump followers know they are self harming.
Daniel. You are in essence saying they are “deplorables”-uneducated and crazy. What they really need is recognition of their labors, good jobs with livable wages, a fair shake.
Are there reprehensibles, yes, in both major parties. Look at what DP did to Sanders candidacy. Trump is a sly dangerous man, and no matter his evil, he is a martyr to many who see a system out of control beating up on him. I really don’t see any way out of this except with blood in the streets. With endless wars, climate disaster, 34 plus trillion in debt, constant propaganda and spying on and manipulation of its own citizens, this Empire is on the verge. Maybe if there was reverse of Citizens United, tossing lobbyists out of Congress, a cut in the Defense budget, and a significant tax on the 1% holding most of the wealth in this country, along with social programs benefiting all, a Manhattan type project to deal with global warming, do I see some light at the end of the tunnel. Do I ask for too much???
That is the genius of Trump. He appeals to multiple factions by promising them what they want or need. For the rich there is deregulation and massive tax breaks. And if you think about it, when I grew up there was a single family income that supported a family’s needs. Now to be successful with a good job is not easy, with the need often of two earners in the family, the need for others to care for their children, and for most there is the loss of pensions, job security, expensive inadequate health insurance, and the loss of other benefits. Meanwhile the CEO’s and shareholders rake in the majority of the wealth. Even the people with perfectly good jobs do not necessarily feel future security, especially in a rigged system. How many bankers went to jail for fraud at crashing the financial system in 2008. None. How many millions lost their jobs, homes, savings during that same period? Trump unfortunately is still looked at as a businessman, with the supposed knowledge to run the government correctly!! And he wants to destroy the rigged system. Very appealing to many.
Daniel, I agree the MAGA cult, largely under the influence of a demagogue who presents himself as the savior, particular of white people, will vote counter to their interests and concerns. Hence, for the sake of “persuadables,” Democratic leadership must be focused and disciplined and not allow the MAGA Party’s deceptions and distortions to go unanswered. In my view, this is how MAGA becomes increasingly diminished.
However, the main goal is to win. For us, need to concentrate on opposing Fascism. Too many shuffling the chairs on the Titanic. A LOT of Robert's readers, sorry to say do not get the clear and present danger we face NOW. ,
To win, to increase our market share, need to concentrate of finding, recruiting, executing on new voters who can outnumber the opposition.
I'm in a DNC program... Building Bridges for America. https://www.buildingbridgesforamerica.com/ Has worked out the psychology how to turn MAGATs and "lumpen" enough to empower Democratic candidates.
Here in Baghdad By the Sea the most vigorous MAGATs are NOT "white" as evidenced by the Proud Boys' infiltration of the Republican Party.
All politics is local. Need to have a separate take in say, Miami than Chicago.
Meanwhile, IMHO Biden and the DNC need to smile and project confidence, not react to bad circumstances.
Daniel, I was struck by Dr Reich’s timeline, in particular the decades of the American oligarchs draining the wealth and eviscerating the safety net for millions of Americans. He includes references to anger. I think that reference should be bright red, as that seems to me to be the impetus for the current rise of populism. Sadly, TFFG and the Oligarchs high-jacked that anger to make things worse. Much worse!
Here’s something I don’t get, Marge. Plenty of us on the left are angry too, but we don’t express our anger by becoming violent and irrational. What is the difference between us and them then?
One possibility: people with very conservative views have been shown to have a larger amygdala- which increases their propensity to anger. Anger overrides their prefrontal cortex so they are less amenable to facts/rational discussion. If a liberal has a smaller amygdala, perhaps she is less angry and more rational? (Works for me!)
Paula, I expect, as we elect increasingly more progressives, we can expect increasing calls for social and economic reforms for increasing numbers of people who feel overwhelmed and marginalized by institutionally oppressive forces largely beyond their individual control..
Don't forget in column one, with the rise of the middle class & economic equality, the rise of the educated..I know that might complicate your simpler picture, but one of the major reasons for the shift by 1979 was the end of civics being taught in high schools because of our government being upset by the educated young people protesting Vietnam War. I was one of the last to be taught civics. I had it in seventh grade. I had American history in eighth, and we moved to a new school district in the middle of that year. I remember in ninth grade, our world history class was now called Social Studies and I remember my teacher talking to herself out loud saying, something like, im teaching concepts vs something else, and I remember this shift. I was just 14 years old. I also remember being completely flummoxed when I was in my 30s and a good friend of mine told me how much her savvy young liberal daughter had loved Ronald Reagan when he was in office, and me being perplexed by that because I remember how upset I was when Reagan allowed bad economic policy to pass..he allowed companies to not monopolize but to own the other companies they relyed on..what I called linear monopolies, not buy competitors..ie, if car companies buy tire companies, they no longer negotiate tire prices, they set them internally..and I was amazed how no one seemed to counter this new unhealthy economic idea Reagan was allowing. I saw and was aware of this educational shift..I lived the change and then saw the result, when I heard about my friend's young daughter thinking Reagan was wonderful, despite being the Republican who actually openly implemented the conservative shifts in the American systems.
I witnessed & lived how the shift in our national education shift led to our nation being shepherded into this economic shift and the our educated youth being led down the path without und
That education shift and Reagan brainwashed an entire generation, maybe two. It created a “I can get something for nearly nothing” mentality. Lower taxes, bigger debts, kick it all down the road, greed is good - I got mine, cheap prices for crap quality is okay - not my job being offshored. Bill comes due, my pay is flat but my boss got a huge raise, prices are skyrocketing so I better blame the people that started saying this was all wrong back in the ‘80’s cause it can’t be what I believed was right.
Americans are incredibly short sighted. Don’t want to be told what to do while being unknowingly herded like sheep.
It’s an amazing paradox of what’s-in-it-for-me until the voting booth where its vote for the person/party that could care less about me.
Your “Big Picture” is an inspired and very worthwhile undertaking, Professor Reich. After it completes its tour around the country [the World?] this year, I humbly suggest it could ultimately be installed in one of the Museums on The Mall in D.C. We thank you for your kind, artful guidance.
True. You can only do so much in a big picture. In addition to climate change I would add Citizen United decision (2010). But he has titled that period 2010-2016 The Big Backlash, and the last period 2016-2050 The Real Choice Ahead and these 2 proposed additions don't fit nicely under those titles and his focus for those years.
Jan - Robert had included a link to download to Dropbox (at least that is where it took me from the YouTube site) in the comments section right below the video. I promptly went to download it since I too wanted more time studying it. Thank you Robert for including that link and for all that you do for us!
M Tree - You are very welcome and someone else further down actually pasted the direct link (something I am not very good at) in case that helps you even more! His drawing is definitely something to keep.
Bravo, bravo, bravo! I love it. I can imagine "the big picture" on the side of every truck in America (ok maybe not Amazon's), on every billboard in America, and projected at night on buildings across America. I can imagine a collective OMG, a mass awakening that people came to on their own, the best kind of awakening.
I can imagine some fun-loving people dropping "the big picture" truth outta airplanes to innocently float down to Maga rally goers.
I can imagine millions of copies of "the big picture" stacked up free for the taking at libraries, churches, Dem candidate & party events, colleges, community meeting places, etc. I can imagine me and countless other Democracy defenders pulling them out of our back pockets or from under our arms, and handing them to our fellow citizens to find the truth for themselves. The best way to find the truth.
And I can imagine the largest, quickest, collective awakening in our nation's history. And I can imagine the most diverse and beautiful people, more united and determined to strengthen their Democracy than ever before. And I can imagine us voting all the current bums out and getting started on glory.
M, I foresee in your comment the groundwork for a movement in which everyday people, acting in concert, determine the character and direction of our society.
RIGHT! This is so good! What if communities and campus' would have events/parties to show this on a big screen, or a digital projector on a big wall? Maybe monthly or weekly parties featuring Inequality Media videos?
Maybe call them Democracy Nights, or Progressive Parties, or Inequality Media Mixers, or Robert's Rules of RE-Order? Okay, that last one is too wonky. But how about... WONKY TONKIN with Robert Reich!?
I think much of the power of Dr. Reich’s drawing derives from the act of drawing. There is time to consider each column as it is drawn, followed by waiting for and then reading how that column directly leads to the next. Just looking at the entire, fully completed Big Picture requires more effort and may result in less retention. Dr. Reich is a masterful educator and the learning involved in watching the picture emerge is profound.
RIGHT! You took the words out of my mouth, only I was going to say RR is a National Treasure! He's my hero! 😊
This is so good! What if communities and campus' would have events/parties to show this on a big screen, or a digital projector on a big wall? Maybe monthly or weekly parties featuring Inequality Media videos?
Maybe call them Democracy Nights, or Progressive Parties, or Inequality Media Mixers, or Robert's Rules of RE-Order? Okay, that last one is too wonky. But how about... WONKY TONKIN with Robert Reich!? 😊
Our county Democratic Party office, in our small IL town, in our red county, has a lot of large windows. Your "Big Picture" video is amazing and got me thinking. Could I move our large screen TV to the window and show your video on a loop? I'm going to try. I will also have a large print made. Thank you, you are a National Treasure.
This is exactly why WISDOM IS SO IMPORTANT!
Professor Reich has shown how we got here. It’s up to all Americans to decide what our future holds and what our children will have to look forward to! Do we want President Biden and his administration who works for all Americans or the other guys who coddle the rich!
Quite right. As a lumper rather than a sorter, let me suggest that the one basic cause of the unraveling of America was the massive reduction in taxes on the wealthy and the corporations introduced by Reagan and his handlers. From this, all else flows. It led to a massive and rapid increase in the power of corporations, and the wealth of their investors, in particular the power to influence government to relax antitrust legislation and other regulatory devices, resulting in a trend against the free market and towards monopoly, leading to ever greater concentrations of power and wealth by the few.
Sanders is right. Step 1 should be a massive increase in taxes on the corporations and on the truly wealthy. From this, all else flows back: education, universal healthcare of high quality, and infrastructure spending. Which politician has the gonadal tissue to say this? Sanders.
The big picture-- Robert, what you drew on your canvas depicts not how you feel but rather who you are. The mind we gained a peek into reflects images of a man we've all grown to know and respect. However, the theme I admire the most, is found on the faces of the people you immortalize. These simple characters, for the most part, are all smiling. Robert your glass is obviously half full. Whatever it is you're drinking, I only wish there was enough for everyone to have a sip.
@Donald. I'd vote for a yellow dog (preferably a golden retriever) than for any Republican.
And we were taught to keep a stiff upper lip.... It mostly hurts when we smile.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfsmmk93H3I
Hello Dolly---It's so nice to have you back where you belong---
We need mountains of HOPE and Torrents of action! Every generation has to be mobilized into a movement of rebirth of Democracy.
And we need to get the obscene amounts of money out of politics. The Citizens United decision was so destructive.
Feel the Bern!
If only (The DNC had not put their thumb on the scale)
Professor Reich, thank you for "The Big Picture." I agree with it all. The Big Question is: how do we get to the positive outcome? If Biden wins or Trump wins, we will have two different struggles on our hands. One question is "How do we get capitalism under control given that the radicals on the right have infiltrated so much of different levels of government and capitalism is now so strong?" If Trump wins, "How do we rebuild our economy and democracy after it inevitably implodes and the economy crashes once again?"
FDR's New Deal was a success partially because he was handed an economy in ruins and a population in mental depression as well as economic depression. He had a vision to put into action. Is it time for us to create a new vision also? The Declaration of Independence was an audacious vision but without it's bold creation, where would we be? It was a recognition that the efforts to "put guardrails around" British rule had failed. Colonialism could not be reformed. Can capitalism be reformed or do we need a new declaration or vision?
Capitalism must be regulated. That means restoration of free markets. That means we have to wring out of the economy the obscene amounts of wealth associated with the top 0.1%, and use this money to establish universal healthcare and engage in much needed infrastructure spending. That means much higher taxes. That means politicians who are bold. It's what 70% of voters want.
And, to your point, Trump has shown that we also need the removal of kingly powers from the office of President, and the elimination of the Electoral College. The Constitution needs further amendments to accommodate these changes.
Part of that vision is a Rural New Deal
https://ruralurbanbridge.org/ .
What about the Monsanto effect? The poisoning of Americans farmland and GMO seeds? The lawsuits destroying neighboring farmers due to poison drift but the neighbors blamed? Destruction of insects, which will lead to our destruction, which we likely deserve in light of our rape of earth? The lack of interest in regenerative farming practices across the Midwest despite neighbors doing well with this? Big Farma/AG eating all the farm subsidies with lots of relatives 'getting our tax money to do whatever they want?' China and Bill Gates buying the Midwest cheap with no obstructions, including water rights. Poisoned water from Monsanto everywhere, but no one talks about the bottled water (nanoplastics), many Midwest pockets must use?
I liked the look of your website but did not see these heart issues. Can't beat around the bush anymore.
Vicki - so true, and so little spoken of. We're destroying (even without global climate change) our environment, which sustains all life. We live in a stew of chemical pollution which kills and poisons life. A simple example:
Tire dust, chemicals and particulates which result from the wearing of tires on pavement, have six documented carcinogens. Another example: Men world-wide are experiencing declining, and damaged sperm because of exposure to environmental toxins. Most of these chemicals are unstudied, unregulated, and who knows what the synergistic effects of them on our bodies? Many mimic hormones, some mimic chemicals that regulate our genes. GMO's only work with staggering amounts of herbicides and pesticides, and the seed base of our food supply is lost. monoculture always leads to disease and environmental destruction.
Hugely important, Vicki. Of course there is also voter suppression, women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, affordable HOUSING. I think each could have their own wall-sized picture. I think Dr Reich was smart to limit it to economics, as it results in a very compelling history that is understandable to all. I’m sharing it. I hope someone will try to do something similar for environmental issues, HOUSING, voting, etc. Are you inspired?
HI Marge,
Unlikely Reich, I do not think the world will look like it does now in 2050. Humans will survive in small groups all over the world. Think Chernobyl and the forested natures with scattered humans who stayed and survived. WE have had so many decades to improve, so many resources and yet, look what we, the wealthiest country have done-just like Rome... I also offer no sympathy to all the white men who have left the white supremacist structure in place, the guns, and the lack of ERA passage, of course Roe. The fact that we women are subhuman is beyond repair and that nothing is done is beyond imagination. I do not think it is a ' mistake'. It is a calculation to keep their power over all, their comfort, themselves.
I was replying to the rural/urban divide post.. I have stronger secessionist thoughts than the writer who brought this up, due to my questions and the persistent lack of answers. Rodale organic farming has been with us since the 1950s, maybe earlier. Is it not okay to respond to one of the posts by another on this website? Are you the overseer? Repeatedly on these Reich responses are incrementalist suggestions-from the generation who knew in the 1960s the environmental concerns pending if we continued on the path of incessant growth, chemical poisons, greed, prestige and power.. But, this is what most chose, especially the more aggressive powerful. And, look what a sh_t show we have now....
Like minds (you and I) need to find others who have the same vision. All is lost if our environment can't sustain us. Who will collapse first?
Yes, Vicki, we tried to beat around two Bush presidencies, but apparently it didn’t work.
I have no sympathy for rural America, it is where the MAGA base is located.
Rural America loves Trump.
Not quite right here. FDR created the New Deal to pull the rug out from under a growing and powerful Socialist uprising. The New Deal provided many of the demands of the labor movement. He also threatened to cap corporatist income which is how he got the Right leaning Congress to approve the Deal. See my response to Reich above.
How I would enjoy my own copy of that massive chart by Reich to study and reflect on; makes learning so much easier when done by the best. Graphics beat text 💯 % especially with attention deficits to the written word.
There is only one question. How to keep Trump from winning, because if he does, our economy will more than implode. All will explode and you can kiss representative government, equal rights, freedom of expression, personal freedoms goodbye, to never be seen again.
The Republican party have refined the tools of population control, leaving, as in Hungary, the facade of democracy in place.
Hungary and Russia both have voting, if one is stupid enough to believe that voting alone is a sign of democracy.
All very good points and questions.
Remaining engaged is #1 for Americans. Not allowing ourselves to be distracted, but focused on what we want America to look like.
The Libertarian Party platform is the new declaration: the right to life, liberty, and property. No right to happiness, bad news for the property-less--all of you who rent and subsist on wages alone. Carried to its logical conclusion this declaration means the disenfranchisement of millions.
"concentrations of power and wealth by the few", and it's evil consequence: disinvestment in everyday Americans, which is the second element in the Big Picture.
Now all we need to do is figure how to raise taxes on wealth. Dems are calling for this.
The party that wins in 2024 will get a big say in how to overhaul the tax code when much of the 2017 GOP tax law expires at the end of 2025.
https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report/democrats-keep-up-tax-the-rich-messaging-for-2024-and-beyond.
There was a Dem push to raise the top rate in 2021.
Of course there will be the usual blather from the GOP about how taxing the rich is motivated by wealth envy and will not do any good any way because the government is the problem.
President Eisenhower added the taxes on the rich and corporations..as a Republican, he did not think it was fair the little guy was holding up our country..he felt the wealthy should pay higher taxes and the Corps too. Reagan hurt us bug time
If it wasn't Reagan it would have been another tool.
Tool is a good word but it might be better to use sledge- or jack-hammer. A pile of broken concrete to be cleaned up or thrown through windows by others.
Or another bug (LOL). Just teasing.
Eisenhower would probably be called a bleeding heart liberal today.
And a RINO..how unfortunate
Yes , Higher taxes on all that you state! But spend the revenues not on arms and fighting wars and never winning!
BUT instead on looking after the Americans who need help most
Human needs before human casualties? What a novel idea! too bad it's only fiction.
I agree that with Sanders. I never got the chance to vote for him and I still would if given the opportunity.
I'll suggest Step #1:
Get out of the World Trade Organization and rebuild our industrial base (and tax base)
Step #2
Close the "tax-exempt foundation" loophole for the mega-rich
Step #3
Pass a law that nobody in any corporation can make more then twenty times the salary of the lowest-paid workers.
Step #4
Crash program to develop fusion power so we'll have something to trade with the rest of the world so we can manage all the unpayable debt from Trump's stupid tax cut for the rich and Biden's "spend now, pay it back after I leave office" programs.
Otherwise they can do these kind of things.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/feb/15/we-view-cars-as-works-of-art-the-rise-of-the-luxury-car-gallery?
Bull. This government affords what the oligarchs want to afford.
Quite agree. Read my comment.
It would likely cost far less than our current so-called healthcare system, because 1) people could obtain less expensive preventative care, rather than very expensive treatments for disease; 2) it would eliminate the layers upon layers of expensive bureaucracy - billers, coders, insurance company bean counters, pharmacy benefit managers, battalions of lawyers, etc. etc. - that pervade our current system; and 3) there would be no profit-maximizing commercial insurance companies diverting healthcare dollars to shareholders and exorbitant CEO compensation.
Totally agree.
Less than we pay now.
Mike - the amount we spend in premiums, excessive executive pay, corporate ripoffs of the medicare program - we would come out far ahead in healthcare cost and outcomes if we had universal healthcare. That's right - the amount the common man had to pay in increased taxes would be less than what he pays in premiums for substandard care now. We are now at the mercy (precious little) of the pharma and insurance industry, who spend billions on lobbying to keep us in medical thrall. there is no shortage of money in this country - consider the disposable $23.8 billion just wagered on the toilet bowl alone.
Paul,
AS a Nurse in healthcare since the 1970s, doctors brought business into healthcare in the 1990s to sharpen the reimbursement for themselves. This pushed Nurses to the sidelines with their projects despite increasing education, vision to develop health resources for more of us, and focused on reimbursement. Nurses are the only legal 'check and balance' on doctors in the healthcare system. What the doctors 'forgot' was that the business folk would want the pie, not to share that with the poor ole doctees. So, the business folk in healthcare brought under their umbrellas, legions of unneeded , non medical folk into the institutions. Too big to fail, like the banks.. Would unemploy too many. (WE used to have one secretarial staff per Nursing unit. ) Would have to be matched with a green new deal jobs program and income to succeed now. Business has destroyed US healthcare and will continue to. What is left of public health, hospice, home care, mental health, substance abuse, nursing home and long term care, rehabs , pediatrics, now women's health, midwifery is a shell of what could have evolved. The good ole USA, money ,power, and prestige..
And, we wonder why this bizarre society has produced so many angry and mentally ill folk and why many middle class and wealthy prefer the economic migrants, who are 'grateful for any morsel they are offered.'
Mike, we are the only industrialized country that does not treat healthcare as a human right and provide some form of universal health care. All studies indicate that it is actually more cost effective, but more importantly has better health outcomes, The US has the most expensive healthcare with the worst outcomes of any industrialized nation. We could take the best practices of all the other countries and make the best healthcare system in the world. Saying we can’t afford it is a Republican chant because they want to use it as a political tool during elections, They don’t want to solve the problems of the people. They want to stir up fear and anger to garner votes. I would ask you to re-examine how you came to this thinking , check out the facts, and see if you still really find it valid.
and yet other countries manage it. There are many ways to do it with the government having a smaller or larger role vis-s-vis the private sector.
Especially on Mars.
Rubbish. If we rationalized the delivery of healthcare, everyone could be insured to a very high level, and the nation would save $1 trillion a year. I've co-authored a book about it: Healing American Healthcare.
Yes. In theory this is all true. And for years it was true in Canada. (It’s actually Universal Health Insurance, not Healthcare). We are free to select our own Doctors, etc. However, our system is not functioning properly now. There is a huge shortage of Drs and Nurses and Hospital workers. It’s quite scary. Many people in our province do not have a family Dr. and are stuck with waiting in walk-in clinics or waiting in Emergency.
The System is Federal, but administered by each province.
Annie, thank you for this valuable information. We must beware of wishful thinking.
You are spot on Biden works for all American, but as a nation ( the richest on the planet) but probably the worst in provision of services compared to all western countries.Americans have to come to Terms with some socialistic concepts such as universal health care and aim for basic levels of income for all.As a nation you have a major drugs problem and you keep blaming the stuff coming from countries in the South , they are only filling the demand(concept of captilasim SUPPLY & DEMAND).Americans must ask themselves the question "Why is the drug problem so big in USA ? Once you answer that question you can start to sort it , don't blame the people who are simply filling the demand and most of the drug lords in USA are Americans and not immigrants.I don't live in US but was shocked what I saw In San Francisco, Texas and some rural states.
Anil, well said. we need to stop seeing the word socialism and being afraid. I am sure we all love the library system which is basically a socialistic system, A blend of socialism and responsible capitalism is needed.
I agree if you see my comments earlier that democracy is not the cause of USA problems but unfettered capitalism resulting in the rich corporations and the rich are running the country not the president, or the two houses or any goverment institutions, I.e. is destroying democracy where reprenratives of the people behave like sheep and vote purely on partisan lines and not on the basis of what's good for the country.
It is called regulation with backup!!!!
You don’t even live in the USA and you can see the real issues we are facing because of the richest having control of our government.
I always wonder if legalizing almost all drugs and covering their costs by insurance would drive cartels out of business. If insurance covered rehab and other treatments for addictions (from food to gambling) what would be the impact on human health & wealth? Not to mention we could end the war on drugs and spend that money to provide total healthcare for all. More hospital beds fewer jail cell bunks.
Catherine, this an interesting thought. We've already lost the war on drugs, and incarcerating millions might prove unafordable. It has also turned police forces into predatory, paranoid institutions.
Well, at least in NY they didn't replace Santos with a pillock! 😏🙄
There is more than the struggle for money...
Again, this narrative excludes some important context- (1946 to 1979. This was the time when America’s middle class grew, upward mobility was the norm, and America became more equal.) It was not the norm for all Americans, African Americans/former slaves were excluded from this upward mobility that created the vastly 'white' middle class. Blacks were redlined and housed in what became known as ghettos. These area were determined as unworthy of investment (the bad parts of town) and that practice was supposed by the federal government. These same areas are still predominately black and mostly considered unworthy of investment (the "bad" parts of town) they are impoverished, they are food deserts, they are poorly resourced, under invested, high poverty, lower education and higher crime. (1980 to 2000 — the era when neoliberalism, deregulation, privatization, globalization, Wall Street, and Ronald Reagan conspired to reverse the path we’d been on. The result was widening inequality, a shrinking middle class, and stalled mobility.) The new Southern Strategy of Reagan's aide- Lee Atwater was a catalyst that helped Reagan successfully move from a period where Government assistance (that had just build the middle class) was perceived as good and widely accepted by white Americans (who had just benefited from it) to a point where Government assistant (following Civil Rights Legislation that blacks fougt and died for in the 50's and 60's) was now going to benefit "unworthy" blacks. Those welfare queens didn't deserve Government assistance so the white majority began to perceive that assistance and those who supported it as "bad" and they began to express this belief with their votes against giving their tax dollars to those they deemed unworthy (conveniently forgetting [?] that it was Government assistance that had recently pulled them out of a great depression and world war, they didn't pull themselves up by their own boot straps like they now insisted everyone else should). It was their effort to keep blacks from Government assistance that then turned many Americans against what the previously supported, and had, almost exclusively, benefited from. This helped facilitate the transition that Reagan sought and successfuly guided. And why we can't get out of our own way (come together) to "have nice things for us all" (credit to Heather McGhee). This is why many fight against government, as the enemy, rather than recognize it as their tool and as the power of the people.
You captured a lot and it’s true. As I tell my wife occasionally after we hear about another example of corruption, or another senseless shooting, “aren’t humans wonderful!!”
Our government needs to clean up its act and prove to all of us that they will work to make sure every American has the same ability to live the “American Dream”. I believe President Biden and his administration are working hard to make us the country that all other countries aspire to be.
With 75%-80% or so of Americans desperately wanting PROGRESS, I find it hard to believe Bunkerboy's REgressive movement will last after he goes to the warmest place imaginable . . . "with tears in his eyes."
He is a DEMIGOD and nothing more, so his a-movement WILL collapse with his imminent demise! Who will take over? His water-headed sons? Cancunccruz, THE most despised man in 'Murican politics?
I believe it's fairly obvious that the readers of Dr Reich's publications agree that our democracy in the US is dependent upon our leaders having integrity and respect. They would also most likely agree as I do that our political system is in the throes of dealing with powers at Large who are resistant to those aspirations. This fact drives me and I'm sure our fellow readers to want to take some direct and powerful action in response in order to prevent our current form of government from faltering. I will cut to the chase and state that we need a leader who can guide and organize us to take a physical stance in the form of large demonstrations as is done in other countries where unfairness prevails. I am unaware of the existence of such a leader and would love to know who we can turn to. I'm ready to hit the streets in a well-organized movement. I'm reaching out to you and other concerned readers to get information in these regards. Thank you.
Count me in!
I'm talking about peaceful protests by the way, European style.
Maybe we can pump things up and get others involved.
Robert, you’ve done SO much to educate me - helping me to understand and to cast off long-held, wrongheaded notions about our economic history - including the broken contract between employers and employees and their communities, the foolishness of Reganomics, how this lead us to such wide income disparity and the rise of oligarchy. Thank you!
And yet there is almost a whole nation that still needs this education. Robert's explanations of how we have been robbed for 40+ years make perfect sense, but there are many people that need to see it as well. A few lightbulbs might go off.
I took his 14 part ‘Wealth & Poverty’ class - for FREE! - that he taught at Berkley. It’s terrific! Available on YouTube. Like millions, I was duped by the Red Party BS.
Craig, wow casting off long-held wrongheaded notions takes real courage and honesty. I commend you for not just doing it, but for admitting it . You are in inspiration. Thank you
Yes
My big picture understanding comes down to the right balance between capital and labor.
It’s outta whack, too long weighted toward capital.
Who is your teacher? Greed?
You're not greedy until you want to take other people's money by any means including illegal, cruel, and without conscience.
A lover of silver will never be satisfied with silver, nor a lover of wealth with income. Ecclesiastes 5:10.
A greedy heart does not rest.
Mike, you must also be lonely or else you wouldn’t keep engaging here. What has all you greed really gotten you? What is your human legacy? What have you contributed to the common good?
Are you happy with that choice?
Read some of Robert Reich's books. You might learn something, and if not, at least you will know what you are talking about when you attack him!
This comment proves to me that you are a fool and not worth talking to! I pity you. Goodbye!
Mary Trump's book is not fiction - Too Much and Never Enough.
Mike, you are a poor soul, if what you say is true.
Try Joseph Stiglitz unless you have something against Nobel prize winners in economics. If you disagree fine, but know why you disagree.
Are you a Scientologist, a Christian Science member or just a librarian?
This is a troll comment and adds nothing to the conversation. In what ways do you disagree with his analysis? What evidence do you have to support your ideas?
You seem to be lost. I think you're looking for Breitbart.
Mike. Ok now you’re just being mean and bullheaded. If you don’t want to even consider the information, why are you here?
You know NOTHING about Robert Reich!
Is that a joke? Sounds like a right wing political cartoon. I never quite get what they are trying to say - I guess that's why it is a cartoon. Haha!
Help your self to sharing a fair response. Professors, really great professors always encourage debate! As it stands, not only are you not in your sound mind but you’re challenging others without teaching us why you would say such a thing.
What a herculean effort to bring us up to date on how oligarchy, a word hardly heard of before 2016, became the word du jour. That was the year when audience-loving showman and demagogue-in-waiting Trump, a big time NYC real estate tycoon with orange hair whose eye was always on the biggest sales, the highest rents, the cleverest tax dogging lawyers and the biggest greediest most groveling cooperative bankers of questionable reputation here and abroad, became the President of a country whose history he had no knowledge of, but who knew its hallowed name could be used as a nifty slogan to woo followers.
Now, with new cash support from his own party's funds collected from fawning besotted and rich supporters, he continues to keep his name on the books and even in the hallowed halls of congress as well as in cyberspace itself, spouting the same spiteful lies and insults and seeking even greater power goals that are now leaning dangerously toward totalitarianism and world conquest like his pal Putin.
Correction. The word "oligarchs" became quite common concerning the former Soviet Union >about< the former Soviet Union shortly after it collapsed. It's only become common in US parlance concerning the US in the era of Tovarich МАГАт. (Although, it would've probably been a good thing had it been used about the US even before it was applied to the former Soviet Union when it fell!)
I visited St Petersburg in 2003 and slept on the floor of an extremely low income, educated woman who had to bus across the city to do her laundry because the state-run laundromats had just been privatized and she couldn’t afford their prices. She educated me about how to hitchhike to get around. She was quite aware of who was getting rich but she never used the word oligarch. She called them “New Russians” and warned me never to get into a new, shiny black car if I hitched. Those were the New Russians and they were dangerous people!
Thanks for that. I >vaguely< remember the "New Russians" term or epithet, however it was supposed to be viewed. On the other hand, one usually got kidnapped and forcibly thrown into a "Black Maria" prior to the collapse and I can't imagine someone getting into one voluntarily - no matter how badly they needed a ride!
My host definitely used the term as an epithet, accompanied by an expression that looked as if she was going to spit. And while I was an avid hitchhiker back in the day, the world has changed and it is now too dangerous. I especially wouldn’t hitch in a country where I don’t know the language!
These days, I wouldn't hitch a ride anywhere outside the US! (Indeed, even >within< the US, for that matter!) In an earlier time, I'm aware other countries put up with US tourists out of a certain tolerance & respect. We don't seem to be so popular elsewhere, these days. I don't think US emigres would be so well received elsewhere, as some seem to believe, either - at least not without having friends of family living where you'd be going.
I had lovely experiences hitchhiking in Greece (50 years ago!), but I was traveling with Ruth, who spoke passable Greek... and Greek-speaking Americans were such a novelty then that we were often treated to glasses of ouzo (I hated licorice so Ruth had to tell me NOT to make a face when I drank it!). All other hitching was in the US, where I crisscrossed the country a couple of times per year. Met many cool people. But those days are long gone.
I kind'a suspected it was an epithet. Thanks for making it clear.
Professor Reich, that video was great!! I enjoyed watching you put it in pictures!! You are so right, a picture is worth a thousand words. Basically, that last panel could change depending on us, the American people. Do we want our country to move forward or are we going to give it up to the oligarchs and dictators? I will vote Blue with the hope that the majority of us do the same. We have a great country and we can continue to have a great country if Americans are willing to fight for it. Anytime I ever had something horrible happen in my life, my mom would always tell me "it's just a glitch, not a catastrophe!" America has experienced a glitch with trump and his maga cult but it doesn't have to be a catastrophe!! Vote! Vote! Vote!
I'm certainly going to try voting for the lesser of two evils again and try to persuade others to also vote for Biden, but I question whether this system is ever going to get the people what we need to live without fear of homelessness and food insecurity. It is time for a reorganization of the system. I'm learning from Reich, Richard Wolff, Hartmann, Michael Hudson, Maddow, HCR, Vance, and Olbermann adds a large dose of common sense to current events with the first half of his podcast. The comments stimulate me to think and consider what has been presented.
We should be ready with a plan for how to create a better, more equal society if and when the next collapse occurs. I recently learned about historical quivers from one of Sean Munger's history lessons. From my inexact memory, it is an event that shows a weakness in the system that was thought to be ongoing and stable. I think we have seen several in the past decade or so.
Another Carlin quote comes to mind as I think about watching events unfold this year, "When you're born, you get a ticket to the freak show. When you're born in America, you get a front row seat." George Carlin.
Gloria, I, too, am learning so much from the podcasts that I read and listen to. For one thing, I simply cannot believe that any American would sympathize, promote, or even respect putin!! I see comments from other places where an American citizen says putin is intelligent and knows how to lead!! It completely baffles me!! That man, like trump, is a narcissistic sociopath!! He has people killed for not bowing to him or for even questioning his ideas!! How could anyone in our country support that? I have nothing but disdain for that man!!
Agree. But we need to negotiate with Putin at some point.
Do you negotiate with a dragon?
I think the two most overused words in this world are “investigate” and “negotiate.”
How many more years do trump’s crimes need to be investigated?
How do you negotiate with a rapist attacking your family?
Good point.
As long as whoever is doing the negotiating is not in putin's pocket!! Our leaders must be very wary of any kind of negotiations with dictators.
As long as negotiation isn’t appeasement!
Absolutely!
Any suggestion that Trump and Biden are comparable as evil is not acceptable. Mistakes are not evil and we all have our share of those. Evil however requires intent and does not fit this comparison.
Gloria, I agree with you completely.
My take: Once our government is blue again, that is the time to critique the Democrats and get in their faces to make changes. I’m like you, Peggy, believing in this country. I’m disappointed and worried about Democrats who think this is the time to “send a message” by voting third party or staying home. The message is useless if TFG wins.
Marge, Citizens United, corporations as individuals must immediately be dismissed and the Supreme Jesters doubled with staggered term limits, ethic clauses, impeachment possibilities, and very uncomfortable work spaces for the partisans currently operating for richy rich and the corporations. Dems are responding to the same pressures for reelection .
Citizens United was arguably the most anti-democratic law ever passed!
You're right, Marge. You may not like or agree with everything President Biden does, but voting third party or staying home only ensures that you will definitely NOT like who takes over!!! Vote Blue! Don't sit this one out or it could be the last time you do get to vote!!
Full of invaluable insights. One proposed correction: Ronald Reagan, yes, but also countless Dems, from Clinton to Obama, who embraced (and were embraced by) Wall Street style free-marketeerism and deregulation, revolving door bankers in the Treasury (eg Bob Rubin from Goldman to Treasury Sec pushing through the repeal of Glass-Steagall and then revolving on to Citi to reap his rewards). Matt Stoller's brilliant book Goliath describes the sea change in Democrats in the 70s, from those who had experienced the Great Depression and were labor-friendly to those who believed they could have their Wall Street cake and eat it too.
Yeah. Too bad about the Glass-Steagall Act which protected the public from banks getting into businesses other than banking. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass%E2%80%93Steagall_legislation#Decline_and_repeal
Reich has a bit of a blind side to how far Clinton went ,implementing better Republican strategies than the republicans, which is part of why they hated him so much.
So true.
In thinking beyond 2016, I suggest we start by recognizing that Trump, contrary to any other current (and here I emphasize current) political figure has built an actual movement. Trump’s illiberal orthodoxy notwithstanding, he is a masterful organizer who, by stoking the grievances (many legitimate) of a sizable swath of the country that doubts politicians, by and large, care about them, singularly has created an experience for his followers bigger than their individual selves that binds them, albeit it in an authoritarian bind, to a community.
Accordingly, my interests lie in efforts to lay the groundwork for building a countervailing nationwide pro-democracy movement rooted in giving each person a dignified voice in the decision-making systems that guide and regulate her or his life and, likewise, are wedded to the rule of law and the Constitution. My point is that our side, too, requires a kind of public awakening that allows us to transcend our admittedly legitimate grievances and connects us to a profound sense of democracy not top down, but from the inside, from bottom up, from citizens. In my view, the outcome not only of the 24 election but also of the foreseeable future rests with how effectively we unite under this alternate, opposite vision..
Excellent idea, Barbara! I've thought of such a movement, too, led by politicians & journalists like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley, the Squad, Robert Reich, Thom Hartmann, etc. I even thought of building it around a Martin Luther King like statement like his "I Have a Dream" speech, maybe make it "I Have a Vision", & describe the various positive ways this country & world could & should be better based on environmentalism, justice, democracy, etc. We could even call ourselves "Visionaries" haha!
Jaime, I’m currently part of a group, who, sensing our grassroots engagement has remained largely invisible to the public-at-large, has started laying the groundwork for building a nationwide pro-democracy movement rooted both in mutual respect and social accountability and in its fidelity to the rule of law and the Constitution. While we are nearing the stage of reaching out to prominent figures to help bring recognition to the project, we have been advised that the work has not yet passed muster. Once it’s ready to deploy, I’ll be back in touch with you.
Barbara, wish you success in your endeavor. I hope you can unite people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, country of origin, etc and let them all see that any arguement the republicans throw out to cause hatred of some “other” causing division is just a strategy to defeat the will of the people. It is the main strategy used by Republicans since Reagan and it has empowered the rich and worsened the quality of life for the majority. It is no longer the right vs the left, or,Republicans vs Democrats. It is the very rich vs the rest of us.
Linda, I greatly appreciate your reply. It will serve to reinforce the importance of calling for justice and for unity, for reform and against division, for the crying need to bring the country together.
Me too please!
Paula, Thank you for your interest. I will be back in touch once the proposal passes muster.
👍👍 Thank you, Barbara Jo.
Thank-you! Please do.
Count on it, Jaime.
Barbara, I agree completely. This is why I have personally given an alternative to capitalism, Economic Democracy, my close scrutiny and support. It is a bold vision based on a variety of economic cooperatives and strategies to prevent capital from being drained out of local communities. In this system there is still room for capitalism, but on a small scale for small business and not unregulated mega multi-national corporations.
Marc, You might recall, on occasion, we have exchanged views, wherein I believe we mostly were in agreement. At the time, I employed the term Democratic Socialism because I was focused more broadly on the character and direction of society.
But Europe that is closer to democratic democracy is being tricked into authoritarianism with a campaign of hating immigrants. The sanctions against Russian oil is ruining their economies with Germany being ruined. I seems the class war is waged on one part of the world at a time and now it's Europe's turn again before we have even recovered.
Gloria, As with the States, Europe is not just one thing. Both at home and abroad, I believe we have to be willing to engage in a struggle for increasing social and economic justice for increasing numbers of people today who feel overwhelmed and marginalized by institutionally oppressive forces largely beyond their individual control.
Of course. I'm willing to engage, but what's the best way? Is it doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome? Is that the definition of insanity? Einstein?
Gloria, In my view, between now and November, we focus on the States. My principal “go to” for how to help our candidates, up and down the ballot, expressly in battleground states, get elected has been Simon Rosenberg’s Hopium Chronicles Substack.
Where can I learn about Economic Democracy?
@BarbaraJo You're right. Except his leadership and policies hurt 90% of his followers' physical and physical health.
I'm not a psychiatrist, but for about a third of Trump's cult, it's a form of self immolation. I'd say they are mostly immature, operating at a male pre puberty stage and need treatment. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15896226/ It's hazardous to good mental health.
For others, it's religious devotion if not obligation.
If I were writing advertising copy for say, the Lincoln Project, 2 versions.
1. Board certified psychiatrists explaining that the Republican Party has been taken over by demagogues and psychotics. "Want to feel better? Avoid stress? Vote for Democrats!"
2. Religious leaders saying that the orange antichrist is demonic.
I agree with what you said, but I see a loose association between the link and Trump followers. I don't think Trump followers know they are self harming.
They know they're unhappy. That's why they need 1. education and 2. treatment.
Daniel. You are in essence saying they are “deplorables”-uneducated and crazy. What they really need is recognition of their labors, good jobs with livable wages, a fair shake.
Are there reprehensibles, yes, in both major parties. Look at what DP did to Sanders candidacy. Trump is a sly dangerous man, and no matter his evil, he is a martyr to many who see a system out of control beating up on him. I really don’t see any way out of this except with blood in the streets. With endless wars, climate disaster, 34 plus trillion in debt, constant propaganda and spying on and manipulation of its own citizens, this Empire is on the verge. Maybe if there was reverse of Citizens United, tossing lobbyists out of Congress, a cut in the Defense budget, and a significant tax on the 1% holding most of the wealth in this country, along with social programs benefiting all, a Manhattan type project to deal with global warming, do I see some light at the end of the tunnel. Do I ask for too much???
I understand what you’re saying, Michael, but then why do people with perfectly good jobs support him?
That is the genius of Trump. He appeals to multiple factions by promising them what they want or need. For the rich there is deregulation and massive tax breaks. And if you think about it, when I grew up there was a single family income that supported a family’s needs. Now to be successful with a good job is not easy, with the need often of two earners in the family, the need for others to care for their children, and for most there is the loss of pensions, job security, expensive inadequate health insurance, and the loss of other benefits. Meanwhile the CEO’s and shareholders rake in the majority of the wealth. Even the people with perfectly good jobs do not necessarily feel future security, especially in a rigged system. How many bankers went to jail for fraud at crashing the financial system in 2008. None. How many millions lost their jobs, homes, savings during that same period? Trump unfortunately is still looked at as a businessman, with the supposed knowledge to run the government correctly!! And he wants to destroy the rigged system. Very appealing to many.
Daniel, I agree the MAGA cult, largely under the influence of a demagogue who presents himself as the savior, particular of white people, will vote counter to their interests and concerns. Hence, for the sake of “persuadables,” Democratic leadership must be focused and disciplined and not allow the MAGA Party’s deceptions and distortions to go unanswered. In my view, this is how MAGA becomes increasingly diminished.
@ Barbara. I'm in several groups like that.
However, the main goal is to win. For us, need to concentrate on opposing Fascism. Too many shuffling the chairs on the Titanic. A LOT of Robert's readers, sorry to say do not get the clear and present danger we face NOW. ,
To win, to increase our market share, need to concentrate of finding, recruiting, executing on new voters who can outnumber the opposition.
I'm in a DNC program... Building Bridges for America. https://www.buildingbridgesforamerica.com/ Has worked out the psychology how to turn MAGATs and "lumpen" enough to empower Democratic candidates.
Here in Baghdad By the Sea the most vigorous MAGATs are NOT "white" as evidenced by the Proud Boys' infiltration of the Republican Party.
All politics is local. Need to have a separate take in say, Miami than Chicago.
Meanwhile, IMHO Biden and the DNC need to smile and project confidence, not react to bad circumstances.
Check out “Chop Wood Carry Water!” Jessica Craven.https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/
Daniel, While I already subscribe to Jessica’s “Chop Wood Carry Water,” I just signed up for the “Building Bridges” newsletter. Thanks for the link.
Daniel, I was struck by Dr Reich’s timeline, in particular the decades of the American oligarchs draining the wealth and eviscerating the safety net for millions of Americans. He includes references to anger. I think that reference should be bright red, as that seems to me to be the impetus for the current rise of populism. Sadly, TFFG and the Oligarchs high-jacked that anger to make things worse. Much worse!
Here’s something I don’t get, Marge. Plenty of us on the left are angry too, but we don’t express our anger by becoming violent and irrational. What is the difference between us and them then?
One possibility: people with very conservative views have been shown to have a larger amygdala- which increases their propensity to anger. Anger overrides their prefrontal cortex so they are less amenable to facts/rational discussion. If a liberal has a smaller amygdala, perhaps she is less angry and more rational? (Works for me!)
Oh my. I wonder if you’re right. That would be very strange. Biology is destiny?
I agree. Underestimate Tovarich МАГАт at your peril. Just ask Hillary!
Well said, Barbara!
Thank you Marge. I appreciate your affirming reply.
I always find good messages in your posts.
In other words, we need our own Project 2025, wouldn’t you say?
Paula, Contrary to Democrats who have a Party Platform, the Republicans no longer have one, save MAGA’s Project 2025.
Yes, true. But I’m thinking about a longer-term blueprint.
Paula, I expect, as we elect increasingly more progressives, we can expect increasing calls for social and economic reforms for increasing numbers of people who feel overwhelmed and marginalized by institutionally oppressive forces largely beyond their individual control..
A bunch of selfish, self-interested rich people or Democracy. Not really a choice is it?
Don't forget in column one, with the rise of the middle class & economic equality, the rise of the educated..I know that might complicate your simpler picture, but one of the major reasons for the shift by 1979 was the end of civics being taught in high schools because of our government being upset by the educated young people protesting Vietnam War. I was one of the last to be taught civics. I had it in seventh grade. I had American history in eighth, and we moved to a new school district in the middle of that year. I remember in ninth grade, our world history class was now called Social Studies and I remember my teacher talking to herself out loud saying, something like, im teaching concepts vs something else, and I remember this shift. I was just 14 years old. I also remember being completely flummoxed when I was in my 30s and a good friend of mine told me how much her savvy young liberal daughter had loved Ronald Reagan when he was in office, and me being perplexed by that because I remember how upset I was when Reagan allowed bad economic policy to pass..he allowed companies to not monopolize but to own the other companies they relyed on..what I called linear monopolies, not buy competitors..ie, if car companies buy tire companies, they no longer negotiate tire prices, they set them internally..and I was amazed how no one seemed to counter this new unhealthy economic idea Reagan was allowing. I saw and was aware of this educational shift..I lived the change and then saw the result, when I heard about my friend's young daughter thinking Reagan was wonderful, despite being the Republican who actually openly implemented the conservative shifts in the American systems.
I witnessed & lived how the shift in our national education shift led to our nation being shepherded into this economic shift and the our educated youth being led down the path without und
My parents had a bumper sticker on their pickup truck that said, "Trickle down is trickled on." They were so right.
That education shift and Reagan brainwashed an entire generation, maybe two. It created a “I can get something for nearly nothing” mentality. Lower taxes, bigger debts, kick it all down the road, greed is good - I got mine, cheap prices for crap quality is okay - not my job being offshored. Bill comes due, my pay is flat but my boss got a huge raise, prices are skyrocketing so I better blame the people that started saying this was all wrong back in the ‘80’s cause it can’t be what I believed was right.
Americans are incredibly short sighted. Don’t want to be told what to do while being unknowingly herded like sheep.
It’s an amazing paradox of what’s-in-it-for-me until the voting booth where its vote for the person/party that could care less about me.
Your “Big Picture” is an inspired and very worthwhile undertaking, Professor Reich. After it completes its tour around the country [the World?] this year, I humbly suggest it could ultimately be installed in one of the Museums on The Mall in D.C. We thank you for your kind, artful guidance.
I think it’s a really good overview analysis - one thing missing is climate change how this will impact on the period up to 2050 ?
I saw an article title about something serious happening to the Atlantic Ocean as we speak.
Yes, the currents are stopping or something like that. I heard that means Europe and Russia could dry up.
True. You can only do so much in a big picture. In addition to climate change I would add Citizen United decision (2010). But he has titled that period 2010-2016 The Big Backlash, and the last period 2016-2050 The Real Choice Ahead and these 2 proposed additions don't fit nicely under those titles and his focus for those years.
I enjoyed it but one question. Is there some place we can go to spend more time looking at and thinking about the completed big picture?
Jan - Robert had included a link to download to Dropbox (at least that is where it took me from the YouTube site) in the comments section right below the video. I promptly went to download it since I too wanted more time studying it. Thank you Robert for including that link and for all that you do for us!
Anon, thanks so much for the info.
M Tree - You are very welcome and someone else further down actually pasted the direct link (something I am not very good at) in case that helps you even more! His drawing is definitely something to keep.
Easy fix: https://www.dropbox.com/s/pcjgkp35ytngsn8/BigPicture_Dec2017.jpg?e=1&dl=0
Thanks, D. I just exported it for study.
👍
Bravo, bravo, bravo! I love it. I can imagine "the big picture" on the side of every truck in America (ok maybe not Amazon's), on every billboard in America, and projected at night on buildings across America. I can imagine a collective OMG, a mass awakening that people came to on their own, the best kind of awakening.
I can imagine some fun-loving people dropping "the big picture" truth outta airplanes to innocently float down to Maga rally goers.
I can imagine millions of copies of "the big picture" stacked up free for the taking at libraries, churches, Dem candidate & party events, colleges, community meeting places, etc. I can imagine me and countless other Democracy defenders pulling them out of our back pockets or from under our arms, and handing them to our fellow citizens to find the truth for themselves. The best way to find the truth.
And I can imagine the largest, quickest, collective awakening in our nation's history. And I can imagine the most diverse and beautiful people, more united and determined to strengthen their Democracy than ever before. And I can imagine us voting all the current bums out and getting started on glory.
M, I foresee in your comment the groundwork for a movement in which everyday people, acting in concert, determine the character and direction of our society.
RIGHT! This is so good! What if communities and campus' would have events/parties to show this on a big screen, or a digital projector on a big wall? Maybe monthly or weekly parties featuring Inequality Media videos?
Maybe call them Democracy Nights, or Progressive Parties, or Inequality Media Mixers, or Robert's Rules of RE-Order? Okay, that last one is too wonky. But how about... WONKY TONKIN with Robert Reich!?
Danny Piper, I love it. I can see wider momentum. Yahoo! Something everyone can do.
!!!
I think much of the power of Dr. Reich’s drawing derives from the act of drawing. There is time to consider each column as it is drawn, followed by waiting for and then reading how that column directly leads to the next. Just looking at the entire, fully completed Big Picture requires more effort and may result in less retention. Dr. Reich is a masterful educator and the learning involved in watching the picture emerge is profound.
Marge Wherley, we are so lucky to have a great teacher.
there should be the idiots guide to the big picture where the drawing is even further simplified.
steve reed, perhaps you're right, some may need that.
This should be taught in schools nationwide!
My husband is reading, "The Iron Heel" by Jack London, 1907. He said that this book should be taught in high school.
Must go get this. Thanks!
Of course, it'll be burnt in red states!
Ha ha! Even Florida?
You are brilliant. This is so extensive. Should be housed as a “National Treasure” in Washington DC.
I will have to look at this slowly with many pauses. I love your depiction of Trump. Like we wouldn’t know him without the splotch of orange hair.
Thank you for the time and effort you put in teaching us all. You are much appreciated.
RIGHT! You took the words out of my mouth, only I was going to say RR is a National Treasure! He's my hero! 😊
This is so good! What if communities and campus' would have events/parties to show this on a big screen, or a digital projector on a big wall? Maybe monthly or weekly parties featuring Inequality Media videos?
Maybe call them Democracy Nights, or Progressive Parties, or Inequality Media Mixers, or Robert's Rules of RE-Order? Okay, that last one is too wonky. But how about... WONKY TONKIN with Robert Reich!? 😊
What a lovely thought, Danny! I could just picture it!
Print it please, and tell us where we can order it? 👍😉
Can we get a copy of the your" big picture"
Our county Democratic Party office, in our small IL town, in our red county, has a lot of large windows. Your "Big Picture" video is amazing and got me thinking. Could I move our large screen TV to the window and show your video on a loop? I'm going to try. I will also have a large print made. Thank you, you are a National Treasure.
flyers.
Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP0pRIBRcDk
and here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pcjgkp35ytngsn8/BigPicture_Dec2017.jpg?e=1&dl=0