Economic Update: The Great Replacement Theory

[S12 E26] The Great Replacement Theory
In this week's show, Prof Wolff discusses the replacement theory's grain of truth amidst its mostly ideological function: to save capitalism from criticism. He analyzes why US capitalists deprived so many white, male, Christian workers of their jobs, incomes, and social standing over recent decades and why that analysis was largely silenced by Cold War taboos since 1945. Were a new US left-labor alliance now to offer that critical-of-capitalism alternative, replacement theory's notion of a great conspiracy (largely by Democrats) to replace white, male, Christians with "others" would be far less socially influential.
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NEW 2021 Hardcover edition of “Understanding Marxism,” with a new, lengthy introduction by Richard Wolff is now available at: www.lulu.com/
“Marxism always was the critical shadow of capitalism. Their interactions changed them both. Now Marxism is once again stepping into the light as capitalism shakes from its own excesses and confronts decline.”
Check out all of d@w’s books: "The Sickness is the System," "Understanding Socialism," by Richard D. Wolff, and “Stuck Nation” by Bob Hennelly www.lulu.com/spotlight/democra...

[@ralphbernhard1757]

"It's called the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it" - George Carlin

[@lsz4281]

epic

[@mba2ceo]

PLENTY of JOB are ALL LIES - there are ALL lies and WILL NOT BE ANY

[@blackromulan]

@@lsz4281, indeed he was.

[@haleybrown2836]

Increasingly I ask myself why we need two legislative chambers- Senate and House of Representatives? Nothing gets done, a huge waste of resources. Why not, like other countries, have only one truly elected representative body. Hold presidential and representative election every four year. Our House of Representative needs to solicit campaign contributions the minute they take office. Six years for a senator is too long since what they campaign on and what they really intend to do are two different things.

[@bluewater454]

The really funny thing about that joke is that it was told by an American who became rich from telling jokes. Now that is funny.

[@mrmeow2297]

Kings and Queens were replaced by CEOs and Celebrities

[@barquerojuancarlos7253]

Yes, thus, the reason it's sometimes called "neo-feudalism". But, it's the same class struggle camouflaged with a different rhetoric from the elites in our midst

[@janmortimer1758]

Absolutely!

[@tymanung768]

In Europe, those 2 factions collaborate in Bilderburg Club (videos and websites about them?) since 1950s.

[@windps1410]

Good point. Queens and Kings were busy to share the world by colonizing every continents by using guns or selling opiums or selling slaves... Before HK was returned to the natives, it was never elected single governor during 140 some years, all governors were nominated by the British queen or by the Japan emperor. Because the system was colonialism not capitalism...

[@dennisyoung4631]

All of the wealth - and *none* of the responsibilities. Many kings, however, *were* irresponsible. It’s just that Corporations are *mandated* to be irresponsible, i.e. profits above all.

[@liberty-matrix]

“The perfect dictatorship would have the appearance of a democracy, but would basically be a prison without walls in which the prisoners would not even dream of escaping. It would essentially be a system of slavery where through consumption and entertainment, the slave would love their servitude.” ~Aldous Huxley

[@bluewater454]

At least you would have a choice under that form of “slavery”(although I have never heard of a form of slavery that gives you one). Socialism gives you no choices.

[@mavrospanayiotis]

@@bluewater454 in this "freedom" you don't even own what you produce. Wich is the essential of socialism: workers owning what they actually produce, choosing how to produce, invest and share of profits.

[@maxshea1829]

@@bluewater454 Nonsense.

[@bluewater454]

@@mavrospanayiotis The system that I live in allows me to own anything I can afford - and I would say that I own everything I need, and then some. And yes, I even have a little business that my wife and I started last year, where we own all the fruits of our labor. I would not even be allowed to do that in many socialist countries, like Cuba. And I also “own” the fruits of my labor from my regular job(that you call “slavery”😅). Well, at least I own what the government doesn’t first confiscate of its unfair share of my earnings. I get paid what I and my employer agreed I would be paid for what we both agreed I would be doing, and it works pretty well actually. The fact is that you socialists have nothing to complain about if you are being honest about what you really want. You say that you simply want to own the fruits of your labor. Well, you can already do that in a free market society. You can start your own business and “own” everything you earn. But that isn’t really what you want, is it? If it was then you would have no problem with a free market economy where you can build all the co-ops you are capable of creating. And if that were what socialism was really all about then that would be the defining feature of all the socialist economies we have seen in the past hundred years. …but that is not there defining feature. Is it. I think the idea of “owning the production of your labor” is a smoke screen for what you really want.

[@bluewater454]

@@maxshea1829 Next time, try tossing an intelligent thought process into your comment. “Nonsense” doesn’t really cut it.

[@oldsesalt8496]

Reagan was responsible for the loss of industrial jobs. Before him factory owners were coaxed to invest in their factories. They had high tax rates which they could lower with tax deductions from buying new plant and equipment. When the base taxes were drastically lowered and the tax shelters no longer necessary, they were free to close their factories and move them to anywhere else but America.

[@humboldthammer]

Ronald Reagan, leaving office in 1988: "I can't believe it either (Iran/Contra) but those are the facts." GHW Bush 1988 campaign trail: "Read my lips, no new factses." Clinton 1992: KISS Keep It Secret Stupid Double-EWE Bush 2008: "I fooled ewes twice -- SHAME ON EWES." Obama 2012: "What Biblical Principles are you Republicans talking about -- the Sermon on the Mount? 'But is say Love your enemies . . ." Trump 2017 "Every nation for itself . . . in the Name of GAUD." Biden 2020 "Nothing will FUND-amentally change." T. Tipity Top: 2019: " I shall control ALL the currencies and YOU will do whatever I want . . . and you will like it." hint: Epochal Eclipse a CROSS America on April 8th 2024. Don't stare at the sun. Matthew 16: 4 Jonah 3: 4-5, 8 Jonah 4: 11

[@bruh-tq2pw]

You guys are meat heads

[@fannyli9853]

You are so right.

[@ilovetech8341]

yes but you also need a rising birth rate to sell the products to that your factories are producing. it isn't a matter of only investing in equipment. it is a demographics problem

[@claytonkipling1398]

My grandfather worked at a steel mill from the time he left the Navy to the time he retired. He raised five kids, had full healthcare benefits and, as part of his union contract, got 16 weeks! of PAID vacation a year. I currently work a non-union job in a fervently anti-union red state and I'm lucky to be full time with benefits. And yet some of my coworkers still complain about immigrants taking American jobs (not this job, the jobs they already aren't doing) and how unions are just another tax on your income. My insurance plan costs me and it is bare minimum if it covers anything at all! Everything we're taxed on doesn't get repaired or improved in our lifetime (roads/highways, public energy improvements) and just goes into the hands of our senator's private sector buddies. I've heard "well just move and find a better job!" and guess what? this was the better job compared to my previous one with no guarantee of hours and no benefits. And it's still worse than what my grandfather had 60 years ago. 16 weeks of PAID vacation. I get a week. I work here for 25 years, I'll get 3. And I'm sure I'll never be able to retire.

[@dr.detroit1514]

Books from the 90's, "America: Who Stole the Dream?", "America: What Went Wrong?", and "America: Who Really Pays the Taxes?", By Barlett and Steele, are eye opening reads, if you can find them.

[@23erisx]

I find what you say to be totally relatable. Especially the last sentence. But honestly, the real cause of our emotional burden is expectation. Richard opens this episode talking about the American Dream. Whoever sold that idea first, sold it best - my mother's generation really believed in it, as if it were foundational physics. The joke's on us. Find peace where you can.

[@claytonkipling1398]

@@23erisx I'm certainly trying, I just wonder how much longer other generations can stand being the punchline

[@andysamet4554]

And you don't think this has anything to do with the fact that your company can just import someone in and give them your job for a fraction of your pay? Yes, it's corporations who are doing this to you. How, then, is the question. By bringing in foreign workers to replace you. It's that simple. A diverse workplace is a workplace without solidarity. Corporations study this. They know if they have a blend of American workers, black workers, Hispanic workers, immigrants from Africa and elsewhere, the workforce won't sacrifice for common benefits, they can get scabs if you strike, and they can play you off against each other.

[@claytonkipling1398]

@@andysamet4554 I understand I'm absolutely replaceable, but I would be very careful of the implied notion that we should keep a workforce homogenous. This will just enforce existing trends in inequality and it's absurd to imply you couldn't connect with fellow working class members on the basis of skin color or cultural backgrounds. That would be a failure on your part of overcoming bias. Working class solidarity should come above all else as it is the greatest common denominator and its communicating that to others that is the challenge.

[@dann7788]

Thank you Prof. Wolff for sharing the economic (working class) history that could not be spoken for so long. It is long overdue to have this discussion.

[@markrussell3428]

Personally, he has missed the point - massively. This is a nice conceptualization based on an industrial age worker/employer relationship. Not sure how it applies to healthcare (i.e., does a specialist surgeon have more economic value to that of the food services worker?). Now in a digital age, where are the incentives to reward risk, invention and innovation by the individual (e.g., Google, Tesla). What is the inspiration for work if you remove the reword? Back to the topic: Prof Wolff is a genius but imagine him being denied promotion in his field or even the ability to apply for promotion simply based on his innate characteristics and the benefits of his past privilege. This is exactly what is happening.

[@treefrog3349]

I believe that the "great replacement" is a bigger fear to the privileged, managerial and political class who engineered this inequitable mess in the first place. The anxieties and concerns of the working classes, and the divisiveness that they educe, are merely being cynically manipulated by the monied few to perpetuate their own self-serving strategies.

[@kevchard5214]

This great replacement effects the working class more than the privileged managerial class. The privileged managerial class is offered the option to move to other countries in order to keep their jobs but the working class never gets this option.

[@saturationstation1446]

@@kevchard5214 the working class could just use equal force to take back their rights to life

[@kevchard5214]

@@saturationstation1446 Yes they could but they have been trained to accept their place in the cast system so the majority won't.

[@georgefurman4371]

The fear is a promoted political weapon based on lying about the causes for the loss of buying power of the working class and of their sources of income. The fear is not a fear to the managerial sectors or to automation. It is a designed political explanation given by the ideological instruments of the wealthy class to deflect from their responsibility. Scapegoating, racism, white supremacy organization, the politicization of the discontent for loss of jobs in political division is weapponized and used as a deflecting with acts of violence and reinforced by ideological indoctrination. Systematic promotion of conspiracies designed to confuse and divide. That is the reason for the fear. Confusion and lies.

[@kevchard5214]

@@georgefurman4371 EXACTLY!!!!!!!

[@johnsomebody1753]

Here in England, (home of the Luddites), we've had the conversation about Luddites, and the confusion somehow being spread that they were, "anti-machine", or anti-tech. They weren't. They commonly understood that the people abusing it, or the ideas manipulating them, were the problem

[@marygard4608]

Sounds like they were simply trying to maintain their humanity.

[@janosmarothy5409]

@@marygard4608 Let's not go crazy here. They were trying to to maintain _their particular position within an evolving mode of production_ not their "humanity."

[@janosmarothy5409]

Okay, but the Marxist analysis of Luddism stands. We all know the vulgar "proto-primitivist" caricature of Luddism, but that isn't what Marxists or Wolff are talking about. The Luddites weren't early socialists trying to overthrow capitalism, they were swimming against the current in vain to preserve an archaic form of commodity production against the modern industrial capitalism of the day. This attacking capitalism 2.0 on the basis of defending capitalism 1.5 is reactionary and has nothing to do with the genuine interests of the working class. And sticking with the main topic of the video, it tracks with the reactionary character of the pseudo-populist right that pretends to care about working people in only the most superficial terms that devolve into a pile of incoherent nostrums held together by a racialized nostalgia for a largely mythical golden age of mid-20th century capitalism.

[@ExPwner]

Only idiot communists could try to rationalize the Luddites.

[@davespanksalot8413]

​@@janosmarothy5409 To be fair they were trying to protect their labour commodity which allowed them a wage which allowed them to subsist which allowed them to live their humanity where there are no alternative ways of subsistence. I'm sure the machines would have become luddites to if they had little kiddy machines at home to feed and clothe...

[@SimGunther]

Same old trick that's been used by leaders since the dawn of time: Confuse, anger, and direct the "one true people" towards an easy scapegoat so the powerful can _escape_ with their riches and influence.

[@josephyoung6749]

If we welcomed immigrants, it might be the kind of class solidarity that would catapult millions of americans towards prosperity. There is real power among the hoards of delivery people, field workers and garbage collectors. Instead we divide ourselves into various castes of racial untouchables while steadily loosing more and more freedom.

[@bluewater454]

Sounds like China.

[@jo18533]

I have reported your comment for anti-semitism.

[@bluewater454]

@@jo18533 Learn to read.

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

"If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you." Lyndon B. Johnson

[@nancinyols8015]

Well, that nails it. Thank you so much. Have you just kept this in your head or sourced it recently? I wish this was being re quoted on more news sites. I grew up in a small town in Texas in the 60s (moved away from USA, happily) and have often told non Americans how the racism in that little town worked then - the only people who were racists were the poor, uneducated whites who needed to feel superior to someone since they were looked down upon by the other whites.

[@jacpratt8608]

@@nancinyols8015 It sounds like something James Baldwin said too, maybe about the same time. 'One thing all white people know about Blacks is that they wouldn't want to be one.'

[@jenniferdickson-bonds8314]

Truth

[@maxshea1829]

@@nancinyols8015 And who feeds them that hogwash? Right-wing media in service of the billionaires.

[@David-ni5hj]

Very fucking classist, isn't it???

[@TomRivieremusic]

A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves and traitors are not victims...but accomplices" - George Orwell

[@bluewater454]

Probably the smartest comment on this video(besides mine).

[@jacpratt8608]

bloody George Orwell, like John Pilger, always ready to finger the rest of us. virtue signalling old know-alls.

[@TheAmericanAmerican]

THIS is why I follow you, Professor Wolff! When you talk about the economically history of the USA, you do so in the most comprehensive way possible! More of this please and thank you!

[@federalreservebrown2507]

he is a small hat con man

[@federalreservebrown2507]

@Account NumberEight there be zionists among us also

[@TheAmericanAmerican]

@@federalreservebrown2507 shhhhhhhhhhh hush now wittle sheep... I think I hear Sargon of the Cucked and Dim Tool calling you back to their right-wing cuckservative fever-dream... be careful... there might be a harmless man in a dress around the corner waiting to "brainwash you into becoming a woke drag queen"! 🤣 Go and get washed up into their BS... soak in it and never ever think for yourself! Don't you ever go outside and see the real world with your own eyes! Stay inside... in their fantasy world... stay inside... where it's "safe"....

[@jgalt308]

Too bad he has no factual evidence to support "his story"... which is only believed by people more ignorant of history than he is...this number constitutes the vast majority of those in the U.S. and yet he can only get 2500 people to support him.

[@TheAmericanAmerican]

@@jgalt308 HA!!! Oh that's rich coming from someone who watches Dimmy Doreknob and RT!!! 🤣🤣

[@pabloseykata6930]

I love what Henry Ford said about Automation: "And how many Cars are these machines going to buy?".

[@GR3YS0RG4N1CS]

Henry Ford the Nazi sympathizer?

[@jacpratt8608]

Ford was no fool. But even Ford had better intentions than maximum exploitation and the mighty System said No Way. Its a big fight we caught i

[@LavishPatchKid]

Yeah, he was one the few people who realized workers and consumers are the same people. It is amazing how many otherwise 'seemingly intelligent people' this fact escapes.

[@sebastiancovenent1528]

Ford were a disgrace then. And a disgrace now .... Ford's fascism ... Sponsorship of the Chicago School 'experiments' in Chile etc etc etc No informed person should be buying Ford

[@117Industries]

So if they are willing to replace you with machines it makes you wonder if these actors are cooperating to change the economic paradigm altogether. Because the worker does buy the car but at the cost of thumping CO2 into the air, poisoning himself and the environment, and leaving 1.5 metric tonnes of scrap metal to sit inertly in a landfill for considerable time thereafter.

[@lindascanlan6317]

You made it quite clear Professor Wolff. You're my instructor...

[@markrussell3428]

Really? Seems to me he has missed the point - massively for this specific topic. This is a nice industrial age conceptualization of the worker/employer relationship. Not sure how it applies to healthcare (i.e., does a specialist surgeon requiring years of dedication and schooling have more economic value to that of the food services worker in the hospital cafeteria?). Even now in a digital age there are incentives to reward risk, invention and innovation by the individual (e.g., Google, Tesla). What becomes the inspiration for work if you remove the reword? Back to the topic which really wasn't addressed: Prof Wolff is a genius but imagine him being denied promotion in his field or even the ability to apply for promotion simply based on his innate characteristics and the benefits of his past privilege. This is exactly what is happening.

[@whygohome172]

When you're used to privilege, equality feels like a punishment.

[@007kingifrit]

equality is a bad thing, people are naturally unequal and thus inequality is a sign of people being treated as individuals

[@m.woodsrobinson9244]

All biases stem from insecurity. Those who are secure with themselves don't feel intimidated by others, nor do they resort to nefarious means to make themselves feel secure.

[@007kingifrit]

@@m.woodsrobinson9244 uhhhh no, bias is a mandatory part of being a human. it's just your wants and wishes god this channel is full of pseudointellectuals

[@markrussell3428]

Oh so wrong. Its equity that feels like punishment, equality is what we strive for. Seems to me he has missed the point - massively for this specific topic. This is a nice industrial age conceptualization of the worker/employer relationship. Prof Wolff is a genius but imagine him being denied promotion in his field or even the ability to apply for promotion simply based on his innate characteristics and the benefits of his past privilege. This is exactly what is happening - he didn't go there and it would have been enlightening to hear him address that.

[@007kingifrit]

@@markrussell3428 both equity and equality are impossible in the real world and will hurt anyone who strives for them fairness is what you want

[@davidluckens3479]

when my parents were growing up in depression era Brooklyn,in economic circumstances much more dire than we face today,the city was run by a "corrupt" political machine which expanded social services,made NYC's public school system the envy of the world,supported the arts,etc-today the city government is "owned" not by a political machine with significant ties to organized crime,but by a donor class of capitalists .The result has been crumbling physical and social infrastructure-acres of children who are ignored until there is probable cause,real or pretextual ,for the cops to arrest and deposit them in the disgraceful Rikkers Island jail.The city now has one of the highest rates of economic inequality of any large city on earth--Over my lifetime Tammany has been "replaced" by the "donor " class.I thank Professor Wolff and his colleagues for providing me with the theoretical framework to better understand what has happened to NYC.

[@marywest6844]

Abuse and neglect of children, so is the future.

[@elizabethbennet4791]

i can second this as a third generation new yorker. my grandfather was born in williamsburg in 1915. what you say is all true.

[@brucemarmy8500]

Only difference is the tammany hall men lived in the immediate area. now those donors are hours away and many layers above the regular citizenry.

[@noyasuarez7070]

This is really the most interesting and dead on analysis of the current political climate in the US and the world, thank you prof. Wolff

[@markrussell3428]

Really? Seems to me he has missed the point - massively for this specific topic. This is a nice industrial age conceptualization of the worker/employer vision. Not sure how it applies to healthcare (i.e., does a specialist surgeon requiring years of dedication and schooling have more economic value to that of the food services worker in the hospital cafeteria?). Even now in a digital age there are incentives to reward risk, invention and innovation by the individual (e.g., Google, Tesla). What becomes the inspiration for work if you remove the reword? Back to the topic: Prof Wolff is a genius but imagine him being denied promotion in his field or even the ability to apply for promotion simply based on his innate characteristics and the benefits of his past privilege. This is exactly what is happening.

[@SuperTonyony]

When you are accustomed to privilege, equality seems like oppression.

[@matthewmcree1992]

Imagine how the average working class Trump voter would react if you had Prof. Wolff explain in person why their lives were now so hopeless unlike in the past. He has the intelligence, knowledge of economic history, speaking ability, and charisma to change minds. And that is why the mainstream media never lets him on unless it is to make fun of Marxism.

[@jgalt308]

I wasn't aware that the mainstream media let him on. Do you have references that can be found that would lead to the videos where this has occurred?

[@lindascanlan6317]

Agree ...

[@bluewater454]

I am guessing that the “average Trump voter” is not so easy to brainwash into hopelessness as your average leftist seems to be, which is why you are so easily persuaded by an articulate Marxist like Wolf. Most Trump voters that I have met were raised to be self sufficient - again, unlike leftists, who seem more like baby birds with their mouths open, waiting for the government to feed them and give them what they feel entitled to for free. FEED ME MOMMA!

[@bluewater454]

@@jgalt308 Wolff has done several interviews in the main stream media. I saw him on the Bill Maher show several years back, where Wolff was treated with deference the entire time.

[@GF-pc5bt]

This isn’t about trump or not trump voters….its about we the people have common needs and that’s where you have to focus…they keep people divided on purpose.

[@3rdmm]

The "American Dream" was always a con.

[@richardbuckharris189]

“In modern capitalism economic exploitation rather than political oppression is the real enemy of the people.” ― Emma Goldman

[@chuckleaf8027]

Ah the true colors of the Wolfpack.....bombers and anarchists!!!!

[@richardbuckharris189]

@@chuckleaf8027 What wolfpack?

[@chuckleaf8027]

@@richardbuckharris189 Commie fans of Wolff here.. like you,.

[@chuckleaf8027]

@@richardbuckharris189 Bet you loved when Sasha shot Frick in the throat, right?

[@Shadowman4710]

@@richardbuckharris189 I think the troll means us...even though only the fash are throwing bombs and bullets at this point.

[@supportiranianfreedom4982]

By God, this segment has to be a mandatory watch for every citizen in this country!!! If the greater majority of us don't wake up to the truths that Dr. Wolff speaks in this segment, and change things, it will all be lost and sooner than we think.

[@literung8767]

Only when it's too late do people want to hear. The downward inertia cannot be stopped now.

[@supportiranianfreedom4982]

@@literung8767 I pray that you're wrong about this....I can't help but have an uneasy feeling about the whole thing.

[@literung8767]

@@supportiranianfreedom4982 that uneasy feeling is what you hope isn't there, but your inner self is more rational, and it is only you it is telling.

[@chervilant]

Will we indeed... we MUST have each other's backs if we're to survive what's coming.

[@oorzuis1419]

as a European, I always found the negativity around the idea of socialism in the US abject. the whole point of socialism is being social how can it be wrong for a nation to recognize it as an important part of its structure, being social.

[@m.woodsrobinson9244]

This is what happens when, for seventy years, a nation of people have been convinced that extending help to the poor enables them but extending help to the wealthy is a sound investment because they're "too big to fail". This comes from decades of politicians, business tycoons, celebrities, and preachers telling people to work harder, to not be lazy, to get out and hustle so God will bless you, althewhile they manipulate the system and live off of the gains of people who actually produce by stashing money in tax shelters, launder money and engage in racketeering. It comes from seventy years of selling its citizens a culture of death, - from their war profiteering, to their junk food, their blatant disregard for the environment, their Godless and hedonistic culture, the sexualization of their children and their bastardization of freedom of conscience. It comes from convincing people that the only way to thwart the best interests of others is to vote against your own best interests. It comes from convincing people that humanity, cooperation and selflessness are the problems but greed, entitlement and selfishness are above reproach.

[@BreckoniousMaximus]

Keep up the fight Professor Wolff! I've had good luck spreading this message by not using the terms Socialism, Communism, or the Left. I simply explain the problems and describe a way we could do better. You really have to remind people on the right that you're on their side, focus on worker solidarity and class consciousness. I don't argue ideology or rhetoric, just policy. I show people the actual policy of certain politicians so they can see how damaging it is to their economic self-interest. The funny thing is....I'm a Cop, and you'd be surprised how many of my coworkers agree with me, just don't use the terms mentioned above. This is where the Left fails, they need to win over the security apparatuses of the State. Remember, most members of the State's security apparatuses come from the working class. The Left needs to remind these security personnel of this.

[@markrussell3428]

Interesting. But how does this relates to this topic? Dr Wolff seems to have missed the point - massively - and you would appreciate this first hand. His industrial age conceptualization of the worker/employer vision is fine. Not sure how it applies to healthcare (i.e., does a specialist surgeon requiring years of dedication and schooling have more economic value to that of the food services worker in the hospital cafeteria?). Even now in a digital age there are incentives to reward risk, invention and innovation by the individual (e.g., Google, Tesla). What becomes the inspiration for work if you remove the reword? Back to the topic: Prof Wolff is a genius but imagine him being denied promotion in his field or even the ability to apply for promotion simply based on his innate characteristics and the benefits of his past privilege. This is exactly what is happening - I can only assume you have witnessed this in your field.

[@terrymusch9581]

Richard Wolff. National Treasure …😇

[@sebastiancovenent1528]

International treasure.

[@terrymusch9581]

Amen

[@marywest6844]

The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for those with good, to do nothing,. Professor thank you, as one of those to come to the fore.

[@TheReddaredevil223]

And what if evil massively outnumbers the good? Then the ONLY thing for them necessary to triumph is for the good to do nothing? I don't think so. That quote is stupid

[@dsartain3404]

Their grief and their sadness is real. The majority did not buy into what they have ended up with. They were loyal, to their country and community and fellow citizens . They loved amongst like-minded people who abided by an ethic and principles. I am glad you acknowledged that from the start.

[@joelhenry5489]

They also did everything in their power to exclude black people from the economic benefits they gained. So boo hoo.

[@commraiders5]

Disagree. They believed their loyalty to politicians was the same as their country and culture. Wrong. Being ignorant and dumb isn't an excuse for being racist. No excuse for believing this shit.

[@woodytobiasjr8265]

Ethnics and principles? America was founded on war, slavery and genocide. Is that the ethics and principles you're referring to.

[@SyncrisisVideos]

What about all the people that warned them about whom they support? Are they absolved from all blame for contributing to the downfall if they oops didn't think it would work out the way people told them it would?

[@dsartain3404]

America was founded by men of their time. Other countries committed atrocities, genocide, slavery and all manner of injustice, by men of their time. Pointless to look back at history from what you think is an enlightened position. Have the honesty to acknowledge that please.

[@barrydalfino6967]

Richard and Bernie need to start the Peoples Party right now, if it’s not already too late. Great running mates!

[@jacpratt8608]

A lot of people would join. Hal why not?

[@nmavrantzas]

Only the people can save the people.

[@reconnaissanceman23]

Your friend Bernie is too busy signing $40 billion bills for Ukraine and fundraising for the next election cycle to repeat the same promises he does not champion when in Congress

[@23erisx]

I believe it exists. It will never get the opportunity to do much more than compete in local politics. The national political scene is completely owned and operated by brands R and D. Third parties are not even allowed into the debates.

[@joshanderson7358]

@@nmavrantzas Yes.True. Power to the people.

[@lincolngoodman9304]

Inflation is causing a lot of issue in the world ranging from food shortages, diesel fuel and heating fuel shortages, baby formula shortage, shortage of and price of available cars, the price of housing. It's all coming together and could lead to real disaster toward the end of this year.(or sooner)

[@liambracey6708]

>Consider the Economy as One Huge Engine that Produces the Life Styles that Humans live & Prosper & create a Healthy Finaci@lly secure future for their Families . Corruption, Manipulation , creation of Unhealthy Political Policy & Diplomatic Environments is a recipe for Engine Failure. People are equally losing m0ni in the financial market in the midst of all these.

[@richardsoncuthel810]

@Chloe Baker This sounds like a great idea, >>but never knew how to go about it, Have you seek pr0 assistance before? what is the experience like

[@dingusdingus2152]

Cat food shortages

[@Scott-tm9ml]

Keep an eye on the countries that have a rising ESG score. That's a WEF initiate that has been killing countries. Look up Ghana, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, & S Africa. Their ESG score is above 96%. France & Germany are in the low 90%. The USA is in the mid 50% range. I haven't looked into other countries. The WEF is big bully in the block and they are destroying countries and this false narrative of going green on everything. These small countries are forced into it and are going through starvation, no fuel, & rolling blackouts. Destroying countries with this ESG score is more important than humanity and the survival of those countries. Everyone needs to fight back and tell their states not to follow this path. It takes approximately 3 years to destroy a nation.

[@peterjol]

Almost all problems could be solved by making it financially worthwhile for people to SHARE the jobs we can agree we NEED people to do and work much less...no more working and doing anything just FOR money but sharing the work we need....there would be no more unemployment and no more an insane infinite growth system on a finite planet.

[@Brian-vk1hm]

Or if all of the commies would just buzz off

[@jacpratt8608]

and Bertie Russell said it all in the 1930s too. BUT - is it possible the governing mob do not want a well rewarded part time leisure class with time to sit around and think? When I look around it appears the governing mob want the working age population to be either lying on the pavement with their feet in the rain and their hat out for change or they're working two jobs to make one or one job at home and office which takes up every waking hour and leaves them drained and anxious. Perhaps I need a dose of Soma? A happy pill?

[@peterjol]

@@jacpratt8608 sadly everyone says 'the rich won't allow it' to almost any suggestion for a better world....and I guess it's true.

[@JulietteKando]

+1

[@sunnersky5996]

Wow that’s interesting 🤔

[@TheRaferaf]

When you think about it Greed is at the center of almost all human strive. War, climate degradation, poverty, crime all can be traced back to that basic human instinct and there appears to be no limit to it. While millions go hungry and homeless billionaires have their own space programs which in no small part are funded by the taxpayers.

[@glacianwannabe]

Professor Wolff you are so insightful! I love you so much! You have an absolute charisma. ♥️

[@dawnjones659]

So glad you mentioned the Emporer's New Clothes! A story I often read to my students for the very same reason. Centrist Democrats and the DNC must be held accountable for what we are facing and the filibuster consequences.

[@ralphbernhard1757]

“The dumbing down (of America is evident in the slow decay of substantive content, a kind of celebration of ignorance.” - Carl Sagan He had a foreboding of America of the future. While he was alive, he witnessed how manufacturing jobs were being shifted abroad, and everything became focussed on making as much profit for as few super-rich as possible, and as much for a few as possibly achievable without an outright revolution, while the endless talking and talking and talking carried on and on and on... In more detail: “I have a foreboding of an America in my children's or grandchildren's time -- when the United States is a service and information economy; when nearly all the manufacturing industries have slipped away to other countries; when awesome technological powers are in the hands of a very few, and no one representing the public interest can even grasp the issues; when the people have lost the ability to set their own agendas or knowledgeably question those in authority; when, clutching our crystals and nervously consulting our horoscopes, our critical faculties in decline, unable to distinguish between what feels good and what's true, we slide, almost without noticing, back into superstition and darkness...The dumbing down of American is most evident in the slow decay of substantive content in the enormously influential media, the 30 second sound bites (now down to 10 seconds or less), lowest common denominator programming, credulous presentations on pseudoscience and superstition, but especially a kind of celebration of ignorance.” Again. His "foreboding" not only concerned the USA, but this desease of ignorance, indifference, and complacency is rapidly spreading all over the western world. There is no need for anybody here to "pat the own back" and "point at America" while laughing.

[@TheAmericanAmerican]

I'd beat my paycheck that Carl was a socialist... Capitalism has served its purpose and has been loooong overdue for being replaced by a much better economic system. To think otherwise is to think that we are done progressing and history has ended.

[@jgalt308]

@@TheAmericanAmerican There is no better economic system...nor can you produce any evidence to the contrary. It required 200,000 years ( at a minimum ) for the human population to reach 1 billion. (in 1750) Since the advent of industrialized capitalism that population has increased 8 fold in less than 300 years...and lifted 2/3 of it out of poverty, when 95% of it lived in poverty before. People who can not acquire the resources to survive, die. Businesses that can not produce a profit, die. Industrial capitalism is no longer an element of the U.S economy and as a result, it can not support the non-productive elements. So if you have a problem with the state of society in the U.S. it is not the fault of "industrial capitalism" that produces things...since there is very little left of it. If there was no "value" or "advantage" attached that was of national benefit then neither the Soviets nor the Maoists would have abandoned their Marxist-inspired revolutions to embrace it. But that's what happens when you listen to people like Wolff who have no clue what any of the words mean or the history which explains them.

[@117Industries]

@@TheAmericanAmerican I agree with both of you. But I would go further than the OP and say that it seems like the ills of Capitalism’s faux dream have spread the world over. All over social media I see people from the Middle East, Africa, all over the Asian continent, China, Japan and various parts of Russia suffering from the same intellectual and spiritual affliction. So saying it’s a western problem is a convenient way to divide East and West, when in reality almost the entire world has poisoned itself with its false promise and shelled itself out spiritually as a result.

[@humboldthammer]

"THIS" . . . is EweToo(b) where "baaa'd!" sells. Be sure to check auto-sheep. I mean, ship. Epochal Eclipse April 8th 2024. Don't stare at the sun. Matthew 16: 4 Jonah 3: 4-5, 8 Jonah 4: 11

[@117Industries]

@@humboldthammer The television show ‘Heroes’ and the music group ‘Eternal Eclipse’ spring to mind! Really fascinating stuff, regardless of what happens. Although a little frightening, it’s pretty cool to know that at least some of our scriptural texts *weren’t* made up after all, and that the prophets really *did* have special prophetic powers. It sure breathes a dose of fresh life into history, theology, mythology, and life itself for that matter! Far from life being banal, we were each of us all along in the middle of an epic galactic drama of millennial scope and cosmic significance. Kinda makes me feel better about having prayed to God and Jesus throughout my life too. I don’t feel like such a loser now 👍.

[@TomRivieremusic]

“The comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor” Voltaire._

[@EvolutionWendy]

professor wolff, honestly this is once again your best ever. if you were to host zoom support groups for people trying to break into a more healthy paradigm, I am sure they would be very effective and helpful. I'm finding my collapse support groups extremely nurturing and I do believe an economic change such as you suggest is required, would greatly benefit from a support group so that people could have friends and ideas to realize this beneficial objective.

[@treefrog3349]

Extreme nationalism and patriotism is the secular equivalent of religious fanaticism. Ominously, in America, we now have an un-holy "marriage" of the two. Fortunately, I am old enough to decline my invitation to the "reception".

[@ericsuarez834]

It really depends on what you base your nationalism on, if it's because of how many weapons you can buy in your home country it's to be expected to be a bad situation

[@hanfucolorful9656]

The main purpose of 5G is NOT for making a phone call or playing a game on your phone, but to get the machines connected for automation.

[@richardyasushiii3848]

Thanks for continuing to speak truth to power, even when people continue to deny it. It’s good to hear your thoughts as they keep many of us sane.

[@philiptan2051]

Exactly right, prof. It is not the American dream anymore but the American disillusionment.

[@treefrog3349]

"Why"you ask? I know that this is a rhetorical question, Prof. Wolff. For over 40 years the American People have been so intellectually-deprived INTENTIONALLY that many of them don't even know what happened to them. I wish that you, Prof. Wolff, would provide a tutorial for your listeners on the insidious implications of both the Tri-Lateral Commission and the Powell Memorandum. An "excess of democracy"? Really? In America? really?

[@breft3416]

Democracy is dead.

[@barquerojuancarlos7253]

The Powell memo was written in 1971 by tobacco industry attorney, soon-to-be Supreme Court Justice, Lewis Powell. He recommended big businesses/corporations start investing their wealth into places where it did the most good for them. He encouraged development of think tanks. Within only a few years a number of right wing think tanks arose, including the Heritage Foundation. A founder of the HF was Paul Weyrich. In 1980, Weyrich gave a speech to several thousand conservative clergymen in Dallas, where he openly said, he does not favor a democracy (it's on YT). The HF also gave the Reagan admin an outline of the policies it should take. ... The Trilateral Commission is best known for its booklet "Crisis in Democracy" - the "crisis" was that there was too much democracy, too many people making demands etc. Their members packed the Jimmy Carter administration.

[@andreadaerice]

Thank you Professor Wolff, your knowledge is so important! I only wish more people could hear your wise words.

[@rajo741]

The story of the “Luddites” has always been misread. Sadly Richard continues the misinterpretation. Luddites smashed the machines NOT because the workers were being replaced but because those machines needed to run around the clock which increased the need for shift workers. This in turn led to destruction of home life by keeping (mostly men) from their families on weekends and evenings and alcoholism, burn out and abuse escalated dramatically. The story of the Luddite movement needs to have the record corrected.

[@AGirlofYesterday]

Even the word Luddite has such a negative connotation now, which I'm trying to change by proudly declaring myself a Luddite often in public. 😄 Maybe we need a better word for someone not in favor of computers taking over all the jobs ... and the world. In The Terminator they were called the Resistance. Catchy.

[@janosmarothy5409]

No, Wolff presents it correctly. The Luddites weren't trying to overthrow capitalism, they were trying to preserve an archaic form of capitalist petty production against large-scale modern industry. Their struggle was not only reformist, but reactionary in its aims. You're attacking a strawman by suggesting that Wolff is going after a caricature of Luddism. In fact, what's at issue here is the basic opposition of Marxism as a theoretical-political tradition rooted in the modern working class to anarchism, which at its peak historically tended to be associated with petty bourgeois, craftsmen, and semi-proletarian strata caught up in formal subsumption of labor. Maybe you're aware of this, maybe not, but the strange attempt to restore the supposedly tarnished honor of Luddism is a recent anarchist project of theoretical and historical water-muddying. It fundamentally mischaracterizes the relationship between technology, class formation and the struggle for socialism.

[@rajo741]

@@janosmarothy5409 I made no reference to caricature. A rather liberal interpretation. And there is nothing revisionist about the correct reading of what so called luddites ie. ordinary working class people suffered at the hands of industrialization which was in the hands of corporate overlords. A new form of “rod” applied to the backs of workers. I suppose the next argument is that all this was to the good as it led to unionization and the 5 day work week.

[@janosmarothy5409]

@@rajo741 You don't have to make a reference to a caricature, you have to _actually present_ the caricature... which is what you did in your initial post. You're mischaracterizing Wolff's remarks about Luddism, and that's what my reply addressed. You also didn't address the main thrust of what I'm saying, which would be helpful in making sense of your concluding remark. Do you seriously believe human civilization was in some state of prelapsarian perfection in 1800? Because that's the only way to make sense of that thought, and it doesn't present a very compelling political worldview, to put it mildly.

[@rajo741]

@@janosmarothy5409 Well in that case we’re going to continue to disagree. You say I mischaracterized Wolffs remarks (when we all heard him utter the standard tropes that are meant to define the “Luddite” movement) and I say he was wrong to define it the way he did.

[@user-cn3tf9hm5n]

Intresting content. Is it still advisable to leave idle money in a saving account at an average interest rate of 0.95%? I want a better way to diversify my portfolio and with current inflation, cr'ypto gain taxes are no jokes. I would like to know the most efficient way to make money work for me without falling due to market fluctu_ations as we are in bear market. Any tips?

[@jackbrown9163]

Job will pay your bills, business will make you rich but investments make and keep you wealthy , the future is inevitable.

[@louiscruz9175]

Investing is considered a bedrock in making generational wealth. Most people don't know when, where or what to invest in.

[@robertjones4635]

How can someone know a professional trader that is trustworthy when legit ones are difficult to find this days?

[@mariahkovi]

​@@robertjones4635I strongly advise you agai-nst self trading, it's really dangerous and had brought so many investors down, you need some one with the knowledge and strategies, some one dedicated to the cr'ypto currency market business and I will strongly recommend expert Ellis Gregory Carson Fx.

[@melvinaugustin282]

Wo'w so nice, seeing people talk about Ellis Gregory, I jusy made my fi'rst with-drawal, trading with him. All thanks to my aunty who intro-duced him to me.

[@blogintonblakley2708]

Business people exploit and destroy. That is what they've done since the very beginning, not sure why it's so hard for people to realize.

[@ExPwner]

Propaganda

@@ExPwner nope Eat the Rich

[@ExPwner]

@ exploitation was debunked. Cope and seethe

[@blogintonblakley2708]

@@ExPwner When you say propaganda. Are you tagging your comments... or mine? You might want to be specific... you since your only goal is to sneer. Hard to blame you since you've failed to uphold any of your thesis' in our earlier discussions. But when we are talking about sneers don't you think they are better when they are specific?

[@ExPwner]

@@blogintonblakley2708 yours. It is false information meant to misinform or deceive others.

[@quentinlay1932]

Simply, EXCELLENT!! I have heard Nobody explain our situation along with a first step towards a solution more clearly!

[@boombot934]

Absolutely crucial material to share with your friends! Please, share, like and subscribe. Let's help professor Wolf in his important question to educate white, male, Christian working people!

[@kevchard5214]

This is a waste of time. The white christian Americans won't believe any of this calling it communism. These people were brainwashed from children with fairytale christianity and their other religion capitalism. There is 80 years of brainwashing to overcome and like the lies from chriatianity they refuse to see the truth.

[@son-of-the-republic3723]

What a racist comment. What makes this race inferior?

[@realtijuana5998]

"Nothing will fundamentally change." - Joseph Raisinet Biden to his donors, 18 September 2019

[@user-zy4wv7yx1z]

😭 no I legit like Raisinettes, they don't deserve to be compared to Biden

[@mohammedraheef1415]

Surprising topic, but I'm here for it.

[@karlkerr7348]

Trickle down is a myth

[@Zhagg1]

"Experience demonstrates that there may be a wages of slavery only a little less galling and crushing in its effects than chattel slavery, and that this slavery of wages must go down with the other." Frederick Douglass

[@blogintonblakley2708]

It's really common sense... unless you've been raised with civilized biases. The idea that a person should have to work for another person in order to survive is just plain silly on it's face. Here's what it's like. We both get washed up on a deserted island. I tell you to get to work making me breakfast... That's it. That's how much sense it makes for people to work for others.

[@benvad9010]

You notice he’s completely omitted his tribe from this Ponzi scheme?

[@Djdrunkdad]

I work at a USA made metal company that makes shelves when I started there were only Americans of all nationalities but Americans. Now they only hire foreigners and I am but one of few at the company still I am also now being forced out of my job they can not hire Americans of any religion or race because they won’t raise the wages so they hire foreigners and keep are wages low

[@JasonGoodfellow]

Particularly good context. A grade, shareable content. Thank you!

[@c99kfm]

"Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." - Matthew 12:25, Luke 11:17 "United we stand, divided we fall." - Aesop "Workers of the world, unite!" - Karl Marx

[@pandoraboxx2057]

spot on. gives me goosebumps. thank you!

[@antifazisbonifaz6964]

I agree with all but his critique of the luddites. The fight of the luddites was a good fight. A fight for the working class. They weren't wrong in destroying the machines at all. Another thing is attacking other people. Attacking another people. That yes, is a stupid thing to do. With people you can and should unite and fight toghether

[@antifazisbonifaz6964]

@@user-mm8vw1ow1x Yeah, a disgraced reallity. But it shouldn't happen between the working class.

[@antifazisbonifaz6964]

@@user-mm8vw1ow1x 😁😁 🎯🎯 spot on. The crooked human nature it's really hard to "uncrook" a real pity 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️👍👍

[@GalacticNovaOverlord]

Never destroy the machines unless it is war- control them, or more machines will come and they will be vanquished. The Luddities were idiotic desperate maniacs at worst or short sighted at best.

[@antifazisbonifaz6964]

@@GalacticNovaOverlord yeah when robots begin hunting all humans it will be very good times. At least all humans in the end brothers and allies. It will be a new dawn for humankind. But i expect that the robots at least hunt you before we destroy them 😅😂😂 (A little bit of kidding) Machines will be predators of humans besides of his competitors. So the luddites in a way were visionaries. But yes in the end the robotic machine hunting us will erase all stupid divisions of race, creed or pollitical affiliation (no hay mal que por bien ni venga says a very old saying of my country)

[@fellsmoke]

Many independent local media outlets instead of our monopoly media...a political system in which individual voices mattered and corporate/ plutocratic voices were not allowed to silence all others...are absolute changes needed to create a democracy of and for it's flesh and blood

[@duke01261]

What a masterclass on dialectical materialism.

[@RiyazGuerra]

Great show Prof Wolff, though I was kind of hoping that a new definition of work be given. Capitalists have reduced work to a precarious endeavor. Labor is an inconvenient necessity. Capitalists forever seek to reduce labor costs through automation and outsourcing. There will come a time when automation will be so advanced and production will be so efficient large majorities of the population will be unable to find jobs in retail, manufacturing, construction and leisure and hospitality services. What will happen to the society when close to half of the current jobs are gone? No, at some point the definition of work must change. It will not be the means by which we sell our labor to the capitalists, it will be a necessary activity we must all engage in so as to feel we have purpose and are productive. Ideally most work should be geared towards the betterment of society, whether that is caregiver tending to a disabled person, the artist inspiring and entertaining, or the researcher looking to cure illness, repair environmental damage or help us better understand our universe. Governments of the future must decide whether they will provide opportunities for their citizens in the wake of capitalist neglect and ambivalence, and if they don't, I can only see us far worse off in the future.

[@TheAmericanAmerican]

What you just described is what those in astrobiology/sci-fi/futurists call a Great Filter. What this means is that for any and every intelligent species in the universe, there are multiple difficult events/moments in their civilization's history where they either survive and continue to progress, or they fail and thus parish forever... I like to believe that capitalism is our species current Great Filter. We will either learn to institute a newer, better economically system that puts the environment first and humanity second, or we will crash and burn into a global dark age and lose almost everything that we've learned in the last 3000 years... that's IF we literally survive the climate change apocalypse... We are indeed living through interesting times!

[@jacpratt8608]

quite right. we'll have to bribe the idiots somehow. pack all the mining munition fossil CEOs into super luxurious spacious spacecraft. a one way ticket.

[@TennesseeJed]

Trickle down is feudalism by another name.

[@wayne00k]

And now, with laws being passed making it illegal for women (and girls) to leave a state while pregnant - we have people tied to the land like peasants.

[@bluewater454]

What is “trickle down”?

[@garygraham2513]

True. There's a reason the poor were referred to as pee-ons.

[@TennesseeJed]

@@bluewater454 neoliberalism, the idea that by giving the already wealthy owners of the means of production subsidies and tax breaks that it would "trickle down" to the working class. Envisioned by Milton Freedman and promoted by Reagan and Thatcher in the early 1980's it has proven itself a failure, but since the legislative government has been captured by the beneficiaries it is proving difficult to extinguish.

[@TennesseeJed]

@@garygraham2513 haw!

[@toniheikkila5607]

Right to the core issue: Despite all the rosy talk and flashy bling, the main objective of capitalists has always been using peoples desperation and plight to increase their own profits and money bags. More poverty, hunger, war, fear, unemployed, the better for the capitalists.

[@daniellarson3068]

Capitalists provide a good or service that people often have a choice of whether to use it or not. The only way they can make their money is if people use their products. Most certainly they are looking out for number one. They have little incentive to care about extraneous matters other than their "core" business. The cheaper they can provide the good or service, the better lives they will have.

[@corujariousa]

The fact public education has gone down the drain over the years and that the Media Outlets belong to groups that profit from the system as is, helps explain why ignorance and radicalism are rampant. It is mind boggling that so many are incapable of making simple obversions of cause-effect and millions even refuse to accept truths put in front of them because it makes them uncomfortable. I hope to see a change for the best in my lifetime.

[@007kingifrit]

a 2018 study by the bank of england found that for every 10% increase to immigration there is a 2% drop in wages, in the 70s the head of the DNC put out a book called "brown is the new white" where he advocated not for winning over american voters, but replacing them with immigration.....this isn't a theory, it's true the ignorance is people who trust the establishment....people like you

[@fulanodetal9994]

Bravo Prof, you tell them!

[@tjm0746]

Another very informative video from professor Wolf. Id love to see you on more mainstream media outlets. I’d love to see you debate some of those meat heads on Fox.

[@md.muzahidulislamsamrat8037]

Even Golda Meir drew a comparison between the Jewish experience in Europe in the 1930s and 40s and the Nakba when she said: “next to the port I found children, women, the old, waiting for a way to leave. I entered the houses, there were houses where the coffee and pita bread were left on the table, and I could not avoid [thinking] that this, indeed, had been the picture in many Jewish towns.”

[@jacpratt8608]

He says "a systematic alternative explanation" is what we need. He is so right and he & d@w have done great the last 10 years trying to work that out, and its a privilege to be here, like at the making and remaking of history. Its a hard climb and the mountain gets so steep it appears more like a cliff with an overhang at the top. But you don't go back, you only need one to find a way up and throw down the ropes.😅

[@DanA-nl5uo]

We need rank choice voting to end the duopoly. It is working in Australia to take power from the establishment parties.

[@daniellarson3068]

While you are at it, lets fix the health care thing. I bet that is also done better in Australia.

[@DanA-nl5uo]

@@daniellarson3068 I am pretty sure you need to fix who is in government before you can get Medicare for all passed.

[@daniellarson3068]

@@DanA-nl5uo I think fixing US health care could go hand in hand with fixing government. I think if more people knew how US health care sucked the way it does, then they would be inclined to vote. They would be inclined to vote for people who would fix the issue. Rascals who don't belong in office would be gone. The first step is to educate the people about health care. As the good professor says, a coalition of like minded individuals would go a long way to righting many ills of today.

[@DanA-nl5uo]

@@daniellarson3068 the fact that Bernie Sanders never became the nominee is proof we need to fix the voting system first. The duopoly will make sure they control who you can vote for so long as they can limit ballot access. See what the Democratic party just did in NC to keep the green party off the ballot

[@daniellarson3068]

@@DanA-nl5uo Here's what I read was done improperly: The same handwriting throughout a petition page and/or signatures that clearly appear to be written by the same person. It is illegal to sign the name of another person to a petition. Three signature-gathering contractors hired for this petition collected 1,472 signatures, but only 624 were accepted. At least three workers were paid by the signature collected. Voters apparently signed petitions more than once, according to the NCSBOE. Voters whose names appear on the signature sheets claim they never signed the petition. Petition sheets include deceased voters or voters long-removed from the voter registration files, indicating submission of signature sheets from a past Green Party petition drive. Signature pages identify a long-ago Green Party chair, also indicating submission of outdated signatures. If the people knew 1) that the health care in US is fouled up. 2) The Green party would fix it then there would have been beau coup valid signatures. Thanks for responding.

[@CB13212]

Just for everyone if it’s on KZbin it’s not the truth this ain’t the truth about the subject obviously

[@howardmanski6306]

Very excellent explanation, I'm trying to not be silent anymore.

[@pabloseykata6930]

I can recall an article I read in The wall Street Journal. It was the story of a Middle Manager at a Fortune 500 company. This Middle Manager was given the task of taking over a Division in the Company and determining if there was room for headcount reduction. This Middle Manager did as he was asked. One of his recommendations was that HIS job could safely be eliminated. So this Fortune 500 company did so. Now here's the interesting part. This Manager had his job eliminated, but the Company had a big surprise for him., He was out of a job, PERIOD. This Middle Manager thought he was a good little boy doing the job he was asked. The Manager thought he would slide into a new job with the Company. WRONG!! They showed him The Door. Middle Managers can't seem to figure out that if headcount of lower level employees disappears, the need for Middle Managers disappears too!

[@humboldthammer]

Dang! I was the guy who suggested we make smaller candy bars -- guess that's why I got the Big Bucks.

[@HerrFrankenstein]

I was visiting a textile mill during the 80's... They had an edge... A secret process... A step above the competition... The workers protected that process, knowing it was vital to keep that mill competitive... Working hard for success in a sleepy southern town... Long story short, plant is still there, work is not... They were able to guard their process secrets from all of America, but had no natural defense against foreign acquisition...

[@janosmarothy5409]

This... Sounds.... Like... Bullshit...And... Didn't... Happen....

[@aprisia]

Processes can be patented. Why didn't they just do that? Why bother with such a stupid method that does not allow easy legal recourse if it fails to protect your secrets?

[@janosmarothy5409]

@@aprisia Lol you're giving it way too much credit, it's made up nonsense that stylistically reads like one of those corny old "Marine vet stands up to liberal atheist college prof" chain emails from the Bush II years. The story gets less and less plausible with each badly used ellipsis.

[@schen7913]

He's saying the company itself was bought, along with the process.

[@tracyday6710]

Bullshit. MF&H Textiles only hired black men fresh out of prison and exposed them to "trade secrets" daily. Bet it still is.

[@dotsdot5608]

not a theory. it's a fact!

[@JamieNixx]

Thank you professor. Great message today. ✊

[@dr.detroit1514]

There was a seminal event in history that helped lead to where we are today. First, Roosevelt appointed Capitalists, business and industrial leaders into positions of power to run important parts of the government. He needed them for their expertise to run material production and acquisition for World War II. He didn't trust the Capitalists though, and intended to kick them all out after the War. Roosevelt died before the war was over. Truman was a small businessman who adored the big industrialists, he let them stay. That caused the permanent joining of business and government power, writing laws in its favor, killing laws that aren't, resulting in big corporate business basically being the government. And, as was made famous by Eisenhower's warning on the Military Industrial Complex, ever increasing it's control, power and influence, both sought and unsought, on how this country runs to this day.

[@AprilWatters]

Why can't we just make HEALTH AND NATURE the priority? The way people love sports. We don't say athletes who miss the goal are exceptional and give them the trophies. So WHY do it with Companies? Banksters? They who miss the mark completely get "rewarded. Thats ill. $ should be aligned With that. When its at its expense, its not rocket science the $ and those controlling it is Illegitimate!

[@dogh2o921]

If "open markets" lived up to their name, it would embrace open knowledge and open democracy which would then lead to the downfall of open markets as it is currently known. If ever you see a contradiction floating around an economic issue, it will be this irreconcilable logic baked into free markets and capitalism. "Freedom isn't free" they say which is like letting a man out of prison but making sure he has a ball and chain around his leg. If good capitalist logic was to close an American factory and move it to another country to increase profit, their argument regarding local replacement of US workers by foreigners is hollow and meaningless. In other words, capitalists don't give AF who works in their shops and to claim whites are being shut out begs the question of why they moved the factories abroad to begin with. Wasn't moving the factories to China or elsewhere a great replacement? I'm inclined to think that the sole reason this is an issue domestically is because the white shop owners don't want white workers confronting them in public with pitchforks and torches. It's not good optics. It's vanity and it comes with a cost.

[@ExPwner]

Open markets have nothing to do with democracy. You’re inserting your own feelings.

[@jrhoads4849]

​@@ExPwner Open markets imply free will and voluntary choice on behalf of both the buyer and seller. When it comes to the open market of knowledge (i.e. being taught knowledge in school or experience), we call this being an expert, wise, learned and comes via "school of thought" - school. "Open Knowledge", is basically another term for "school" since the idea was to teach ourselves and our kids how things really work and to question anything that looks suspicious relative what we've been taught. When it comes to the open market of knowledge, we cherry pick this sound idea and discard the other and we do this through either a personal decision process based on our experience and schooling or use democracy in a group context. Democracy doesn't imply everyone is on the same philosophical page or has the same experience but is the collective version of the personal decisions we make individually. If we question our own decisions, it means we don't know enough (confusion). If the group, as expressed by any one constituency, questions any particular data point and of which has no logical place in their "school" (i.e. science), it will be shown as a lesson to the others that are a little behind. Democracy is less about making decisions and more about finding out who knows what and whether or not they can show good proof that knowledge is useful to us and our so-called "issues". Does it solve the problem? We ask. Do we even know there is a problem? So, as to your comment, "open markets" when extended to knowledge and not just Cheerios, we will ask "why people do what they do"? Is "risk" necessary for "growth"? "Why are people dishonest"? "If we are a family of 4, how many eggs do we need per month/year on average"? "Is scarcity a myth"? Now, triage all this down, ask the right questions and leave nothing to chance. "Open Markets" is indeed a myth because it plays the scarcity game when there is none, cons people into thinking we have the freedom of choice as a result of competing when that choice is riddled with vanity, secrecy and coercion. In fact, if you chose not to compete as a result of a class your were taking, what would the wife say when the rent goes delinquent? Got guilt? Have at it man, I'll pass.

[@GalacticNovaOverlord]

@@ExPwner Do you have a mental deficiency? Why do you spout such primitive dogma? Why do you want humanity to perish?

[@ExPwner]

@@jrhoads4849 word salad.

[@easytoassemble54321]

A sensible, economic, left-centred discussion on immigration is long overdue. Our refusal to discuss it has allowed the Right to turn it into a toxic cultural argument. But it was always an economic discussion, with business owners creating a wage-war between established citizens, and the new arrivals (who ask less questions and are often desperate enough to work for the bare minimum). I despair at my left-liberal circles who refuse to discuss this for fear of appearing "xenophobic", because it was never even about cultural intolerance. Rather, it should always have been an economic argument about refusing to be put into a bidding war for decreasing wages and opportunities. I should not have to fight tooth and nail in a rat race, simply to be employed in the country I grew up in. It certainly did take a while for workers to finally get a good deal. It took centuries of exploitation, and the two world wars was the final act where governments and companies finally had no choice but to offer something for workers to aspire to. A New Deal. It's my grave worry that it will take more extended suffering and global war before we see good jobs and good wages return again. I can't see what other incentive the monopolistic parasite internationalists will have to offer workers a better deal.

[@007kingifrit]

the right didn't "turn it into" anything, the media called the right racist to mainpulate the left away from sensible reductions in immigration

[@kreyvegas1]

Richard, you are a beacon of light in this maze of lies we're all living in !!

[@RobotTed]

Intel recently started selling their new graphics processing unit (GPU) in China first. This is a crucial piece of tech for AI and cryptocurrencies, as well as video games (an industry larger than film!). This is one example of Capitalism reinforcing itself in one place, at the detriment of another. Indeed, the many millions of Chinese people are a larger market than the North American one, so the incentive is to sell there first. The market has spoken, and China is the winner. I expect the rhetoric of Politicians to become even more vitriolic and insane, as they continue to support that which keeps them in power, but also destroys their base. An example is the creation of semiconductor factories in deserts, while the process requires a lot of water. Insanity, but such are the subsidies being placed... The more fundamental thing than money is energy. No juice = no economy. And we're seeing the last hurrah of the petro-states as solar power continues to rise. They've peaked, and are now trying to squeeze the last of the lemon juice out. And the endless oil wars will come to an end... altho Lithium will likely take its place. New methods of production mean new social relations. And here again, China is in the lead, thanks to subsidized industry. A gamble, but it worked. Another reason for politicians and the populace to go crazy. All the money sunk into petrochemicals, not to mention military adventures, will be lost. Rather than contest the USA for control of the Oil trade, China went green. China is now the main trading partner for almost all countries in the world. So... what is to be done? Personally, I've found the Buddha's realization that politics doesn't help things, to be true. I've begun meditating everyday. It's good to nurture the emotions that the left is built on, compassion and solidarity. China is winning the Capitalist race non-violently. There are no Chinese warships in the gulf of Mexico or off the coast of California, unlike the South China sea and its American warships! We're all alive, we should all be friends. Should the political project be abandoned? Well, I'm posting a tiny comment in a sea of commentary, so it seems not! This comment is mainly to encourage Prof Wolff and friends! They've put the finger on the problem : the mercenary CEO kings and their share holder nobility. And also to warn : the solar power and AI revolutions are going to make things go crazy. What will people do when an AI system does their work for a few pennies of electricity? What will the military do when the oil routes are pointless? Those guys aren't from Star Trek! They won't be content defending cheese and wine routes. And so, I think meditation should among the goals of the Left, to counter the growing madness. Marxists and Anarchists could both agree to focus on Loving-kindness during the first moments of their meet ups, rather than focus on hating the Capitalists. Indeed, Bertrand Russell said that what doomed the socialist project was that Marx hated the Bourgeoisie more than he loved the Proletariat. We should not repeat the same mistakes. But of course, pointing out the insanity of Capitalism is still a must : the same people who decide prices decide our wages, as Eugene Debs pointed out! Anyway, I love this show and I'm glad I bought the books! Keep going!

[@GalacticNovaOverlord]

Russel brand lmao

[@RobotTed]

@@GalacticNovaOverlord Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. :)

[@GalacticNovaOverlord]

@@RobotTed Uh, nerves and neurons exist lol

[@RobotTed]

@@GalacticNovaOverlord I should start wearing a helmet when surfing the net then.

[@itssanti]

The latin america part. You got it twisted, no country offered its workforce to US corporations, in fact latin america suffered a series of bloody coups, all of them orchestrated by the US. What happened was that in the midst of the dismantling of Breton Woods Latin american countries saw a increase in debt aquired illegally by illegitimate military juntas in orther to provide liquidity for US corporations to exploit these markets. There were no relocation of industries from the US to Latin America at all, this movement of capital was designed to take over domestic markets often buying out the local competition, that tipicaly opperated with the local cureency, in fact far from lifting people out of poverty, this "investment" threw even more people into poverty. The case of Asia was and is notoriously different because the investments were in fact relocation of industial capacity but designed to supply US and erupean markets. I am astonished that you got this so wrong.

[@jacpratt8608]

Interesting. How does it, work taking over local industries or commerce so that there are less jobs and more expensive prices on what people previously bought from locally owned businesses? What am I missing?

[@itssanti]

@@jacpratt8608 IMF "loans"

[@itssanti]

@@jacpratt8608 There was no explicit intention in getting rid of jobs, yet the technocrats that implemented this policies clearly knew this would be a major consequence of putting local consumer goods production in the hands of multinational corporations. The principles are very simple and have to do with the expansion of transnational corporations. Funny name isn't it given the fact that they are based mostly in the US, Europe and Japan. It is basically a huge, thuggish scam desinged to force countries with huge natural resources to transform their economies into extractivist economies to supply the indutrialized countries with raw materials in ordeer to obtain currency reserves, tipically US dollars for the multinationals based in said countries to repatriate their profits to the financial centers of the wolrd. It started in the 70's but took full force in the late 80's early 90's with the fall of the USSR and the full implementation of the Washington Consensus.

[@itssanti]

@@jacpratt8608 What did they buy from local producers? Mostly consumer goods, thing that are sold in huge numbers like food, beverages but also more industrialized product like home appliances, construction materials. Some industries in some countries were in state hands, like metal, railway transportationd, airlines, oil...Then a wave of privazition came along in the 90's that further strained the economy and resulted in millions of jobs being lost, those jobs were never recovered, plus entire towns were destroyed, huge internal migrations took place packing the slums...I could go in forever, really.

[@brucemarmy8500]

The first union job I was on was in the mid nineties. Back then the old timers tried to warn the newbies "Don't get out past your skies. The work can disappear as quickly as it appeared. Why should you make yourself into a wage slave unable to even defend your contracted wage scale? Necessitous men are not free."

[@007kingifrit]

a 2018 study by the bank of england found that for every 10% increase to immigration there is a 2% drop in wages,

[@brucemarmy8500]

@@007kingifrit Sounds like a declining economy that has no growth, but that it is at the expense of them whose back is bent most. Sunset of the west. Goodnight, empire. Hello new overlords (deep bow)

[@007kingifrit]

@@brucemarmy8500 you have it backwards, as the world becomes poorer the americans will maintain global reach.....but not global needs as all the factories return home to avoid conflict. America will get richer, everyone else can stuff it.

[@susanperrotte4814]

You mention low wage immigrants brought in , what about higher wage workers brought in such as doctors, nurses, tech industries. Churches, associations and corporations would rather invest in this than in US education and training.

[@lawrencejohnson3259]

Excellent analysis and summation.

[@PunkrockNoir-ss2pq]

oy vey!

[@bYtealiEnSzen]

I am enraged. I am enraged about the stupidity, the blindness, the greed, the hypocrisy, the injustice. I've been in the process of waking up and I am furious.

[@LeylandKing7659]

Thank you for your presentation. Some people would not read. Just find a scapegoat and the situation disappears.

[@deussivenatura5805]

The Great Replacement is real, look at the native population.

[@117Industries]

There were indeed mistakes made against the natives. Some of these mistakes can not be compensated for. But not every settlement was aggressive to natives. And most of the aggression was in fact the act of the nobles and military parties who followed suit.

[@elland.miller5156]

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[@elland.miller5156]

[@donnashaffer7548]

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[@safefomo]

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[@cherie9105]

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[@isabelrabago1386]

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[@wbtim3]

Replacement theory was also used to describe the concern of white Americans when slaves were emancipated. There was a great concern over the influx of laborers who had until that time provided free labor on the plantations and farms of the South. This continues to be an issue among white nationalists. Of course, the elite promote this in an effort to separate working class folks and confuse them. The issue then changes from profit vs cost of labor into which subgroup of laborers ought to get jobs. Interfering with the natural unity of the working class into segregated interests tends to dissipate their strength.

[@philfortner1805]

Agreed! This is fully described in the book 'The price of tomorrow' by Jeff Booth.

[@scowlistic]

Amazing breakdown, thank you Professor Wolff.

[@jgalt308]

Yes, it IS truly amazing..but then most fairy tales are.

[@andre1987eph]

The gaslighting in this video is colossal

[@darrenquiah9813]

Stop being a victim and take responsibility for your life your not being uniquely targeted

[@carmenlajoie2719]

Started following Cyrus Janssen & iEarlgrey, to see what China & Russia are providing worker's. Really interesting, thank you Prof Wolff.

[@jabo5894]

During Vietnam war we called them capitalist pigs probably because of their excessive gluttony.

[@lenr7068]

It's the boomers and their need for high asset prices to fund retirement plans. Now we have ESG to keep those asset prices up. Your generation has brought this is situation in to play.

[@woodytobiasjr8265]

So, the blue haired, transgender, face tattooed freaks of your generation are any different?

[@lenr7068]

@Account NumberEight It's a fact. High asset prices are needed to meet the needs of the retirement class. And companies will have to cut costs and charge more to maintain those asset prices. Dividends and growth are more important.

[@arjungupta-inventor-iaq]

Immigration helps us import the best intellectual and hard-working talent from around the world! US is this utopia where people want to be and that's an advantage we in US need to keep capitalizing on. If not US, other countries will import the engineers, the economists and so many others brain-work employees. Which would be loss of competitive advantage for the country! Outsourcing enriches other countries, immigration helps US! Outsourcing needs to stop.

[@ProleDaddy]

The bourgeois US.

[@heikkijantti9497]

"Immigration helps US". Perhaps, but there are severe problems. I live in Finland and I know many Finnish top level researchers who have worked/studied in US. They would NEVER think of living in US because of the toxic societal atmosphere. And I know several American young people who have immigrated in Finland and founded a family and they swear NEVER go back...

[@arjungupta-inventor-iaq]

@@heikkijantti9497 The US is by no means perfect! No country is. People trade one thing for the other when moving countries! My point was not whether the US is better than Finland. My point was strategic immigration policies help a country get people to fill skill gaps. This very much helps the country grow! Outsourcing, mostly, drains the capital and gives it to another country. But I agree most countries are turning to religious and political extremism. I hope this reduces in the future and we come back to being kind to each other.

[@ProleDaddy]

@@arjungupta-inventor-iaq What's extreme is accepting the theft of one's labor value and submitting control of one's self to capitalists as normal.

[@arjungupta-inventor-iaq]

@@ProleDaddy That's a different point then what I am making though. We all crave freedom but the world has always been supply and demand. Nature is supply and demand. Being able to live on a farm or on a hill and live off the land would be amazing but we want our netflix, youtube, lazyboy, etc etc and that's a consumption driven capitalist economy!

[@wlf9108]

Packed a punch this week.

[@jgalt308]

Definitely a "sucker punch" or a punch for suckers...take your pick.

[@wlf9108]

@@jgalt308 bot capitalist.

[@brennagarten317]

thanks for your topic this week: well said