Cities After… The Threat of Mega-Landlords

[@theageofgoddess]

This is absolutely criminal and an injustice on the majority of people. They need to be stopped, we do outnumber them.

[@yorsan2240]

But we aren't united against this

[@mezzuna]

​@@yorsan2240 do you ever think that all this gender and identity ideology was designed to fragment and atomise society so that we cannot make a cohesive force to stop this kind of thing?

[@lilithlives]

WHEN are The People going to take to the streets, en masse, and protest the heisting of the American People? WHEN?

[@yorsan2240]

@mezzuna just like right vs left, is all to divide

[@mezzuna]

@@yorsan2240 exactly!

[@dmike3507]

Housing needs to be made a human right. Basic needs should not be bought and sold as commodities on a market. I really hope society wakes up to this reality sooner rather than later, this is truly a frightening situation we're in right now.

[@stvm]

NATIONALIZE INELASTIC MARKETS

[@betsycunningham]

It is a human right. We just need to act like it is.

[@haydifafi4887]

This is beyond criminal we need revolution to stop this catastrophe

[@hadaku]

I am so glad to find someone speaking on this critical subject. Thank you. I have been living in my (rented) home for more than 15 years when an investor came through buying up all the homes on the block and raising the rents so high none of us could afford them and I was given 30 days to vacate at a time when housing was and is scarce. I ended up having to leave most of my belongings behind and move into a homeless shelter. I am a senior citizen and handicapped but that didn't matter, only the immense greed of these mega landlords. Again, thank you for addressing this crisis even though my single family home was a rental.

[@hadaku]

Is this a part of the WEF (world economic forum)'s prophecy that we will own nothing and be happy? I wanted to rent-to-own since I'd been in that home over 15 years but was denied.

[@LauraVee63]

Born and raised in Southern California, I was forced to move out of state after my divorce because I could not afford a rental. Moved to Nevada, where the trend has spread and can barely afford a roof over my head as a single woman living alone, working 40 hours a week. A state should protect a native born citizen and not allow this crap to happen. I just want to go back home to Los Angeles, afford rent and find a job that will support the roof over my head. Thank you for your video.....I've known about these predators for months. It's no surprise politicians are in bed with these lobbyists, while these same politicians lie to their constituents' faces over and over again. There's more of us than them, however, I'm afraid we don't have the money to fight off this evil.

[@thomas45081]

Sad experience, and all you want is just the necessities in life, but this is the reality of the times. I frankly think we are going backwards to the like of the old gilded age period, looking at history. But yes, you're right, as far as having the money to fight this off ... these same entities have extracted and gained control over all our wealth, tax revenues, as well as mortgages and retirement accounts, and use them as leverage and collateral for investing, and now have control over our Congress, including our choices in elections, and all backed through tax incentives and write-offs that they were able to legislate through their lawyers/lobbyists, over the last few decades incrementally. However, there is still the option of fighting back by rejecting much, boycotts, strikes, civil disobedience, and basically anything that disrupts and hurts them in the only place it counts 💲💲... and that's their investments and profits 💵. Remember, these predators, cheats, and thieves do nothing for society, in fact, it's the majority of people 99%, that generates all profits, innovation, service, etc, that make those wealthy, and as well as them extracting our tax revenues. Wishing you the best of luck though, hang in there 🟪

[@Nuttymike]

@@thomas45081 I really don't see how anything changes. The people at the bottom are so atomized from one another. Even this platform itself I feel atomizes us. We are free to express our problems and rage here, but it changes nothing and doesn't threaten power. Labor history in this country was bloody and violent before the powers that be relented and gave common people some semblance of rights, security and prosperity. All that work and fighting has been eroded over the decades and I don't see a way out unless there is a massive pushback and I don't know if that's even possible in this age of technology, controlled of course from the top, that does such a good job of both surveilling and effectively pacifying the population.

[@zofiajaneczek184]

No better in GA either. Unless you have a very decent paying job, you'll need to do about 80-100 hours a week to afford ALL necessities and to perhaps have some savings left over. If you're willing to live in a crime ridden, obscure area, next to no jobs, you may find something more affordable but not by much. I know people right now that can't afford a house in ATL but are able to split payments 4 ways with other roommates and family members. The rich have bought entire neighborhoods in the city and have upgraded, renovated the area to specifically target and price out any lower income people. Many affordable housing developments were torn down by the city years ago. Crime is on the rise in affluent areas of the city, more homelessness compared to years ago, to the point where your car will be approached in certain areas of the city. I doubt that there is any place in the USA anymore that actually has affordable rents in comparison to inflation costs and the actual devalued wages being given out by jobs. It may still be a workers economy with increased hiring however, it sure feels like an uphill battle and a deal that was made with the devil decades ago.

[@bryanjensen355]

Great to hear Prof Robles-Durán in D@W's productions and particularly excellent delivery and perspective. My friends in Madrid, our home away from home, faced these Blackstone locusts during the pandemic, as well we saw it in Utah when we sold our mother's home after her death to Covid. So it's a particularly acute topic to hear what these cancerous capital vermin are doing elsewhere.

[@thomas45081]

Cancerous Capital Vermin ... that hits the nail on the head! 💯🟪

[@tenantsrevolt]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for this. We have shared this with hundreds of Revolting tenants, lawmakers, and community members. We love your podcast and always look forward to your message.

[@hankreardon2764]

Thank you for covering this terrifying trend. People need to know the full extent of how capitalism is leading us to our collective doom.

[@LauraVee63]

I never thought I'd see this kind of evil in my lifetime. What can we the people do?

[@helengarrett6378]

Organize! Join a housing rights group. Organize a tenant's union. Fight like hell!

[@Marxist2]

This happened in Chicago as well, where rents are very high, especially in certain neighborhoods l. We call it gentrification. I was part of a group of people who took the City of Chicago to court. We might' have decreased the impact, but in the end could not stop it. Thank you for discussing this subject that in reality impacts all of us.

[@felicetanka]

What do we expect with business govt.

[@wallaceshannonhouse2500]

The most excellent report I have ever heard.... Thank you for opening my my mind eyes....

[@dmike3507]

Landlords are parasites. Amen brother!!!!!

[@yorsan2240]

You're about to love your existing landlord ,watch the megalandlords triple your rent and refuse to rent you another home if you miss a payment

[@sammyc7565]

They need to outlaw these purchases of individual family homes.

[@Ace1000ks]

Municipalities can make laws to reverse this. If a individual or a corporation owns more than 2 homes in a locality then they can be charged a 30% property tax per year. This would force these greedy people to sell their assets, or they can pay 30% property tax per year.

[@scowlistic]

or more. 💸💸💸💸💸

[@stankrajewski8255]

In the USA our politicians used to understand the stability that home ownership provided for the stability of our society. In quid pro quo governance, they shift the focus to "housing"--which just means a rental. The landed gentry see an inflation of value in their holdings, as the vagrant tenants accumulate no assets. Democracy must prevail over the oligarchs and corporate aristocracy.

[@loiswilcken1758]

Addressing the closing question, it's absolutely immoral, but is it really criminal, as it should be? We need a right to food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and education law, but it will be an uphill battle at this time. If such legislation were in place, we might have some hope in court challenges. Finally, corporations MUST be stripped of personhood.

[@rare_goth_metal_and_shoegaze]

Just want to thank D@W for giving Prof. Robles-Durán a platform. Been a frequent viewer of their content but only just now discovered his show. He clearly knows his stuff and communicates well. It was astonishing to hear that Blackstone has so much money compared to many major countries! Why capitalists are okay with a system that allows this kind of ownership is absurd.

[@foxnewssuxs]

How private equity firms took advantage of the housing crisis of 2008 is a great example of the Shock Doctrine.

[@Athanael777]

Excellent analysis.

[@iart2838]

They do what they are legally allowed. It's the role of governments to regulate criminals like that.

[@Empireofdeath]

Amazing and well informed!

[@amyjones2490]

They may implode on their own. I was reading this weekend that some of these mega landlords are declaring bankruptcy.

[@yorsan2240]

Bankruptcy is a scam, only affects individuals, corporations use it not to pay their debts

[@lukeolson5177]

I agree that this is some criminal behavior that harms way more people than most the crimes that people actually get locked up for.

[@helengarrett6378]

Your analysis is spot on! For those of us who never have and never will own our own shelter (unless it is a tent under a freeway bridge) any landlord is a mega landlord exploiting every tenant whith whom they ever have or will come into contact. Renting out shelter is a mistake. Shelter should be free to everyone as a right, just as health care and education should be free as a human right and a social good. I believe that the basic necessities of life should not be profit making enterprises, including adequate nutrition and child care. You can sell luxuries and gee-gaws and at a profit. You can sell electronic gadgets at a profit. But nobody should sell the necessities of life at a profit. That's immoral! We can make profit from other things but the enterprises involved should be communally owned and run by the people who actually do the work. It's in everyone's interest to have a healthy and capable work force and to care for those who are not healthy or completely capable. That's called justice. Communal ownership of businesses is not radical. It's already been tried many places. It works. It's sensible to change the whole system. It's broken. A new system can be ours. We shouldn't settle just for controlling the worst landlord on earth, Blackstone. We should fix the system economics that are not working for US. But if you renters won't work for a better system, at least work on controlling corporate landlords as explained in this video. It's the absolute least you can do to make your own life better. Get off the sofa!

[@knight3672]

I'm really enjoying your insight and report, don't have much to add. Within my circles the reactions to the events range from "we know" to "I'm good", apart from inheritance I don't think I know anyone that had low-middle income and could afford a house. It does boggle my mind that most anticipate that these situations will sort itself out, without direct action on our side, I fail how we're going to stop this snake of capitalism.

[@barbaraschob4660]

This is happening in new zealand too. Shamefully high rent with no control

[@cliffordcullen1687]

You hit the nail on the head my friend. This is absolutely appalling and needs to be stopped. Greed Greed Greed.

[@bennybaker4926]

This is an eye opening video for sure. It is worse than I thought it was.

[@pollypoupore9060]

This is terrifying. I appreciate the explanation and now, what is to be done? Other than struggling for socialism, is there anything we can do?

[@RoughGalaxyYT]

Shelter can't be both a human right AND a commodity. Those are directly conflicting ideas.

[@indricotherium4802]

Dunno. If you didn't used to kiss the head caveman's ass the right way you'd soon be out on yours.

[@shamus2198]

Excellent. Spot on.

[@KimSooAcu]

I loved this episode, I liked, I shared with two people, I will repost a portion on my IG

[@haydifafi4887]

This has to end the problem in this country they make this kind of corruption legal this need revolution

[@dragonwright8913]

Viva la revolution! Workers strike back!

[@larryyank3566]

Very Happy to see DAW Growing, Innovating and Driving a democratic effort to transform a HSS evolutionary dead end. 👍👍 One of the best contemporary forces going. If Only Mandragon could only go viral !!! Regards & in Solidarity, Viet vet VFP Brilliant presentation/recognition. Rock On !!!👍

[@jamesberry7150]

Yup all that money created out of nothing wants to be real that's a Big part of most inflation. Many years ago when the space program was dropped the first time . All the builders went down houses already bought we sold and the area was largely owned by corporate owners. Starting 30 years ago.

[@annemarietobias]

So let's be perfectly clear. What is now happening is the consolidation of all services and essential social structures into wholly owned commodities of Banks and Corporate Equity Investors to corner markets in live essentials from food, to medicine, to housing, to potable water, and every other substance required to survive. By cornering these commodities, they can hold both the producers and the consumers hostage, bleeding society dry at both ends. Look at meat production. Farmers across the board are being forced out of businesses generations old because the producer aren't willing to pay them even enough to cover the cost of operating their businesses (God forbid a bad herding season.) On the flip side, meat now costs have exploded to mind numbing heights, while the meat producers bank obscene never before seen profits. Gouging much? And this practice is happening across the entire economy from top to bottom. Rental Property is just one more example of the economic rape being perpetrated on the people's of this world.

[@patrickmccormack4318]

AGREED.

[@tracyday6710]

hard to see a future that isnt dystopian nightmares...

[@LauraVee63]

How do we eradicate this when every politician is being paid by lobbyists?

[@helengarrett6378]

People asked similar questions about the Viet Nam War and Civil Rights. People, who get together to fight injustice win if they get serious and ORGANIZE! There is power in the people together. It's hard but not impossible.

[@yorsan2240]

​@helengarrett6378 a divided right vs left country don't know how to get together, they fight each other

[@marcjohnson7515]

Wow! 👍👍

[@Ace1000ks]

This is what they mean by " You will own nothing and be happy ". You hear this on the mainstream media all the time, it is much better to rent a home than to buy a home.

[@indricotherium4802]

There is nothing wrong with renting in principle, it is the operation and control of rentals one must worry about. Mega-landlords use tech such that you are one of thousands of IDs that tick the right boxes on-line who will rent without ever seeing or speaking to another human. And if you get on the wrong side of the system for whatever little reason you are basically powerless. (oh! you'll get an on-line chat with a bot of course, lol).

[@Ace1000ks]

@@indricotherium4802 I don't know how old you are, but this idea of renting everything and not being able to own it kind of sucks. It seems like everything is become a subscription service. Back in the 1980s, 1990s, and the early 2000s, you were able to own the software you bought. This software came in a box, had a manual, and you could install it on your computer and use it. If you want to buy a game now, there is no box, there is no paper, there is no poster, and there is no physical media. You buy it online, download it, and you use it on a platform owned by Steam, UBISoft, etc. Some of the older games don't work anymore, because Microsoft Live isn't supported anymore, etc. This rideshare stuff was good in the beginning when rates were low, but look at how expensive it is now? These rideshare companies are gouging people and ripping people off. A lot of people I knew said, you don't need your car. You can just take Uber or Lyft. This idea of you will own nothing and be happy is becoming a reality now.

[@indricotherium4802]

@@Ace1000ks : yes I'm actually quite surprised the global bankers for the super rich haven't come up with a scheme yet for buying up and operating public roads. When they do, I'm sure the political class will find a way of acquiescing too.

[@Ace1000ks]

@@indricotherium4802 In some states, public roads and bridges are privatized, and they have toll roads.

[@Ace1000ks]

@@indricotherium4802 It is all leading to monopolization. Back in the 1980s, they got most people in corporate America to put their money into mutual funds, 401ks, etc. Big Wall Street institutions used that money to make create mega corporations, like the Walmarts, and other chain stores. These entities, destroyed small and medium sized businesses. The people that got displaced are working for these corporate chain stores making low wages. Now, they have a monopoly. They did to the taxi industry with rideshare corporations, like Uber and Lyft. Now, these rideshare companies pay their contractors poorly, and they charge high fees to their customers. Karl Marx did say capitalism will lead to the creation of monopolies. "Marx predicted that as capitalism developed, a small number of powerful monopolies would drive many enterprises out of business."

[@jer1776]

Im an American, born and raised a Republican and almost 30. Trying to move out and buy my first home was the most demoralizing, soul crushing thing I could imagine. Housing is a human right, not a privilege.

[@ImaniNile]

Another example of the destructive force of capitalism.

[@thomasrogers9146]

I just started a modular construction company to build affordable housing in Colorado. we the people should band togethet to solve our problems. This is not capitalism but sadism and pure evil. psychopathic

[@brucehare1548]

It's feudalism erroneously called capitalism

[@regalmedia9487]

a video so important for our survival has 6643 views. a video of stupid girl dancing naked -1 million views with 50k comments. this is the reason we are slaves.

[@Lorenzo-ew6so]

Let me put it another way if you profit on people without hurting and ruining their lives that's legal, BUT if you profit and you know it will destroy the person, then that's called in-direct murder, totally illegal.

[@jamesberry7150]

As long as they can trade electronic numbers back and forth there is no hope.

[@juliahenriques210]

The rent is too damn high, said the Karate Expert. Nobody listened. Now look where we are.

[@joshuagharis9017]

Why i am bidding over 40k above asking and still not getting the bid, fha btw, which is supposed to help folks get homes, but has so many requirements that it in fact, makes it harder

[@shreddez]

Where did you get those glasses?

[@felicetanka]

Legal injustice.

[@TheZombieButler]

How much more blood do they expect to get? Good gods. Just as an aside lots of the homeless in California are folks who lost homes in the area but can't leave their friends and family.

[@michaelcscott1985]

Fantastic work. Eat landlords.

[@billappledorf]

Drop the flickering light in the left background. It distracts from an illuminative presentation.

[@indricotherium4802]

The global super rich will watch this video, scratch their heads and say "Jeeze, this guy must think people gonna get their pod in the matrix rent-free."

[@randy2819]

in Real Life Monopoly , we all get to be the will-borrow... F it sounds funny in my head.

[@thomas45081]

Great points here! 💯Right now, and LET'S BE HONEST ... and NOT calling decency, fairness, accountability, and good business ethics, some socialism/communism rhetoric, and lets talk common sense ... even the monopolization in this country, is very anti-business, to small and medium size companies. Texas(my state), as well as much of the U.S. is under the dictatorship of a style of corporate communism, all implemented by banks, corporations, and private equities. The rent, and lack of any reasonable regulations in Texas, is just insanely borderline criminal. And it's not just rents, everything is artificially overinflated in the U.S. by these entities, and all common sense, and even regard for consumers is out the door. Ever since this new 21st century neoliberal economics, everything in this country has went backwards, and favours only the uber-wealthy, they even bought our Congress, write all the legislation with their lobbyists, and they take much of our taxes, even (in the form of corporate welfare/socialism) ... even our infrastructure coast to coast, is worse than most leading developed countries in the world. All this is wrong, and lacks common sense, and any decency and respect for the consumer, who are actually the the bread and butter of all business. It's disgraceful what this country does to especially our children, as well ... we are already at a point of borderline communism in the U.S., because of big business, with also censorship, just as much as communist China, and increasingly becoming a theocracy, similar to the Saudis ... THAT'S THE REALITY 🟪

[@voxxiigen7797]

Wall Street Slumlords

[@DerekSpeareDSD]

Professor: It is my view that a habitable abode is a basic human right, among others, and that no one may own property for habitation who is not a natural person; no non-person - corporation, etc - may own residential property (and commercial for that matter). Moreover, no person shall own more than one residential property, and should they own more than one - and that's a push - the tax bill to society should be significant. One person, one homestead. We have a perversion of life now in this capitalist nightmare. Every facet of our humanity is commodified and sold for profit. It must stop. I don't think it will become anything other than worse, unfortunately. Rich parasites are perfectly insulated from the mass of people. They wield power with impunity and without any accountability. World governments are simply their instruments used for make their sociopathic insanity a greater reality. Only a worldwide People's Revolution could possibly bring about the end of this nightmare, but that will never come to pass.

[@jamesmurphy9426]

Capitalism on steroids

[@lynnwood7205]

But you do not comprehend, Blackstone is a Corporate Person of the United States of America, whose personhood establishes its privilege to enjoy all the rights, protections, and liberties both civil and constitutional afforded by Federal Law and, as such a person, to rely upon the Federal government of the USA to protect and enforce such. The present concept of Corporate Personhood as constructed by the Federal Court System must be examined anew and intentionally and specifically addressed by Congress. In reality, it won't. Blackstone is able to contribute far greater campaign contributions than an average mortal citizen.

[@lianekerr650]

How is that good for society

[@theque6566]

Year of Jubilee....a consideration for a free future for all. ○¿○~

[@kathleenhillock9366]

Eat the rich.

[@JasonSmith-ej2fg]

Gotta confess to not paying attention since I already own my home and my friends own or are buying property for theirs. Witch leads to a flaw in what he says, if the houses aren't available, just buy land and build your own.

[@yorsan2240]

Until they do like florida, start raising insurance and taxes, watch them jump out when is more than proposed rent ,at least until enough homeowners have quitted their homes

[@brucehare1548]

They have all the land also

[@BartScantlin]

Why do people never call hotel owners parasites? Are they not controlling access to shelter? Or how about campsite owners? I get it. I don't like Blackrock either. But lets not lump Blackrock property managers with mom & pop home rentals. Calling all landlords parasites is just lazy rhetoric.

[@clarestucki5151]

The finger wagger doesn't say why he believes Blackstone providing all these rental homes is somehow 'evil'. It doesn't prevent people from building or buying their own homes. He seems to be advocating for permitting strictly public housing. but most public housing ventures in the U.S. have resulted in total disaster.

[@lanadellhatestheclock3325]

Bad take Clare!

[@joaolitos]

And then the guillotine was invented...

[@danielcaraveo4844]

Anybody heard of Mao?