Economic Update: Why The US Constitution Is An Obstacle To Change

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[S13 E13] Why The US Constitution Is An Obstacle To Change
In this week’s Economic Update, Prof. Wolff presents updates on the US banking crisis, plant closing injustice, growing child labor in the US, Biden's budget's tax "proposals," and a new book that shows US homelessness is an economic problem. In the second half of the show, Wolff interviews Prof. Robert Ovetz on how and why the US Constitution blocks social change.
Timestamps:
00:00 - 01:06 - Intro
01:07 - 05:06 - US banking crisis
05:07 - 08:30 - Plant (Pactiv Evergreen’s PaperMill) suddenly shut in Canton, NC:
08:31 - 09:38 - Illegal child labor employment
09:39 - 12:25 - Biden's budget's tax "proposals"
12:26 - 14:40 - Homelessness
14:41 - 15:43 - Announcements
15:44 - 29:35 - Interview with Robert Ovetz
Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a @democracyatwrk production. We make it a point to provide the show free of ads. Please consider supporting our work. Join our Patreon community: / democracyatwork and help us spread Prof. Wolff's message to a larger audience. Every donation counts!
A special thank you to our devoted donor community whose contributions make this show possible each week.
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About our Guest: Robert Ovetz, Ph.D. is a Senior Lecturer in Political Science and teaches labor relations and non-profit management in the Master of Public Administration program at San José State University. He is also a lecturer in Sociology at UC Berkeley. Robert worked in the Texas state legislature and on international ocean conservation policy in the NGO sector for many years.
Robert is the author of the new book We the Elites: Why the US Constitution Serves the Few, a class analysis of the US Constitution, (Pluto Press, 2022), editor of Workers' Inquiry and Global Class Struggle: Strategies, Tactics, Objectives (Pluto Press, 2020), and author of When Workers Shot Back: Class Conflict from 1877 to 1921 (Brill 2018/Haymarket Press 2019). He is also an Associate Editor and contributor to The Routledge Handbook of the Gig Economy, edited by Immanuel Ness (Routledge, 2022).
Robert is also the Book Review Editor for the Journal of Labor and Society and a labor writer for the magazines Dollars & Sense and The Chief.
Links: sjsu.academia.edu/RobertOvetz... @OvetzRobert
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Check out the 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.democracyatwork.info/books
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SOURCES FOR SHOW SEGMENTS:
1. Plant (Pactiv Evergreen’s PaperMill) suddenly shut in Canton, NC:
a.wlos.com/news/local/union-lea...
b. wlos.com/news/local/canton-ma...
2. Illegal child labor employment:
a. www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases...
b. www.levernews.com/email/24eea...
3. Homelessness is a Housing Problem: homelessnesshousingproblem.co...

[@theageofgoddess]

Thank you so much Prof Wolf, it's so comforting to have someone so intelligent speak up for those of us who are seriously struggling and are blamed for the circumstances that are beyond our control. This country makes me sick. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@MikBak1814]

Well said! Someone trained by the elites at Harvard, Stanford and Yale truly speaking up for the working classes. Imagine that! I have absolutely zero question, if Richard Wolff were head of economics for the next administration we'd be well on the way to a transformation that would improve the lives of 320-million Americans.

[@_audacity2722]

​@@MikBak1814 he also teaches classes for prisons to give the incarcerated an opportunity to educate themselves.

[@MikBak1814]

@@_audacity2722 What, exactly, is your point with this comment? I'm totally lost. I have zero criticism for Wolff. None. Did I miss something?

[@_audacity2722]

@@MikBak1814 Sorry... I misread the tone of your comment and got defensive

[@locly4692]

if this country make you sick? move!

[@jackmeehof2440]

I wish there were more podcasts like this. No gossip no nonsense no propaganda no religious or “patriotic” bullsh* just facts and truth.

[@rogersmith7396]

If you don't have a bumper sticker you ain't a "patriot".

[@rogersmith7396]

@YTCensors Well I thought that measured paranoia.

[@johnnykickass620]

Jack Me Off: "I wish there were more podcasts like this." Recommended podcasts: Citations Needed with Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson; Revolutionary Left Radio; Marxist Voice; Red Menace; David Harvey's Anti-Capitalist Chronicles; Guerrilla History

[@James-os9ku]

I recently read 'We The Elites 'by Robert Ovetz because of a recommendation by Prof Wolff from this channel. It's actually a pretty good book written in language which everyone can understand. The historical context is of imperative importance to understand what the U.S. political economy actually is.

[@Who_Let_The_Dogs_Out_10-7]

I find this guy pretty difficult to listen to. So maybe I'll get his book and read it at my own pace. I usually understand Prof. Wolff quite well, so thank you for relaying info about this guy's writing style!

[@Marxist2]

Prof. Wolff, thank you for spreading so much knowledge & information on issues that are important to all of us; housing, homelessness, our economy & income.

[@yukonnoka]

So true about homelessness. Wealthy people have all of the same problems with mental illness and substance abuse. They simply have the resources available to address their problems. Poor people don’t have that luxury, and their problems are made even worse due to endless harassment from the suburban communities surrounding them, via police and churches, etc.

[@ryanosterman2651]

One of the first things my history professor taught me was that America was founded for bourgeois interests rather than everyone.

[@benjaminhenderson5025]

He was right

[@treefrog3349]

I wish I had been taught that! For about 50 of my 74 years I believed otherwise. I drank the patriotic "koolaid" because it seemed to make good "democratic" sense!

[@pipster1891]

He wouldn't be a professor now.

[@ryanosterman2651]

@@pipster1891 I graduated with a history degree recently and it’s very widely recognized that America was founded in order to serve the interests of the capitalist class.

[@blogintonblakley2708]

@@ryanosterman2651 Yup this whole shooting match was intended to be a stable platform the conducting of business. Can't say it's turned out too well... greedy people don't make good citizens.

[@briobarb8525]

Wow...did I just learn a lot from this conversation...which truthfully I am embarrassed to admit I didn't already know. Thank you again, Richard Wolff, whom I have admirred for a long time from afar, and to Robert Ovetz whom I have just been introduced to today. Tremendous admiration to you both! Thank you!!!

[@lonestarindie]

Excellent interview, I am a great fan of Gore Vidal, he always said this country was founded by rich white wealthy men, FOR rich white wealthy men, the country they wanted was a nirvana for the small percentage of the wealthy, it was never built for us

[@rogersmith7396]

They just needed average Joes to overthrow the Monarchy so they could make even more money.

[@trtnec]

​@@TheBigGSN5 A basic study of history shows it was 100% founded for rich, white, wealthy men... whether or not you think that's the issue today.

[@MikBak1814]

@@trtnec You are right, but indeed it is not the issue today and focusing on it further delays progress. I'm hoping that was @TheBigGSN5's point.

[@cheri238]

Gore Vidal's books and debates are legendary. 🦋

[@user-lt1xm4vv1q]

END OF THE DOLLAR? Or what awaits those at the bottom of the banking pyramids. This is an analytical article from Asian and Arab analytical services. At the state level, analysts from different countries recommend getting rid of assets in dollars, but what? And why? April 2023 will decide the fate of the dollar and banks in the US, you have a maximum week left. The dollar-based banking system is starting to crumble, with major US banks failing this month, and a number of banks in Europe, as well as dozens of smaller banks in the US, were clearly in trouble. Since the US dollar is not backed by anything (not backed by a gold guarantor), it is not protected by anything other than verbal guarantees from the US government and the Federal Reserve System. 1) And what does it lead to? - most US banks are a pyramid that rests on the money of depositors, in the event of a bank failure, only those who insure deposits will receive money (and it’s not a fact if the government pays this money, but this is also a problem) and those who withdraw first until the cash runs out or they will give the go-ahead to transfer to another bank (but there is a percentage for the transfer) Read what a financial pyramid is and the collapse of a financial pyramid. 2) Guaranteeing the issuance of deposits and keeping the state of banks from bankruptcy - turning on the printing press (injecting cash) If the state asks the federal reserve system to turn on the press to print more billions to guarantee the return of deposits and maintain the stability of the bank, then the public debt of US residents will increase or be inflation of the dollar, which means a decrease in the purchasing power for this money, for example, those goods that cost $ 100 will cost 200 or even 1000. 3) Why world banks are collapsing along with US banks - because they are tied to the dollar, this is the euro, this is the British pound, the Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar. They are all tied to the value of dollars, and that is, if the US financial system collapses, then these countries are pulled along. What to do? - 1) withdraw money first until deposits are frozen, because in this financial pyramid the amount of money is limited and not enough for everyone, because deposits are used and gradually spent by banks, and when the constant influx of new money ends, there will be a shortage of funds in the bank. The top of the bank (the pyramids will never wait and take risks, they will be the first to take their money from the bank as soon as they realize that the bank is collapsing), those who have insured their money with the state can give the money or can not compensate for the full amount of the connection with various excuses. What is the result? - those who managed to stay with the money, those who did not have time to withdraw money will lose their deposits (as Biden said - deposits are always risks, sometimes you earn on them, sometimes you lose) and the bank will become bankrupt. -2) wait for it to print money and pour billions into the bank. Yes, it is possible, but not certain. What is the result? - an increase in the public debt of citizens and inflation of the dollar is possible (after all, printing billions of unsecured pieces of paper will lead to a cheaper dollar, you can see for yourself that the purchasing power of a certain amount decreases every time a new batch of dollars is printed). - but there is a high probability that you will not wait and then you will lose deposits. -3) to do nothing and not to worry - happiness is not in money (well, you will lose your deposits, but inflation will be a little later) Well, what can I say - not long left, some analysts say - that in the first days of April a serious recession will begin in the US financial system. Some believe that from mid-April. But everyone agrees that it is necessary to get rid of the dollar, since soon its value will be cheaper than the paper on which it is printed. It is better to buy precious metals or appliances, electronics and real estate. Popcorn bought and looking forward to))!!

[@boombot934]

Education is essential! We need volunteer education🎓 specialists to enlighten the masses😊

[@jordankimball2104]

Volunteer education. Huh. The entire democratic takeover of education has ruined the entire idea.

[@benjaminhenderson5025]

@@jordankimball2104 yah, how dare they teach that blacks are humans too.

[@blogintonblakley2708]

@@jordankimball2104 Democratic takeover? People always joining the show at the intermission.

[@thalesnemo2841]

@@jordankimball2104 Not democratic but FOR PROFIT ! See that people are leaving education and the colleges of education are 1/2 of their capacity!

[@cheri238]

Our colleges have been corrupted at our elite colleges ans others from their bounties of foundations contributing with money to keep the staus quo.

[@cheri238]

Thank you Professor Wolff for having Robert Ovtitz on with his critiques on our framers of the Constitution from the beginning and how it was set up. Articulate insights Mr. Ovitz has given. Thank you both.

[@patriayvida6850]

The dollar store in my town has a big sign on the door that reads "We now hire 15 year olds." And I live in a plantation state, of course.

[@benjaminhenderson5025]

Murica!

[@jgalt308]

So much for lemonade stands, grass cutting, snow shoveling, and paper routes. Or golf caddying... At age 12, Edison's first job was selling newspapers, vegetables, snacks, and candy on the local railroad. He then decided to begin writing his very own newspaper called "The Weekly Herald", which he published and sold to passengers on the trains. It was the first ever newspaper to be printed and sold on a moving train. At age 14, he learned to be a telegraph operator. He was interested in the equipment he used in this job, and was always studying and experimenting ways to improve it. The experience he gained from this job lead him to produce his first patented invention in 1868. He subsequently quit telegraphy to become a full-time inventor.

[@benjaminhenderson5025]

@J GALT lol, of course you would use edison, the man who got rich not stealing other peoples work and not paying them for it. Its like they ordered an ignorant libertarian kit and you were what they built.

[@pdballerina]

What’s wrong with a 15 year old working ? I worked when I was 15 in the 70s.

[@wetrucken1689]

I have been following for many years now. Everything you have said professor has always has come to fruition!!!

[@audreydamron4689]

Very enlightening video, There’s this woman I got in touch with during the 2020 lockdown which cost me my job. Ms. Norman Davis helped me manage my assets by introducing my to the best trading platform and strategies, I earned a lot of $$$ working with Norman at the comfort of my home. I still keep in touch with the amazing lady

[@ashliesatwick5977]

I have a master in mathematical finance, so it wasn’t so easy to get me convinced to begin an investment without me carrying out proper research on her. I had her broker ID checked and she’s fully verified! So I began with a few bucks, only to get huge returns in a month. I reinvested and now I get long term monthly returns… So glad I don’t rely on pay checks anymore.

[@clintonoscar429]

Not a lot of people are aware of this new market, only a handful know how it works, I was fortunate to reach out to Ms. Davis the beginning of last year, she put me through the basics as a mentor would do, I learnt and earned massively from trading at the comfort of my home.

[@audreydamron4689]

< normandavis

[@margiehankins-jerde6094]

I am so impressed at the reality of what you are saying. I never looked at our constitution this way at all. You make so much sense. So much food for thought. The one thing I worked in was real-estate and property management. One of the best things I saw was rent control. It did help people be able to have a roof.

[@scwils8285]

Thanks for showing what you're teaching our kids. You make it sound so pretty.

[@Tommy6860]

Great idea at the end and I have thought that for decades. One of the premises within the US political parties is that private capital is to be left to those who are entrepreneurs, and not to go after the profit making. If businesses start being created under a democratic process brought on by the labor that produces the goods and services that creates those profits, the only response to stop would be outright fascism (we already operate under that in way already). They always talk about free enterprise, until that freedom goes from the few to the masses

[@Blackmallowtube]

There is no free enterprise in capitalism as companies seek to maximize profits by becoming a monopoly in its market. Buying the government is the first phase in maximizing profits by lowering taxes, watering down anti-trust laws and creating legislation (regulations) to bar entry into their particular market. The free market is a lie, just like supply-side economics.

[@MrLouladakis]

it was very enlightning!. l liked the way he explained things simple and clear!. great video dear prf i see subscribtions are going up that's great news for all of us!.

[@timmoore3188]

And then we have the "two" party system, which further restricts the possibility of substantive change.

[@sandrajones1609]

You 2 are my HEROES. Thank you for your time and knowledge and willingness to share with all! Much gratitude ❣️ Knowledge is power and information is exercise!!! Staying fit is fun

[@danielh.8033]

I have often joked to myself that a full blown revolution is the only way to get real change. But this man is serious and seeing all the pieces laid out so plainly is unnerving. Knowing that historically to see a revolution come full circle takes generations and a lot of death.

[@savxgestevenlestrom6164]

Take my hat off with the Professor and his guests to deliver this knowledge to all of us to be able to deal with our every day life . I’ll share it with my friends as soon they’re done . 👍🏻✌🏻🙏👏👋🏻😁❤️. How about hitting that 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻. . . . .

[@jgalt308]

What knowledge?

[@blogintonblakley2708]

@@jgalt308 A lot of dissident sites are being targeted by annoying bots... that is what this comment is. That would be the establishment trying to control the comment section. Kind of a spam attack.

[@jgalt308]

@@blogintonblakley2708 The comment is nonsensical...but then most comments are... as they are mostly #me too and aligned with the cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias of the site they are posted to.

[@benjaminhenderson5025]

@J GALT Did you go to lemming school, or did they just install your brain without any drivers or updates?

[@jgalt308]

WARNING!!!!!! we have heard from the "willfully ignorant, functionally illiterates" so described, who insisted on confirming the description, while having no relevant response or argument to what has been written. I believe the question was "what knowledge?" Guess no one can cite any...and this video has been completely "destroyed" elsewhere on this page.

[@Shining237]

Bless you Professor Wolff ❤️

[@boombot934]

Good morning🌞 everyone👍 friends!

[@davidluckens3479]

I'm old enough to remember the center/right JFK warning Americans ,presumably including his fellow upper crusties that "those who oppose non-violent revolution,make violent revolution "inevitable."I also recall Nixon's ironic "opening with China and a subsequent probative interview with its erudite foreign minister Cho en Lai .He was asked for his opinion of the Bourg or French Revolution,which ended Feudalism in that country.He replied cryptically,"its too soon to tell."

[@RayTech70]

Wow I am so glad to have found this channel: you are nailing it for me... good stuff!

[@forrestsansing7526]

I live in Canton, thank you so much for highlighting this story. I feel for my neighbors that work at the mill and have for many years. It is quite the strange situation, job hunter signs all over the roads. Who knows what will happen come June, when (allegedly) it will all come to an end.

[@cev12]

"Economic majority" is a good phrase. Waiting for a democratic uprising sounds hopeless though. Most Americans just can't be bothered; they've lulled us into complacency.

[@margiehankins-jerde6094]

You are so right. Our country could fix all these things but greed rules. Thanks for great information.

[@Marxist2]

Wow, great interview. Now I want to read this book by Ovetz

[@vineshnaidoo9402]

Baie dankie meneer..

[@breft3416]

Great stuff! Teaching the arithmetic of the situation is a lesson in itself.

[@jgalt308]

What arithmetic?

[@janelliot5643]

@@jgalt308 the champagne glass distribution of wealth, basically, and I'm not talking about but new fluted design of champagne glasses

[@janelliot5643]

@YTCensors why are you hostile and what makes you think you're so special? It's not over anyone's head

[@jgalt308]

@@janelliot5643 That would seem to be measured in unconstitutional "fiat dollars"... so the arithmetic becomes a problem...for the following reason. In 1968, there was ONE billionaire and it wasn't a U.S. one. Since then the price of gold has suffered 5000% inflation...so every billion is worth $200,000. in 68 dollars. The richest man at the moment is worth 168 billion...or in 68 dollars...33, 600,000. Howard Hughes has 350 million in 68...so the lesson of the arithmetic is... things are not what they seem...nor are they going to get any better. Michael Hudson has explained the history, sans the "unconstitutional part".

[@kiticanax1421]

Definitely will want to check this book out.

[@user-cd2ut4fx1m]

❤ this from we the elites!!

[@noheroespublishing1907]

Richard Wolff really should have on Christian Parenti to discuss his take on "Federalist Number Ten" he basically shows how, even pre-constitution, this is how the system is set up.

[@rogersmith7396]

Yanis Varifalkus will blow them away. Maybe Michael Hudson.

[@carolyn6780]

I saw him on Katie's channel too

[@laurieauld7687]

Great interview! ✊

[@JCloyd-ys1fm]

Going to have buy this book. Thanks…

[@mikerottier7131]

Rich people do not want change, unless it makes them richer.

[@davidb8126]

Thanks!

[@BriarLeaf00]

Companies who exploit children's labor should face immediate expropriation and it's leaders imprisoned for a minimum of 20 years.

[@justinmcneil659]

Agreed

[@syndicat4847]

Good interview

[@bozidarsicel3884]

This was brilliant, short but substantial, lecture of the hard truth about the fundamental causes of all troubles in this Country's history all the way to our very troubled times.

[@bernardheathaway9146]

Thanks DaWg!!

[@bostjanpalcic832]

Hvala.

[@MrLeooreo]

We love the truth

[@yttean98]

Very interesting Interview for a long time, in line with that what I was thinking all along. Most applicable to Democratic society Really you need a deep recession or indeed a Revolution to instigate massive changes or reforms in that society, So I surmise what Prof Wolff had been advocating on this channel will not happen unless the above occurs. Slow and steady reforms in this society will only get you that far, slow uneventful progress.

[@jamesrekula1841]

What makes your guest's third proposed solution particularly exciting is that we actually have the required technology to democratize the economy already, most of us in our pockets. I'd love to hear Prof. Wolf's thoughts on the potential intersection between a reddit-style direct democracy and cryptocurrency projects with a self-governance dimension.

[@ericpreston8877]

Take crypto and turn it into labor vouchers.

[@hydratanksamari]

Buying the book for sure. Near everything said I can agree with

[@michaelclark2357]

Adam Smith wrote Wealth of the Nations which states that the wealthy minority should be the responsible citizens of the nations merchants and land owners and the elite

[@gregorynuttall]

Such a great segment. I learned a lot. It reminded me of hearing about the Chileans who are in the process of entirely rewriting their constitution. I kind of hope we take that option and go beyond our constitution.

[@respectamerica2382]

And get shot!

[@lykaojalao2733]

I need to buy Prof Robert books

[@billfrenger8955]

Thank you Kim. The problem lies in the Constitution. Check out Professor Wolff's interview with Professor Orvitz on his latest Democracy At Work show.

[@johntravena119]

It would’ve been interesting to hear a little more about his solutions.

[@bradsclassictrucks2007]

Yes, the papermill in Canton NC is going to have far more effects than just the families of the workers getting laid off there, it goes deep into the surrounding counties and further, watch the video about it in here at Blue Ridge Rails, he di an outstanding piece on this.

[@scwils8285]

I live @ 40+ miles from Canton, NC. You pronounce it funny.

[@diamantinomachado1936]

Diamantino Machado I recomend a reading of Powell's Memorandum. And Elites is poor term. More accurate trerm is Ruling Capitalis Class.

[@Kuasarakyat2]

For homelessness issue... learn from Singapore & China.😊

[@user-pq1ik1vo1s]

We can understand the grammar of English to Richard Wolff English you tube video. Thank you very much

[@TheJagjr4450]

About the papermill in Canton, at one time part of Champion Pulp and Paper then Blue Ridge Paper Products and prior to closing my company in 2010 they paid us to make small rolls of paper (9" wide 50#) from larger rolls of paper (63.5" wide 4000#) for the fluted HOT DOG trays served at ballgames etc. The mill is quite old and given the packaging industry is VERY competitive, companies with limited product mixes and and whom lack vertical integration may not survive this slowdown. IIRC it was last going to be shuttered 10-15 years ago when the employees bought the company. Running a virgin papermill is a HUGE operation which is incredibly difficult to plan for long term, ESPECIALLY if you do not own the land from which the timber is harvested and are required to purchase pulp wood on the open market. Improper Commodity price increase clauses can financially break a company. One of their biggest products is poly coated milk/juice carton stock as well as poly coated paperboards for take out drink cups. The problem with this material (poly coated paper) is it costs about 50% more to manufacture and the value of "reject" material is 95% less than the same paper with no poly coating. Additionally there is only one place in the US which can remove the plastic from the paper so it can be recycled.

[@xqt39a]

Most everything said about the US Constitution in this video is true with no major exceptions. However, the US Constitution was not meant to be a democracy in the sense of majority rule or in the sense of "economic democracy". Indeed it was designed on purpose to make passage of new laws exceedingly difficult, and an amendment even more difficult than that. Why ?? The primary issue that the founders were grappling with was the tendency of the government to become authoritarian and dictatorial. The businesses and activities of the colonists had been severely hamstrung by the King and a passion arose among the colonists sufficient to risk their lives in revolution against the King. After this mortal battle, the last thing the "founding fathers" wanted was the constitution to lead to new tyranny -- whether that be tyranny by the chief executive or by the legislature or by the courts. With the immediate addition of first 10 amendments, the new republic became a bastion of personal and economic freedom for property owners and for the unprecedented agency of the individual (white) citizen. The freedom and agency afforded the American citizen enabled the USA to grow into the most inventive and prosperous nation on the Earth. By 1950, the USA had become an empire that virtually ruled the planet. Its unchecked power has enabled the USA to tyrannize the planet while singing the virtues of "freedom". It is immediately after WW2 that the USA became the victim of its own success. It is a law of world history that empires rise and invariably fall. As of today, the US empire is in its declining years - by 2030 it will be over and probably sooner. Jefferson in his lifetime understood revolution would become necessary again, there is no final solution for the contradiction between government and those being governed. The time for a new American revolution is here, BUT let's not throw the baby out with the bath water !! I cannot conceive that internal warfare can produce the needed revolution. The Civil War failed to bring African Americans out of slavery, instead slavery has taken on new forms possibly as pernicious to the human spirit as the traditional form. It is time for Americans to wake up to the changing world, to be aware of the rapidly rising BRICS nations that with its allies will represent 80% of the earth's population. We must wake up, get to work, and compete on the world stage like everyone else. White privilege is just about over my friends. ( 😭😭 ) .

[@user-wp8yx]

Does it make sense to lower taxes when the rich will just deduct it away leaving middle and lower-income people to pay the tax? Does it make more sense to remove deductions?

[@patzaw5677]

I asked chat GPT to “Discuss the statement that the USA is an anocracy.” And the answer is enlightening! According to Chat GPT, the USA is an Anocracy debunking USA claims that it is the greatest democracy since sliced bread and everyone should be converted to the US form of democracy.

[@davidabulafia7145]

Please explain a concrete way of solving this problem

[@P4DDYW4CK]

This interview just makes me thinks about how we need to be better about political reform. So many leftists eschew representative democracy but don’t seem to be working towards a workable alternative on a state level. I think we need to make every state legislature unicameral, have every tie decision decided by referendum, implement approval voting, and get rid of primaries.

[@libraryofalexander796]

We need to abolish the U.S. senate and downgrade states to provinces. States rights were a bad idea from the start. It sucks that there is no movement for a truly representative one person one vote democracy in this country. If you and I vote in a given election, our votes should count the same. If you and I have representation in a given body, we should have equal representation. Our constitution violates both of these principles but no one seems to care about that because we’ve been brainwashed by constitutional propaganda since elementary school. Conservatives cynically push it on us and centrist libs buy it hook line and sinker. They believe we live in an actual democracy. Meanwhile the radical left - to the extent it exists - are too far up their ass about being radical and wanting to “smash the state” that they won’t deign to advocate for an actual democracy.

[@fayadkhairallah2760]

Actually it turned out that the constit obstacle builders were standing on the other side already 😮

[@jayakumarkaarikuzhy4713]

If the rates of income tax and capital gains tax of the US, as you have highlighted as proposed by Biden ,then those rates will be higher than India's which your earlier President -Trump- had termed as the Maharajas of taxation! You have usurped India's place laughed at by Trump. Professor, your critiques are very illuminating .Thanks.

[@jehellweg]

So, how does the push for Article V, which is six states away from happening, by the far right theoaucracy fit into this concept of system change. How can we stop it? Appreciate hearing from your guest about a democratic option that pushes from the bottom to the top, the people option.

[@ericcarabetta1161]

Our economic system is like that Urkel meme where he's in the hot air balloon. The current government only has one response to trouble, and that's to pull the blast valve.

[@Cornyne]

What law or which Article of the Constitution gives the US Supreme Court the ability to say a law is unconstitutional? If I remember correctly the court gave themselves that ability.

[@adamhbrennan]

Also known as “the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie.”

[@X3R0D3D]

aka: Fascism

[@dbwarsakoon74928]

Thank you very much.verý useful lecture and wide explorerý explanation.

[@mishasinghal9016]

Great discussion!

[@kenmccahan414]

In other words, if San Francisco wants to pay reparations, fine. If another government body, city/town/county, fine. States and the federal government are barred by the 14th amendment from paying reparations for slavery.

[@joshuagharis9017]

I love all these Programs, Yet it makes it really difficult personally Do not always be in a bad mood While trying to function in our capitalist dystopia yes... Am I the only one?

[@Guitarpima]

4:48 the Dodd, Frank bill, makes quantitative easing possible. They are able to do it without permission from Congress.

[@Guitarpima]

Capital gains is criminal capitalism. They are skimming off the top of others capital.

[@Guitarpima]

19:44 we live in capitalism. The problem, the rich people do not let us participate in the monetary system. Feudalism for them, capitalism for us.

[@Guitarpima]

Your guest makes clear the following statement: until common “services” are taken from parasites, nothing will change.

[@headsails]

Think about what is more “sociable” and a driver of self esteem and confidence: Cooperating and getting together to enthusiastically remedy problems with overarching significance, or compete and resign yourself to a life of battling vanity, secrecy, coercion, corruption, anxiety, despair and chance! If life sucks, it’s for that reason. So, shouldn’t our constitution reflect this verbatim? Yeah or nay?

[@headsails]

Because individuals are out for themselves, other people that come into contact with that individual will be guarded and suspicious as a default stance for survivals sake within “that rule set”. Otherwise they become disenchanted and despondent and fall into depraved conditions known as “loser”. The rule set has to change and this is what makes Economic Update and D@W so so so important. Survival is better when you work smart as a group and so the new paradigm will emphasize open knowledge as a precondition for all else. This too should be written in stone. Open knowledge then is able to through scientific study give cause to real privacy. Most people miss this. The home becomes airtight for privacy. Most people would agree that what happens in the street as an open knowledge construct is worth it because they gain more independence and personal sovereignty. The implication of this is people will be have to learn more stuff , never stop educating and participate as a construct of knowing before doing. Mankind has all the data it needs to create optimized, functional and most importantly rejoicefull societies but has the underlying ethic and logic backwards. In truth, people need to focus on this primarily or else no other social justice cause will bear fruit. Read history and you’ll have the data you need to see this is paramount.

[@RJ-pe6uj]

Prof Wolf explains things where the goats can understand, just like Garland Nixon.

[@earlthomasknox6927]

❤❤❤

[@edwardwhite6565]

Is gold money?

[@neddyladdy]

Isn't it there to provide stability but able to be changed, like constitutions all over the planet for organisations from boy scouts to counties to international bodies?

[@GhostOnTheHalfShell]

Still, the themes of the war of independence and the founders own sentiments can be used to dispute the existing order. I use those themes in my own channel. The colonies fought a war of independence from the world’s richest man and his pet corporation, it was a war against plutocracy (regardless of the result leading to a different kind). The right is adept at expropriating left wing words and ideas. Those who oppose the right should and must return the favor and can act in kind.

[@stevecoley8365]

X-Files Vampires (greed) who suck the joy out of life have joined the zombies who eat the futures of their children. Zombie Apocalypse is here and happening now.

[@hermenutic]

I wonder if Americans have the gumption to save themselves from the consequences of these kinds of business practices.

[@screenarts]

Apparently not,

[@rogersmith7396]

Nope. Not until they face death by starvation.

[@hermenutic]

@@rogersmith7396 I'm planning to plant vegetables in grow bags and will share the surplus. That's something practical and simple to do. If a lot of people did it a lot of people would be materially helped. If few people do it a few people will be helped.

[@rogersmith7396]

@@hermenutic Growing pot might be more productive.

[@hermenutic]

@@rogersmith7396 Free pot is always nice.

[@julianaalacer518]

I'm glad I got into trading when I did because it was a turning point for me financially it was my best decision so far

[@lucymary2280]

As an independent woman, I started my first investment plan with just $1000 and am now earning a weekly income of $5000 trading cryptocurrency with my personal broker.

[@allentyler3552]

Bitcoin has been going down for a while now and it could keep going down or decide to go up. The truth is that no one knows, I think it's a good time to make a purchase and also seek professional help

[@George-jd8qc]

Inspiring! do you think you can give me advice on how to invest in a healthy way like you do? *

[@xqt39a]

Very good , a series of comments on the virtues of capitalism on a Richard Wolff video. You should be proud 😂

[@lucymary2280]

She's on insta 'gram

[@headfirst6227]

It’s absurd to consider any set of rules facilitates change. The most fundamental nature of a set of rules is to be a stationary framework.

[@billsolow2829]

So we can't change it or get rid of it. Where's the book for that?

[@jgalt308]

It's gone... and has been for 80 plus years...you need to get it back.

[@EvolutionWendy]

11:00 when you criticizE the Right and the Left, HARD as you do, BRUTALLY, and of course you DO, it is obvious you want the overthrow of gov.

[@garraper]

change will come....like it or not....revolt will come...

[@incognito3620]

Mr. Wolff after listening to your perfect reasoning, it makes me want to put a gun to my head. The problems facing us in America are so immense I feel there Is no hope. And there is no hope. We would have to throw out the baby with the bath water at this stage. Corruption, malfeasance, immorality, theft, cheating has become the norm in America. We, the people are divided so we are incapable of organizing and fighting it. Going this current route, America won’t see another new century.

[@briobarb8525]

Unfortunately I agree with you. Just not by gun. But I am guessing we are not alone. It is an overwhelming reality for many of us.

[@treefrog3349]

The noble ideals and implicit, all-inclusive benign intentions of democracy have been flipped on its head for 5 decades. It has happened so subtly and insidiously that too many loyal Americans are unable to detect the stench of its demise. The intentional decimation of our national system of education resulting in blanket intellectual naiveté, coupled with an existential level of economic anxiety makes people more "bullshitable". As a result, our two-party electoral process is little more than "theater", our economy is a Ponzi scheme, and our military budget sucks the very "lifeblood" out of many more other life-enhancing pursuits. Almost everything that America does is so wrong-headed that I feel we have all joined Alice at the Tea Party.

[@rogersmith7396]

Washington said a standing military is a danger to democracy. Most of the founders said religion was crap.

[@briobarb8525]

My opinion may not count much, Treefrog....but I AGREE!

[@khosrowafshar7644]

so my message has no reflect here?

[@kenmccahan414]

In a nation that uses democracy to elect its leaders, you shouldn't be able to engage in democracy, if you don't know the difference between democracy and Democracy.

[@jamessmith1785]

Is this why authoritarians and dictators come to power? (always the will of the people)

[@kenmccahan414]

I'll have to remind my son, that he's not going to whatever colleges you teach. The President of the United States is the only position in the Federal government that requires a majority of the votes to be elected. The rest are decided, mostly, by plurality, not the majority. Ranked Choice Voting state laws have changed that in some states.

[@jimh8340]

FAMILY

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

decentralize political government for divine free will unity

[@kenmccahan414]

It's the difference between democracy and Democracy. You don't live in a Democracy, where MAJORITY rules, and the minority has no rights. You live in a Republic that uses democracy to elect its representatives in government, and those elections are decided by PLURALITY, not majority.

[@yasseralsaidi1168]

Dr wolf are you polish besides being American man ?

[@ndwandwewasendwedwe7964]

Thank you so much Mr Robert Ovetz. You just summarised our problem here in South Africa. The Black majority who are natives are kept poor by SA's constitution which is labelled the best in the world

[@stephen_pfrimmer]

"which many of our guests can't quite manage"

[@GregoryWonderwheel]

Another great program. However he did not really point out anything IN the Constitution as an example of his thesis. The fundamental question is whether it's the words of the document or the interpretation of the words that is the problem. For example there's nothing wrong with the words of the 14th Amendment, but there's a terrible wrong in how the words are interpreted, e.g. a corporation is not a natural person so applying the 14th Amendment to corporations is actually unconstitutional even though the Supreme Court says it is.