A Rarely Discussed Inflation Driver: Corporate Profits

[@max3pad372]

I'm glad that this is finally covered in the mainstream media, I do wish there were more segments like this throughout the week to really get the idea across that these record profits and long stagnant wages are the problem.

[@stub2022]

It gets covered constantly, open up your eyes.

[@8088I]

Corporations made a record high profit of $2.1 Trillion in the last Quarter (3Q22), aand the 'Biggliest' MtoBillionaires have been on a 30%+ Wealth Gain p.a. run rate for way more than a decade -until this year. Yet, Nobody has called that inflation, nor even bad inflation, as they do when it appears the servile class 'could' eke out 5%+ for the year - Finally, after '50 years.'

[@8088I]

The Working Poor pay the highest tax in Society!! it's called Exploitation Tax - it's a negative tax taken out "before wages. .. Exploitation Tax = Living Wage - Slave Wage = Societally Sanctioned Wealth Transfer from the Very Poor to the currently Concentrated Capital Holders (e.g not so different than maintaining a Plantation Type ⚡🤕🤜 😢 Ownership Society)

[@sergeant_salty]

Biden says incomes are up. are you lying or is Biden lying?

[@DaveDaShrubber]

Props to Velshi for covering this.

[@michaelslawrie]

This woman is unjustifiably optimistic. In Colorado there are hundreds of landlord associations, no tenant associations. In Broomfield Co. there are tenants who saw 1 Br. rent go from $1,000/mo. to $1,900.00 from 2013 to 2021. Those same where just notified their rent is going to $2,600/mo.! God Bless unbridled American Greed!!!!

[@dragonfox2.058]

If I didn't own my house I'd be homeless

[@humanresources3545]

There are 16 million unoccupied dwellings in the US. In the UK they tax the owners of unoccupied dwellings.

[@bradc32]

not just in the US...

[@selftaopath]

@@humanresources3545 but this is the land of the rich and powerful. Citizens don't matter.

[@MyHalcyonDaysAreHere]

Why are the landlords/owners panicking? Because it really seems like they really are panicking the way rent went up. Do they know something we don't. Incredible.

[@wildabear5671]

Thank you Velshi. So true and glad you brought this out... 👍👍👍

[@joaneskins6510]

Most Corporations and Churches don't pay any Taxes. If they did we could easily fund Universal Health Care for every American Tax Paying Citizen.

[@scabcrawler632]

And permawelfare for social leftist parasites!

[@paleb.e.n.9715]

Actually, I think the inflation reduction act made a mandatory 15% tax on corpos. I think.

[@johnlangevin708]

@@vitalsigns2679 Chill dude, it was an OPINION...

[@TheSurvivalist58]

@@paleb.e.n.9715 yes that bill did pass!

[@seanmccartney5177]

How much would that cost and how much do you need to take in?

[@patriciacarlos]

As a foreigner who lived through the entire duration of zero covid for the past 3 years in China, this is by far the most objective commentary I’ve seen on KZbin to date. Economists and business leaders are voicing concerns at the start of 2023 that the year could be a difficult one. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Jamie Dimon said Tuesday that the Federal Reserve may need to raise interest rates to 6% to fight inflation, higher than the peak level between 5% and 5.5% in 2023 that most Fed officials penciled in after their December meeting. Although I read an article of people that grossed profits up to $500k during this crash, what are the best stocks to buy now or put on a watchlist

[@stellaadams593]

Emotionally-charged decisions to sell off large quantities of stocks or other investments now lock in your losses, removing any chance for future growth.

[@brendazvandasara]

@@davidjackson4437 Very true, a huge part of my portfolio growth has come during this bear market. I've been able to scale from $180K to $672K in a short period of time. I basically was just following the steps and guideline from my financial advisor. as long as you've professional help, you're good to go...

[@gowonjake]

@@brendazvandasara Mind if I ask you to recommend this particular coach you using their service? Seems you've figured it all out.

[@brendazvandasara]

@@gowonjake Well i won't say i have........Her name is " JULIET EVE DOWNEY" can't divulge much. Most likely, the internet should have her basic info, you can research if you like..

[@edwardmeade]

The problem is that the average person doesn't listen in on corporate quarterly calls. While people were screaming about high gas prices and dreaming up all kinds of reasons, big oil was bragging about how much money they were making. It may but a small thing, but I drove less and slowed down to the speed limit when I did. I realize not everyone can control when and where they drive: they need to get to work. But, they CAN slow down and next time they buy a car buy one that meets their needs rather than their egos.

[@davidhunt3808]

Big oil ,big business , the banks even super market chains all bragging about profit !! Along with the aftermath of covid , companies are trying to claw back lost profit then there is the war in Ukraine that is not helping . All these factors are adding to inflation but everyone points the bone at the government . Somethings are out of the government's control !! It a vicious cycle which leads to pressure on wages as people try to keep up in order to pay their bills and stay afloat .

[@marywallace4086]

Blaming Biden was the GOP answer to inflation.

[@MichaelGunner123]

GAS/PETRO in MISSISSIPPI has DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY.....I PAID $2.46/GAL last week in Jackson.

[@erickborling1302]

Great response.

[@johnassal5838]

A worse factor is that the books are shall we say "creatively" rigged. Years ago Nike moved production from the US to Brazil, with massive reductions in cost of labor and materials. Still charged just as much at the store though. Now the Nike store could open their books and conclusively show that their profit margin was only 4% or so _they_ couldn't pay a living wage to their retail workers. EVEN when the same company (or holding company) owns the factory and the retail outlet they also own the company the factory sells the product to, at a modest markup, then ship it via another company they also own, also "only" at a modest profit, on its way to a supplier they also own (also jacking up the price slightly) who uses a separate yet totally owned by the same company warehouse that, you guessed it, adds yet another few percent profit. Meanwhile at every stage the managers can look sadly at you and say there's just no big margin in their operations to pay living wages but still those same hundred or hundreds of dollars shoes with all the expenses they always had now only really cost $50 or so to make, transport and stock... But the corporation is too poor raise any wages. Sniff, sniff. Just look at the odd company still doing niche products like hiking boots and somehow they can donate a pair for every one sold and not go out if business, even using domestic materials and manufacturing.... Obviously the real profit margin is more like 50% and up with the difference going straight to top executives and stock holders.

[@kcuzz4091]

I’d like to hear more mainstream media such as yourselves continue reporting on this issue.

[@lbjcb5]

Corporate media won't talk about it but other outlets will!

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

Many financial advisors, including myself, have warned and taught people to stop thinking politically about inflation and look to their own behavior. It is so encouraging to hear this public warning more often by creditable advisors.

[@steecie3045]

I have always been told that Wall Street does not represent Main Street. Do we feel a bit of pinch? Sure. Gas and food is much higher than it was pre-covid. But are we tipping toward destruction? No. We frequent Disney parks where that is 100% expendable income and the parks are full every single day. Airline flights are full. Hotels are full. It's just pure corporate greed from those that we the taxpayer continue to bail out time and time again while being told that things for us "little people" is entitlements.

[@jj8back]

Man thats a lot of lies in such a small paragraph, beginning with you being a financial advisor. Coupon clipping for lunch meat and bread to make sandwiches, does not make you a financial advisor.

[@michaelbowman4607]

Bravo..... !

[@kalijasin]

It’s impossible to have inflation this high when there are no supply chain shortages without corporations artificially causing it.

[@michaelbowman4607]

@@kalijasin The variable of outright "GREED" is RARELY mentioned.....

[@yumeriagirl1231]

Many corporations have come out and said that they will not push this higher pricing on to their customers! Example, Arizona Iced Tea! The owner of that corporation, stated that he has no problem eating the extra cost! And that under no circumstances will his Arizona Iced Teas be more than 99 cents, as they have been! And that is why that Corporation posts the price right on their cans, so that stores cannot jack up the price

[@jj8back]

Arizona did raise their prices to the stores they sell too, but kept the 99 cent price on it forcing the store owner to take the loss in revenue, that is why a lot of stores have quit selling it. Get it right

[@kalijasin]

It’s impossible to have inflation this high when there are no supply chain shortages without corporations artificially causing it.

[@carseye1219]

In the 1950s, corporations bragged about how, when the company did well, the work force was rewarded. Now, it's stock buybacks. Also, in the '50s, CEO compensation was at a 4:1 ration to the average worker. Now, it's close to 400:1. Conservatives like to point out how the 1950s were when America was greatest. But that is because it was the era of white male hegemony, when white men ruled everything. There was an 87% tax bracket, so they really wouldn't like it.

[@kalijasin]

People making inflation out to be something overly complex. Like quantum mechanics or calculus.

[@rabidgoon]

even more rarely discussed - wealth hoarding. money that's not in circulation must be replaced with new money to circulate and that drives inflation

[@muuuuuud]

Very true, its not spoken of often enough.

[@andrew_owens7680]

Now also hoarding real estate.

[@nozealotlikeaconvert]

YES! The value of an economy is based on the money that is in circulation. When rich people get ahold of that money, they take it out of circulation by parking it in the stock market or banks. When you give poor people money, not only does it stay in circulation, but it has a multiplier effect, because they start spending money they dont yet have. They take out loans and buy cars and houses, which makes more jobs for people, and then THEY put that new money into circulation.

[@jj8back]

Its only discussed by by ignorant people so I'm actually surprised its not discussed more by you people. Hoarding causes deflation not inflation. Thanks for the laugh boy I appreciate it.

[@jj8back]

@@andrew_owens7680 lmao

[@discreetanonymus2723]

How I shop: similar products: what is the price per unit ($/... gallon, pound, kg, liter). Companies can lower the amount they provide you without raising their price, but it increases their profits. Usually I buy the cheapest. Unless there is a real difference in my taste or quality of the product I experience. I always try to be willing to try new brands if they are cheaper. I also look at the bottom shelves; companies pay to be on the eye-level shelves which is calculated in their prices. Believe me: it saves me a lot of money without decrease of my living comfort. And last tip: if there is a real promotion, I buy a lot if possible for the shelf live. And use coupons!

[@TheDarkDresser]

Eggs were a little over $2 a dozen a couple weeks ago and now they are $6. I can do without eggs until the price goes down. Internet went up 1/3 the cost of what I was paying earlier this year. Many prices at Walmart are lower, but are still going up.

[@kalijasin]

@@TheDarkDresser The free range pasteurize ones are $6 at the walmart here

[@TheDarkDresser]

@@kalijasin I just checked the price on Walmart, and it's around $4, so maybe I was looking at the free range. Thank you!

[@marvinmartin4692]

Question our corporate masters?! Blasphemy!

[@psychfred]

I’m glad to see this video on NBC. TYT has been describing corporate profits driving this intense inflation all of us Americans are experiencing for months now. Hopefully NBC can catch up. Thank you so much great to see it!

[@TheYuhasz01]

Many corporate profit levels are way beyond legitimate inflation rates. Price gouging just because they can get away with it. Wage controls only acceptable if also price controls as well.

[@krimmer66]

It's the same story in Canada, corporate profits have skyrocketed and nothing is being talked about or done about it.. at least hearing Biden talking about windfall taxes is more than whats happening here.

[@fionaanderson5796]

Similar in Australia. And most of those corporations are US owned or controlled. Something that needs to happen is to rebuild local businesses supplying local markets. (And by local, that might be within 50km, or could mean state/province, or even country, depending on the product.) This problem was highlighted by the interruptions caused by the pandemic, but it has been building up for decades.

[@alexkilgour1328]

All the right wingers scream about Trudeau being a socialist, the reality is that he is a corporatist.

[@MyHalcyonDaysAreHere]

Those manufacturers of goods made a lot of money by panicking the populace like what happened. Now that the smoke has dissipated, Biden should initiate an investigation, to parse two years of financial indicators Inflation, jobs report, GDP, how that threat of runaway inflation came about. There were mistakes that exacerbated the problem of surging prices like the baby formula lack of supply which was critical for weeks. But we need to find out what really anyway

[@JusticeAlways]

@@fionaanderson5796 I believe the 2008 Great Financial Fiasco has a LOT to do with it. It's why the US housing situation is so phucked up. 🇺🇸👍

[@JusticeAlways]

@@MyHalcyonDaysAreHere The baby formula crisis should've raised red flags...the market is very tightly controlled by few companies.

[@tamaragerkin]

They are tripling their cost of product which equates to 30+% of inflation. It’s called corporate greed, hence the reason for corporate record profits and many historic profits.

[@ronkirk5099]

All the corporate mergers we have seen in recent decades has greatly reduced the number of producers in the market which makes it easier them to carve up the market and set prices based on nothing more than greed. The obscene CEO and management salaries are part of the problem too.

[@smileeysface]

I'm wondering how much the cost of beverages have to go up at restaurants before people decide it's too much. I rarely order anything but water but I'm in the minority. It's almost $4.00 now for a coke or tea in places around me. That's just ridiculous.

[@JusticeAlways]

I never buy/drink sugar water sodas etc. I quit buying any fastfood...it's crap. And...I feel much better/healthier now too.

[@kalijasin]

Soda is poison ☠️

[@Charon85Onozuka]

You still go to restaurants? Think I've only been to a restaurant once in the past two years.

[@debrasmith4675]

Hallelujah! About time!

[@stimpy1226]

Grocery bills are astronomical and there are a whole lot more than 8% annually. I've seen 50% increases and even higher on certain every day items like eggs.

[@scabcrawler632]

Biden's gift to hard working Americans!

[@b.t.2795]

@@scabcrawler632 Why are Canadians crossing the border buying American groceries and fuel grandma? You're an old foreigner, maybe you can tell us why old man. 🤔

[@johnlangevin708]

@@scabcrawler632 Is there anything you clowns don't blame Pres. Biden for ?? Thanks for the laugh though.

[@JusticeAlways]

@@scabcrawler632 Feel free to explain with your information on that.

[@JusticeAlways]

@Southern Unionist I have a vegetable garden. Looking to expand it next year.

[@doningraham916]

When you have a country who no longer looks at corporate monopolies with politicians who are bought and paid why would anybody believe that they would have to charge reasonable profits!!!

[@slconley]

Of course it’s because of corporate greed!

[@uriituw]

Not “corporate greed”! Anything but that!

[@MyHalcyonDaysAreHere]

I really think these manufactures of goods committed or transpired to commit an agregious act of prematurely increasing prices thereby raking in more than usual profits. When images of ships lining up were seen in October, realistically expect higher prices in Jan-Feb. Subsequently, Inflation would surge a month after. But because of the Global Supply Chain crisis as those ships represented manufacturers increased prices in a panic. The November Inflation rate surged ! These manufacturers owe us Americans three months increase rate from October to January and incremental increase in general cost of goods if applicable. Now, that is basically what we all lost during that unwarranted surge.

[@cherylbarrett3443]

There is another solution beyond buying less stuff--taxing profits at a higher rate.

[@uponcripplecreek1]

Exactly!

[@bobainsworth5057]

Check your prices. A 40% increase in costs is to gain extra profit and then they buy back stock making them richer. Then there is the monopoly problem who want to move corporate headquarters overseas to reduce their taxes even more.

[@Scarter63]

Are you kidding me? Bernie Sanders has been saying this for years!

[@frankpeter9145]

Bernie Sanders 2024

[@uponcripplecreek1]

Rarely discussed because corporate media doesn’t want to talk about corporate price gauging.

[@katekohl6059]

Exactly!!!! That is why was surprised by this story on MSNBC, but Velshi seems to get away with the more 'controversial' topics.

[@letsRegulateSociopaths]

according to legal filings, Proctor and Gammell said that of the 9 percent they raised prices, HALF was PURE ADDED PROFIT on top of normal profit margin... That is half of this inflation we are seeing...

[@hooplawithbilliesue8143]

8% increase in corporate profits, 8% inflation. You do the math.

[@timsin2978]

one tried and tested way to stop inflation is NOT TO SPEND MONEY YOU DO NOT HAVE

[@nicholasgallanis7539]

If everyone knew there would be a bigger push to raise corporate taxes &/or windfall taxes. Only independent media has mentioned this, so it leaves me thinking corporate media has been encouraged by big corporations to avoid the topic, even when Katie Porter had an excellent talk in Congress about this very thing months ago, nearly no one talked about.

[@kalijasin]

Republicans will never allow it.

[@dwaynehendricks7842]

What I say is, it is really up to us, consumers, to force these companies to lower gas prices. Only drive where you absolutely have to. Look how low gas prices went during the pandemic

[@Me97202]

Corporations have been reaping record profits while Americans have been paying record prices.

[@stormottr6059]

If Americans want to slow inflation ,they'll stop buying unnecessary items at inflated prices. 2022 holidays retail sales are setting records...

[@marywallace4086]

I have seen Walmart workers changing prices on items already in the shelves. When asked why, the answer was "The manager told me to."

[@kalijasin]

Wow! 😮

[@mtm00]

"People should stop buying so much stuff" is a lofty step, however, the media seems to not side with the consumer (and ends up protecting the corporations) when they don't come out and state clearly the NAMES of these companies.

[@kalijasin]

But congress can’t pass a law outlawing these practices so that’s literally the only way to get around them artificially inflating costs.

[@ilov3ohio2002]

Bernie has been saying this since Q1 2021

[@josephjones825]

BERNARD 🤡💩👹

[@davidgrochmal6023]

Corporate greed will be the down fall of America !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Swindog00]

Been saying this for years. You can tell where inflation lies by the amount of post tax profit corps make. Ie in NZ - the ANZ Bank made BILLIONS in record profit from the housing market although loan rates are massive. A building company who typically sees a loss sees a massive record profit whilst its more expensive to build than ever. Power companies (NZ is 82% renewable power generation) making record profits. Consumers getting ripped off.

[@JusticeAlways]

Control people's income levels and they remain in power. In this day and age the working class are pretty much phucked. This crap got on a big roll starting in 2008 - the Great Financial Fiasco. One of the WORST events ever. 🇺🇸

[@Swindog00]

@@JusticeAlways And its not just an American thing although most Americans will think it is...this is happening in most OECD countries if not all. Aus, Can, NZ, Eng, US, and most of Europe.

[@KarenParkerArtist]

Where is the suggestion that CEOs, (who used to make about 20x minimum wage, but who now make 350x minimum wage) take a effing pay cut?

[@MyHalcyonDaysAreHere]

Front page images of ships lining up to dock started appearing in October 2021, then prices started going up at a faster rate. Prices of goods were steadily going up ever since mid-pandemic but these were basic commodities that were being reported in the news. Prices increased at a fast pace after images of those ships lining up supposedly worldwide. The prevailing issue in the news was the Global Supply Chain crisis. By November the Inflation rate surged. That was actually suspicious in and by itself, it was pretty obvious the only fundamentals to talk about were those ships lining up all over the world. Usually seeing those ships line up in October add 3 months for those raw materials to be processed into whatever goods, this would be the time to compute all costs and expenses then selling price. For those shipments coming in October price should hit the market by January. Expect prices to increase by January. But no, Inflation surged in November. Premature so to speak. Manufacturers made money, more money by increasing the prices 3 months early. Rate of profit could even be increase of price of raw materials, aside from increase in costs of logistics. Surely the GSC crisis was taken advantaged of as a reason to immediately increase price. There was panic and threat of runaway Inflation, clearly manufactures took advantaged of the situation. Now whether or not this was something planned to destabilize the Biden Admin which was at a low point at that time. The sudden price increase of manufactures, could be suspect, like they all agreed to increase price immediately. Because that's what we saw. Times were unprecedented then, still maybe they should restudy that period and wonder how most manufacturers increased prices substantially in sync like they agreed together to favor . . .? It needs parsing that timeline.

[@JusticeAlways]

Yes. I suspect there was a combined strategy by GOP andsuper wealthy to destabilize the Biden administration and Democrats using their control of our economy. It is not a very good looking scenario...I suspect the corporations/wealthy elites donated $$$ heavily to the GOP coffers in exchange for the huge trillion $$$ tax cuts done when you know who was president. Who's to say it didn't happen? 🇺🇸

[@thecommonsenseconservative5576]

That inflation reduction act isn't working so they are trying to deflect

[@andrewnichol5387]

Lunchmeat, $12-14# ham !? It can rot in the case. Why do they get away with this ? If workers or farmers shared in this maybe, but they don't and it's unacceptable.

[@mindyourself7063]

Very informative and authentic discussion.

[@malnorice]

you mean rarely discussed in the mainstream media. Pretty much every single person left of center has been saying this for 40 years or so 😅

[@scabcrawler632]

So the people that target children?

[@malnorice]

@@scabcrawler632 no, not christians. An understandable mistake to make since the teachings of jesus were unanimously left wing, but modern christians practice the exact opposite of everything jesus taught for some reason..

[@magaareinbredhillbillies]

@@scabcrawler632 target children like a good old kkk meeting with a cross burning?

[@Wicky173]

It's called "Price Gouging," They cover their expenses plus they round everything up. If you do this with each component that makes up an Item, it has an effect, where the parts become greater than the whole, This can be illustrated, at the end of the day, through the profits, especially if the times have been particularly hard, ( and efforts have been made to keep the profits down.) They stand out like "Dog's Balls." and should be levied with a severe profiteering tax.

[@kalijasin]

It’s impossible to have inflation this high when there are no supply chain shortages without corporations artificially causing it.

[@Nigelrathbone1]

CEOs never feel the pain the everyday consumer feels at the pump or cash register.

[@richardcampbell7255]

Obviously time for higher corporate taxes.

[@ggggloveking9419]

That'll fix it for sure 😂😂😂

[@Me97202]

This is why completely unregulated capitalism doesn’t work. It concentrates all the wealth at the top eventually.

[@kayezbiciak544]

It is about time this is covered. It deserves more! Corporations are obligated to their stock holders making a profit, plus their own greed. The percentage of profit increase compared to cost is out of proportion.

[@jnewcomb]

It's not just large corporations. We have a family run restaurant just a few blocks away from our house and we'd pick up take out from them all the time. In 2 years, they've increased the prices of some items up to 75%. Most have increased by almost 50%. I can't afford to eat there anymore so we found another place, further away but offering the same dishes at 2020 prices. Turns out their food is better too. Don't rob me blind if I can find better for cheaper.

[@kalijasin]

It’s impossible to have inflation this high when there are no supply chain shortages without corporations artificially causing it.

[@stimpy1226]

What goes up may not necessarily come down. Inflation proves that theory out every time.

[@huha47]

Unnecessary increases is an understatement! A financial report a couple months ago, showed corporations enjoying a 54.8% profitability for the same period a year ago, let alone a whopping 345% profit for Exxon, the other oil concerns reaping larg profits as well. Perhaps these oil companies should not only lower prices at the tank, but also repay all government subsidies which they rake in by the millions every hour. Inflation is driven by greed of the financial industry and corporations. Good to hear someone is addressing this issue. The Info is known, people need to inform themselves.

[@crazy9932]

This is why we need to end corporate entitlement programs

[@garryrife8421]

Finally, someone is discussing this driver in inflation. If the government raises the minimum wage, then companies will raise the price of goods and services to protect its profits. Not only do companies and the rich have to pay their fair share, but they also have to feel the financial pressure that low- and middle-class citizens feel.

[@dawnsmith9596]

Velshi, yes! What a great idea!!!!

[@newman4664]

Ultimately DC lobbyists hold the reigns, this is just coffee shop chatter - pointless.

[@harumih.3727]

I have been saying all they time and it say here again. inflation is severe, people were complaining that they can not buy enough. Yet, after hearing that many companies announced the huge increase of profits as they year is approaching the end, why can't you ask them how? The answer could be either that people have had enough money to buy highly priced goods, so their complaints are false?, OR that the corporations intentionally raised prices more than the costs rationalize the markup. Rich people are much richer now. How isn't it intentional?

[@muuuuuud]

Corporate greed*

[@tjroberts4668]

Price gauging should be investigated, and punished.

[@Shari466]

I've been trying to make sense of the price on a dozen eggs, 6.59 yesterday. Google says it's bird flu causing an egg shortage. Ok, so wouldn't that also cause a shortage of chicken?? There's plenty of chicken and yesterday, at the same large chain grocery store, we paid 1.99 for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I don't get it???? You can buy a whole chicken for less than a dozen eggs, while one chicken lays dozens and dozens of eggs. WTH??

[@nathanbrady8529]

Here's a contributing factor: the past 10-20 years, Americans have changed HOW we pay for things. When even small businesses are shelling out tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars in card fees to collect payments, prices are going to have to reflect that.

[@sharontabor7718]

I've seen saying this for months. Why does the media not put more emphasis on this issue that will embarrass corporations to take corrective action?

[@yumeriagirl1231]

"Rarely discussed" ?? Seriously? We Leftists & on a plethora of Leftist Channels, platforms & heck, many just honest, unbought, outlets have been discussing this EXACT reason for inflation. Honest economists, such as Professor Richard Wolff, has been screaming this from the hilltop, for too many months, now. Being beholden to your corporate overlords, does put a damper on, you guys, discussing these honest reasons Just saying

[@outlaw-of-torn3548]

Cyber-feudalism requires that you shut up and hit "complete purchase"

[@t.r.campbell6585]

If we are going to discuss corporate profits we have to discuss corporate taxes. We look at corporate profits before taxes which are extraordinary. We also have to remember that during the 40 years that we were in charge we wrote tax law. We gave corporations huge tax breaks and in return they gave us huge political donations or persons seeking Democrat party state and national office. We must have these corporate donations in order to maintain our leverage upon the body politics. We must begin to realize that some of the richest people in America are progressive Democrats. Some of the richest corporations in America make campaign donations for progressive Democrat causes. We are the party of the rich in the elite and we need their donations to maintain our political advantage.

[@yetanotherjohn]

Are you saying that voting Republican is the answer? How about just making bribery illegal again?

[@a100independent6]

Overturn citizen United

[@t.r.campbell6585]

@@yetanotherjohn I am not saying anything of the kind and I have no idea how you got that idea?

[@t.r.campbell6585]

@@a100independent6 You must be wanting to support the corrupt and entrenched political class. We have to ask ourselves, why is the political players so opposed to, Citizens United? The answer to that question is that citizens United takes power away from the political class and gives the private citizen like you and me a louder voice. Citizens United gives the average person the opportunity to have a loud political voice in challenge the incumbent. If you were content with the corrupt and entrenched political class, then of course you would oppose private citizens having a louder voice and you would be against Citizens United. This is why the entrenched political class so opposes citizens united legislation.

[@a100independent6]

@@t.r.campbell6585 aren't you in support of overturning citizen United Take away the corporate contributions to political decision s

[@richardfallenracejones]

This has openly been discussed for decades. We have been told for decades that if wages went up we'd have to pay $50 for a happy meal, that was the warning to us to not demand higher wages. It was a lie, but it was also a signal to us to consume less.

[@slick1377]

profit and power and control

[@KennethJLave]

Woah, I can't believe a corporate media conglomerate is talking about this! ..THE reason we're experiencing an inflation crisis right now is due to corporate greed being allowed to occur after Trump's tax cuts! Thanks Ali Velshi.

[@jimloth6091]

Anyone who puts gas in their car has known this for years...

[@mytwocents848]

It seems the richer people get, I mean the mega rich, the more they lose their humanity.

[@kalijasin]

if everyone who is poor (below poverty line, lower middle class, etc.) got out of poverty by becoming rich the country would collapse. There would be no one left to do any of plumbing, deliveries, construction, farming, vehicle maintenance, linemen work, etc.. the stuff that actually keeps this country going.

[@charleslewis9871]

Its called a market economy.

[@nozealotlikeaconvert]

Ali is the only one that brings the truth. So tired of corporate media both-sidesing every issue, and covering for the rich and powerful bending us all over, everyday.

[@SuburbanSavage]

For the past 6 years, my husband and I take turns on who gets to eat that day, so our son gets 3 meals a day. I pay for things in pennies, I plan out any driving to conserve gasoline, and I try to mend clothing as much as possible. We recently had our SSI cut by 75% because we are too poor and our income level doesn't chart. My husband is a government employee and we are literally starving.

[@jimjett9996]

They have went to far with there price increases, if people would stand against them they will go down !

[@andrew_owens7680]

Let's discuss the inflationary effect of cryptocurrencies and speculation on currencies.

[@bh2020_]

*What can be done to realistically help reduce inflation?* Rather than to rely solely on the Fed to raise interest rates and cool the economy, and hurt a lot of people along the way, we also ought to be considering other measures such as: 1.) Windfall profits tax 2.) Much more antitrust enforcement. One of the reasons these corporations can raise their prices is because they have so much monopoly power. 3.) A progressive consumption tax so we go after the wealthiest members of our society in terms of how much they spend. This would also be helpful in terms of taming inflation without hurting the middle class and the poor.

[@along9971]

This is not rarely discussed, theyre talking about Windfall taxe, but it needs to be front page

[@SANDYMILLER23]

How much money can people make? You can't take it with you when you die. Your health is more important than money.

[@letsRegulateSociopaths]

that is the best argument for a 100 percent death tax. Then you really can't take it with you, and neither can your kids...

[@Alex-qh5wn]

4:03 what about when we don't have other options? And supplies are always going to cost us more even though they don't need to....like our entire medical market.

[@michaelbindner9883]

The reality of corporate economy is that shareholders receive "normal profits," that is, enough to match other similar investments. These profits need to go up because they are competing with higher returns from interest rate increases. It is the CEO class who makes a killing on prices going up due to monopolistic power. There is only one way to reduce their incentives to hoard money - raise their tax rates (wage, dividend, gains). The more the government takes, the less incentive they have to gouge. This is why CEOs got richer and wages stayed flat after the Trump-Ryan tax cuts.

[@meshedgears2794]

Well at least she touched on it, monopolistic markets allow a capitalist environments to raise prices at will monopolies are supposed to be illegal in the US. The US government should not tax windfall profits they should use high jumps in profit to focus the microscope on the market as a whole. If a company has monopolized a market then either break them up or hit them with a monopoly tax that eats the windfall. It's not unheard of that a new gizmo done extremely well can generate a windfall profit, but if the market has competitors and you hit the new product with an undeserved tax it dampens the drive to innovate. Competition is what keeps the prices reasonable, and a watchful eye (FBI,SEC) on the CEOs who collude to raise prices together is also needed. -MG

[@letsRegulateSociopaths]

now that is what I am talking about...!

[@chrismuir8403]

One company, Arizona Tea, refused to raise prices, and used that as a promotion. They've increased their market share. It is unclear how long they will be able to hold that price, though.

[@auntcynauntcyn8392]

It’s also shrinkflation. Every grocery product has gone up and diminish the size and content. Corporate greed is crazy. How many billions do they need?

[@8088I]

Corporations made a record high profit of $2.1 Trillion in the last Quarter (3Q22), aand the 'Biggliest' MtoBillionaires have been on a 30%+ Wealth Gain p.a. run rate for way more than a decade -until this year. Yet, Nobody has called that inflation, nor even bad inflation, as they do when it appears the servile class 'could' eke out 5%+ for the year - Finally, after '50 years.'

[@8088I]

The Working Poor pay the highest tax in Society!! it's called Exploitation Tax - it's a negative tax taken out "before wages. .. Exploitation Tax = Living Wage - Slave Wage = Societally Sanctioned Wealth Transfer from the Very Poor to the currently Concentrated Capital Holders (e.g not so different than maintaining a Plantation Type ⚡🤕🤜 😢 Ownership Society)

[@8088I]

🤫"Truth" be told:😉 ----------------------- The Gov Student Debt is paid for by the non-performing Loans funded by T-Bills held by the Federal Reserve). Furthermore, because of the nature of this Loan:Writing off this Debt removes the Burden of carrying the"Non-performing" Loan by the Gov and of People locked out and unable to move on with their life to.productively contribute to the Economy - at large. It would Deflate the Money Supply by an equal amount, thus placing a Deflationary impact on Prices, Reduce the Federal Reserve Balance Sheet and Reduce the "Size" of Gov by an equal amount. Writing off non-performing Loans is something routinely done for Corporations and Businesses to remove the non-performing burden on the Corporations and Businesses to allow them to move on to be able to productively contribute to the Economy - at large. Some notable Examples are For: Banks and Auto Corporations, en mass, after the 2008 Great Recession, and, routinely, 6 times by Trump for "over" $2 Billion of personal Debt written off - to Date, aand, again, on the verge for, ironically, "Truth Social." . . . Sadly, "Indentured Servitude" is as "Originalist" as MAGA is " Republican in Name Only. " Feel free to share . . .

[@sharonmassey2923]

2:45 I'd say the answer to the question is if a company is making billions of dollars in profit, it's not inflation, it's that you've been gouged. Inflation, to me, is pretty much a euphemism for price-gouging. And all the problems mentioned were created by these people, and yet it's the people with no decision-making power who are forced to pay for it. Which ideology does this fall under?

[@katekohl6059]

Sometimes we're forced, like when having to buy necessities, but I think when you look at discretionary spending in our budgets, we could cut out a lot of expenses and regain some control. I mean us, the public. Start getting a bit belligerent, as Velshi alludes to. Tell some of these corporations to f-off, we don't need you. Just some thoughts...

[@sharonmassey2923]

@@katekohl6059 I thought this clip was way too soft, actually. The other way they gouge is by widespread worker exploitation, fighting unions with everything they've got. On top of that, these corporations pay no tax, and no mention of that either. Not what I'd expect from Ali, but what I would expect from MSNBC, just another corporation.

[@katekohl6059]

@@sharonmassey2923 All true. I focus on indie media here on YT to tell truth to power. Meidas Touch, BTC, Roland S. Martin, Ring of Fire, Majority Report, Humanist Report, Rational National, TYT, Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey.

[@sharonmassey2923]

@@katekohl6059 A few to add to your list - Beau of the 5th Column, Russell Brand, economist Richard Wolff. Really quite a lot of alternative voices these days. It's hard to imagine now only getting info and interpretations from the big networks They don't even cover the many union sabotage attempts, and the railway chapter was heavily leaning in favor of the corporations, with a little pushback here and there from individual newspeople. But I also sense that their days are numbered getting away with their corporate bias, very much in the neighborhood of conflict of interest.

[@katekohl6059]

@@sharonmassey2923 Thank you, Sharon. I knew about Beau - I thought I forgot one LOL. The rest I didn't know and will check out when I have time. Nice to discuss the topic at hand civilly, learning new information from other concerned folks (i.e. non-MAGA). Thnx again. Cheers 😊✌

[@suomynona4607]

Top 10 oil companies reported record Q1'22 profits of $93B, compared to $3B in Q1'20. Their costs didn't go up 31 times, but their greed did.

[@patricklegault691]

Thank you Ali

[@jimrichards9103]

I'm surprised that it has taken the media all this time to discover exactly what happened during Carter's administration. It was easy to raise prices because that is all everyone talked about. Even little companies to do this. No one noticed. The media went on and on about US debt and a dozen other things but missed the boat on a major issue. Being a small business owner we all did this then and now.

[@emiliachidester3250]

LETS CALL IT FOR IT'S REAL NAME "CORPORATE GREED" "CORPORATE GAUGING" THEY ARE OVER CHARGING AND WE ARE LETTING THEM.

[@jimmason8502]

And all this corporate greed leading to high inflation is not something that Fed rate hikes can fix, the consumer will have to fix it but just boycotting those firms that are gouging. In Canada the price of a loaf of Dempster's bread hit $4.99 recently, up about 50% in the past 18months. No way Dempster's can justify that on the increased cost of wheat or fuel.

[@E_LithaBeth]

A few years ago Grab Your Wallet started publishing names of companies that supported trump so that people could tell which ones to not do business with where possible. I wonder if the same thing could be done with companies showing excessive profits. It seems businesses aren't ever happy if they do as well as the last period of time. It always has to surpass those achievements. I get the feeling that if they were made to pay fair taxes they would simply pass that onto consumers so it's a never-ending circle.

[@nozealotlikeaconvert]

They could try to pass it on to consumers, but you cant ignore the very foundation of capitalism, which is supply and demand. They CANNOT set prices higher than the market will bear, because they will sell less product and end up decreasing their profits.

[@privatename3621]

Yes, a terrible cycle. Worse, as these companies increase prices under the media's cover of telling American's about systemic inflation (pure greed and profit taking), and then when they feel the backlash by fed up consumers starting to not buy as many of their products, then their profits will fall quarter over quarter. In their panic to appease shareholders, what do they do? Yup. Raise prices even further on those that are still willing to buy to try to make up for the difference in obscene profits they were getting after raising prices when they really didn't need to (and really shouldn't have). This is the beginning of companies spiraling out of control and eventually filing for bankruptcy because consumers just find other ways to fill their needs (or skip them altogether) and leave these greedy profiteering monopolistic and inflation-racketeering companies behind.

[@patricki7422]

Duh! The two drivers of inflation are buyers and sellers. Buyers who pay insane prices for products beyond their actual value (cars and houses) and Sellers who see people are in an insanely stupid buying mode and will pay anything for everything (food, clothing, shelter, gas) and see an opportunity to charge more because the market will "bear" it. It's so simple. Just stop buying things at crazy price, but noooo YOLO right? We deserve whatever we're paying because so many people so willing to bend over.

[@alexkilgour1328]

Do you find it optional to buy food?

[@JusticeAlways]

In ideal economy that would work. We are not in a normal economy. It is much less competitive...the limited number of baby formula manufacturers being one, well known example. Building materials - OSB 4 x 8 sheets a big example - prices shot up from $7.50 to nearly $50 starting in 2019...and stayed up until just recently. No competition to reduce pricing.

[@patricki7422]

@@alexkilgour1328 No of course not. But businesses realize people are willing to pay substantially more for almost anything as evidenced by the huge “market adjustments” people are willing to pay for vehicles they don’t really need, like a $70,000 Jeep that will never see the dirty side of a parking lot.

[@patricki7422]

@@JusticeAlways I think you just made my point. There is no real need for competition. People are willing to pay whatever for whatever, at least here in the US and businesses realize that so they will charge as much as people are willing to bear paying. And that’s unfortunate. I find it ridiculous people paying tens of thousand of dollars additional markup over MSRP for a car then later complaining about inflation.

[@alexkilgour1328]

@@patricki7422 the increasing price of cars is not the main issue of inflation, today. It is the rapidly increasing price of groceries. The issue is that due to a failure to govern the marketplace, mergers have created a small amount of competition. These large organizations have successfully driven small companies out of business, and then have created mega corporations through mergers. They now control the pricing as an informal cartel. You want a loaf of bread? Then you pay what we tell you it will cost.

[@jacobforrester9827]

Not talked about on mainstream media, but those of us that watch independent Left press have known this for well over a year.

[@finaldrive6224]

Increasing wages results in increased expenses-an illusion of change. Carsharing, cohousing and coparenting are ways people can cut expenses, allowing American labor to be more competitive on the global market without sacrificing quality of life.

[@smileeysface]

Food product sizes are decreasing and either staying same price or increasing.

[@marvinmartin4692]

Our corporate media will never question the corporate greed!

[@JusticeAlways]

Because the wealthy elites OWN them. Case in point...Rupert Murdock. And Bezos owns lots of media companies (research it!)....and now Elon Musk wants to do same. Red flags my friends! 🇺🇸

[@koblongata]

And they raised salaries to help their workers to cope with inflation too... I now think it was pretty irresponsible because there is no way the salary can go back down and it adds to the cost as well. The help should have come in form of subsidies.

[@suehowie152]

Katie Porter talked about it.. 54 percent!