How the Corporate Takeover of American Politics Began | Robert Reich

The corporate takeover of American politics was rapid and ruthless.
In 1976, I watched as thousands of corporate lobbyists descended on Washington. Fast forward to today, and lobbying has become a $3.7 billion dollar industry.
It all began with the Powell Memo.

[@marvinmartin4692]

Funny how corporations have billions for lobbying and campaigns, yet can’t pay there fair share of taxes! And wage’s!

[@brendasmurdoch8551]

Not funny.

[@HarpMuse]

Or a decent living wage for the employees that without them, they wouldn't have a corporation.

[@g.d.graham2446]

As far as I'm concerned, Citizens United was one of the worst decisions ever made in the modern Supreme Court in terms of poisoning today's politics

[@phyllisjackson4322]

Not so funny

[@atomic66]

" funny" is ment in a sarcastic manner. Or as in " curious",

[@cassiusdhami9215]

"Whenever the government provides opportunities in privileges for rich people they call it “subsidized” when they do it for poor people they call it “welfare.” The fact that is that everybody in this country lives on welfare. Suburbia was built with federally subsidized credit. And highways that take our white brothers out to the suburbs were built with federally subsidized money to the tune of 90 percent. Everybody is on welfare in this country. The problem is that we all to often have socialism for the rich and rugged free enterprise capitalism for the poor. That’s the problem." -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

[@g.d.graham2446]

Definitely. As far as I'm concerned, Citizens United was one of the worst decisions ever made in the modern Supreme Court in terms of poisoning today's politics

[@cassiusdhami9215]

👍🏾@@g.d.graham2446👏🏾 💯🧠🎯 Well said.

[@keirfarnum6811]

But we’re only supposed to say the “...content of one’s character...” line when mentioning MLK Jr. 😂. I.e., the only thing conservatives know that MLK Jr. said. Funny how they ignore EVERYTHING else he said.

[@rievans57]

Hello!

[@tellmemoreplease9231]

@@g.d.graham2446 You noticed the MSM paid very little attention to it. And neither party opposed it or tried to oppose it. It's a gravy train for both parties.

[@mattwhaley1865]

More people need to see this. It’s disgusting what Powell did to our country.

[@Cj-yw8cs]

Sort of a miss leading vid. That guy may have sent a memo, but that is barely a snow flake on a iceberg

[@frigginjerk]

He's up there with Robert Moses and Sam Alito as one of the Great Turds of history.

[@michaelcap9550]

Not nearly close to what the progressives are doing to ruin the US.

[@zombiehampster1397]

Powell is just one person. There is an army of Powells in our history.

[@rievans57]

Power mixed a dash of bigotry and viola you get the Powell Memo.

[@boatymsboatface3929]

It’s hard to not get depressed over the rampant corporate greed everywhere in this country.

[@michaelcap9550]

The typical lib response.

[@tellmemoreplease9231]

We have a culture of corruption in this country from the top to the bottom. There are several people on my block receiving disability checks each month. There is nothing wrong with them. One (a neighbor tells me) had 100% disability and mowed his own grass, rode a motorcycle and played softball. All of my friends who served in Viet Nam are getting PTSD payments except me. I'm the asshole.

[@wildfire9280]

3:48. A nugget of hope and our best opportunity for a future.

[@ajl2232]

In the world.

[@OneAdam12Adam]

​@@tellmemoreplease9231 I think you missed the point. It's about the rich CEOs who are taking in BILLIONS. Just one billion of those billions could pay for every fake disability claim and the legitimate ones too. Pay attention in your math class people!

[@kgblankinship]

This is an issue that the general public must be made aware of, because the concentration of corporate power means the curtailment of our rights, even threatening citizenship itself.

[@RockitFX1]

In the end, it won't matter that our government is democratic if our country is actually being run by corporate tyrants.

[@g.d.graham2446]

As far as I'm concerned, Citizens United was one of the worst decisions ever made in the modern Supreme Court in terms of poisoning today's politics

[@rajashashankgutta4334]

@@g.d.graham2446 so stopping government censorship is wrong?

[@imperialmotoring3789]

Centralizing government is the biggest danger we face. 100% agree.

[@imperialmotoring3789]

The open border is threatening citizenship itself. 100% agree.

[@Tommy_Mac]

It saddens me that more people are not informed about these topics and watch these videos. Corporations have screwed up America.

[@Tommy_Mac]

@@Zach-ju5vi sure. That could happen.

[@zsmith4853]

FACTS.

[@maudley]

@@Zach-ju5vi who do you think is paying for the election campaigns of those who make these decisions? Corporations are very much encouraging it

[@cyradragons]

@@Zach-ju5vi why such a hard on for corporations? Yes, they did create this mess with the help of corrupt politicians...on both sides, but mainly falls in the laps of "conservatives."

[@jimflechtner8970]

@@Zach-ju5vi Just what the corporations have brainwashed many Americans into believing.

[@lovethatagave]

On spot, Mr. Reich. I'm nearly 60 and have watched all this unfold. Thank you for your continuing messaging - please keep it up.

[@williamwild2188]

Thank you. Your opinion here should be show on NPR 24/7/365. Jane Meyers’s book DARK MONEY first made me aware of the 50+ “long game” played by corporate America to take over our government, to capture it. I imagine less than 5% of voting Americans have ever heard of the Powell Memo and if they have 2% would swear the Army General Collin Powell wrote it. Civic education is needed as we know.

[@susanr5546]

Jane Meyer's book is excellent and should. be required reading!

[@Lobsterwithinternet]

Not really. It's less them not knowing that them not caring. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink.

[@juliebraden6911]

Why NPR? You act like they're not biased asskissers.

[@cassiusdhami9215]

"Labour was the first price, the original purchase - money that was paid for all things. It was not by gold or by silver, but by labour, that all wealth of the world was originally purchased." Adam Smith

[@bobbafett1849]

Abe Lincoln, arguably the best Reuplican ever, said that "Labor comes before capital"

[@cassiusdhami9215]

Thank you kindly @@bobbafett1849. Didn't know that.

[@dbillett1]

Thank you covering something that is important for all Americans.

[@g.d.graham2446]

As far as I'm concerned, Citizens United was one of the worst decisions ever made in the modern Supreme Court in terms of poisoning today's politics

[@mikem4432]

lets face it.. Americans do not care as long as they can get drunk, have a job, and can get by.. that is a fact. Most Americans are by design given a minimal education and standard of living as the nation concentrates wealth to the top and the rest are ignorant peasants.. fodder really for the next war to send off to.

[@g.hon.4645]

And thanks for making it easily understood. 😉

[@curbmassa]

@@g.d.graham2446 As far as I`m concerned, it was a guarantee that the country would fail, and I said it the day it was passed and here we are.

[@cjmacq-vg8um]

in the forms of tax breaks, subsidies, bailouts and govt contracts the rich are the MAJOR recipients of govt aid. corporate "consolidation" is just another word for a "trust" is it not? a trust is a monopoly. monopolies are supposed to be anti-capitalist in the ssense that they remove competition from the market place. but the reality is this is how capitalism is supposed to work. perpetuating the ruling elite and giving them more power by making them even richer. the reality is capitalism is the rejection of competition and a corruption democracy. reagan was every bit as corrupt as trump and his pro-elitist policies have a reach that outstretches that of trump. the u. s. and the world are still suffering from the corruption of the reagan administration. in fact, reagan, through fraud, backroom deals and foreign interference, stole the 1980 election just like trump stole the 2016 election. there are actually two types of investors in EVERY BUSINESS! 1) there's the artificial investor; rich investors who makes passive, unearned income from their financial investment and who have no other connection to the company. 2) then there's the intrinsic, natural investors. these are the employees, the patrons and consumers and the community in which the business is located. ALL these groups of investors invest their lives, their labor, their money and the very well being of their community in EVERY business. yet capitalism allows gangsters living hundreds or thousands of miles away, who don't work in, shop at or live near the business to have more influence and profit more from these companies than the REAL investors who interact with that business everyday. that makes no sense. CAPITALISM MAKES NO SENSE!

[@Alabamaliberal]

Thank you for this history lesson! You can learn more from a 5-minute Robert Reich video than an 8-hour miniseries anywhere else.

[@bobs6503]

Robert and All, thank you for all the hard work you do! Please keep it up. My wife and I learn so much from your KZbin videos. This is such an important point. I’m sure far-right media NEVER mentions this insidious threat to our democracy.

[@KanadianRaven]

I can just see Carlson's fake frown if he were to aee this. I wonder what dumb 'questions' he'd use to rile the cattle he preaches to, to manipulate them into false impressions & wrongheadedness.

[@jandenbrok9574]

Thank you, Robert and assistants. I so hope you are right about your people's growing awareness and willingness to fight the greedy powerseekers.

[@imperialmotoring3789]

The greedy powerseekers are the government, not the businesses.

[@musakui]

@@imperialmotoring3789 they're one in the same.

[@KevinJohnson-cv2no]

The Strong Will Do What They Can; the weak will suffer what they must.

[@imperialmotoring3789]

@@KevinJohnson-cv2no Yes, the weak will blame everyone but themselves and be led into Socialism.

[@imperialmotoring3789]

@@musakui Under Socialism? Yes, you are correct.

[@goosygoose5462]

Revive the Money Out Of Politics movement

[@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing]

It never died, it's just comically outgunned. By Money in Politics protecting Money in Politics. Most supposed guardians of accountability-based progressive politics brag just as gleefully about out-fundraising the competition as conservatives do. The Campaign Industry is now a vital part of the economy as far as they're concerned.

[@finddeniro]

. .the Last several campaign reforms make shitz Worse .PAC s..

[@tellmemoreplease9231]

I have not voted for a R or D since Ross Perot lost in 1992. He warned us what was going to happen if we (gov) start signing these so-called "free trade" agreements. It has all come to pass as he said, but you will never hear anyone in the MSM talk about it. Off shored our industry, Jobs, profits and all the taxes those things used to pay HERE. Trade deficit last year around a trillion dollars. (bipartisan agreement). Vote for a third party (does not matter which one). They have to see us REVOLTING at the ballot box. They cannot ignore it, hide it or lie about it. Not voting IS voting for the status quo. VOTE The 2016 election was a revolt...... Trump was not a republican (was democrat all his life in NY). Bernie was not a democrat. A socialist all his life. That was the beginning of a voter revolt. That's why the democrat party stabbed Bernie in the back (twice). That's why ALL the noise about Trump, attempting to impeach him or stop him in the next election. (he's a lier, he hates puppies). They want to pick "who" you get to vote for. They don't care which one so long as they own them. I will not vote for a R or D until I hear one of them is going to make it a first priority to get MONEY out of POLITICS. Revolt at the ballot box.

[@juliebraden6911]

Yeah, politicians are gonna let us just vote their money and power away....

[@hezigler]

"We have the best government money can buy." Mark Twain

[@hklinker]

Another brilliant demonstration of marrying words and images. An enormous amount of information has been transmitted here. Well done to the production team! HOW this is done matters very much.

[@jamestomkin8784]

"There is no capital without labor. Labor is always first!" Abraham Lincoln

[@michellejackson1202]

Stop the labor .

[@MrThorfan64]

Shows why it's always important to learn history! I hope that your country can get out of this, the UK is in danger of falling into this.

[@zsmith4853]

Completely agreed. Well said.

[@abbush2921]

Falling? It's at the bottom of that barrel !

[@MrThorfan64]

@@abbush2921 Nearly, depends on the voter ID laws.

[@adrianthoroughgood1191]

@@MrThorfan64 what do you mean?

[@finddeniro]

The Realm..Canada included...Brits serve the King Charles ?

[@CynthiaSchoenbauer]

Thank you sooo much. I did not know this kind of thing happened. I also did not know the people who were on the wrong and right sides of what is a very big issue involving corporations. I know more now who to appeal to and work with... and of course who NOT to appeal to, work with,... and even TRUST. Thanks to one of my favorite political defenders of democracy. You are, for me, what is left of our beautiful 60's hippies generation and you have managed to keep it going almost single-handedly.

[@amymarch8221]

Wow! I lived through all of this and now it is easier to understand why things have been so "cattywampus" over the past few decades. TY RR!

[@TheVincentKyle]

Dear CHUDs, THIS is what an actual conspiracy looks like: no demons, no shadowy groups, just unscrupulous amoral men.

[@Elaiyel]

Unscrupulous men in shadowy groups controlled by demons.

[@g.hon.4645]

"...unscrupulous, amoral men..." who had the patience to set their plans FAR into the future. The things those guys Never counted on: - that their heirs could become so.priviledged that they would no longer know how the plan was supposed to work - that big business heavyweights would show themselves to be such poor politicians & statesmen - the coming of the internet - that their assumption would be wrong that by now the voters would be so poorly educated & stupid that they wouldn't understand what was happening. I have faith in the American people.

[@juliebraden6911]

Yeah no shit. What's your point

[@desuretard8654]

Ok, chud

[@TheVincentKyle]

@@desuretard8654 Right, shoulda put "*fellow* CHUDs", my bad.

[@sammicerise8553]

Brilliant! This is great reminding us how it got started and how there is still hope. 👏

[@TraderRobin]

Everything Robert says is just like pure fusion energy (highly valuable)!! 🤗🤗🤗

[@ronaldronald8819]

Thanks for reveling. This is how corruption became legitimatized.

[@daveogarf]

Reveling in what, exactly? Or do you mean 'reveAling'??

[@ronaldronald8819]

@@daveogarf don't know :) do you

[@BMrider75]

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has covered this very well in his 'the Scheme' videos. Thanks Robert

[@chea7z913]

Yes that's where I am coming from as well. They really ought to all band together and create a political group for the people

[@michellejackson1202]

Yup

[@kevinchouinard9539]

Only Robert Reich and his talented staff can make videos that are educational, easy to understand, and entertaining. Often I find myself laughing at the animated metaphors, while totally understanding the seriousness of the subject

[@fritzforsthoefel8031]

Reich lies to you why don't you pay enough taxes to pay for the handouts Democrats want we have a debt so big it defies belief because you won't pay enough taxes to cover the cost of the social programs they want leaving our children a bankrupt shell of a nation

[@oldreprobate2748]

Thank you Robert for getting around to this. Looking solely at the politicians and government in general doesn't get to the root of the real enemy within, wall street and corporate owners, those who capitalize the the most off the decline of the ninety-eight percent working class and our dependents.

[@craigcorson3036]

Please live forever. America needs you, and always will.

[@jlocey87]

This education is very well needed. Many refuse to seek it.

[@Elaiyel]

Many more refuse to provide it

[@RobinKerkhof]

Dear Robert, A lot of people believe that all politicians in the USA are sponsored by big corporations and so elections can not change the grip of big money on politics. I noticed this believe in the comments on one of your previous videos. Can you do a video explaining how voters can know if a candidate does not accept corporate money? I think this could help us getting the right candidates elected. The ones that are really there for the people and not for the bidding of big money.

[@JoseLopez-tk4tq]

Geez, now I understand why my high school American History/ Civics textbooks were sanitized. No mention, even remotely of this premeditated, insidious plot to hand the economic reins over to corporations and lobbyists.

[@fritzforsthoefel8031]

If what you say is true then why do the rich allow themselves to be taxed so much stop believing in democrat lies we have a debt so big it defies belief because Democrats won't pay enough taxes to cover the cost of the social programs they want instead of adding it to the debt our children will have to pay for Democrats party of handouts that lie to you

[@jacklanham7311]

Thanks Professor, I really appreciate your work.

[@MischievousMischief]

The quality of you videos are so good! You are going a great service to society and our education.

[@kesart8378]

Thank you Professor Reich for your scholarly yet highly accessible, enlightening and entertaining, made with righteous passion videos. And thank you for all you do for the betterment of those being pummeled daily by the corporate elites and their servants in government.

[@fritzforsthoefel8031]

Why do you not pay enough taxes to cover the cost of the social programs Democrats want instead of adding it to our debt our children will have to pay for liveing off our children the Democrat way

[@JRusk56]

You are so right. I've lived through it. It was so painful to watch that I had to pause for about 20 times. I sure am glad there are some hopeful signs. I th8nk the best example of this is the way corporations have invaded our secondary schools and colleges, putting on corporate videos before class and through corporate invasion of our cafeterias. This does nothing to enhance the education of our students and usually detracts from it. It is like the lottery--empty promises.

[@yvonnefarrell1029]

The idea of responsibility of these organizations goes back to TR, too, doesn't it? As Doris Kearns Goodwin and other biographers have noted, that was a radical response to the abuses of corporate entities. Amazing how within 100 years, this was undermined. Thank you, Professor Reich, for this and yes Washington is still sleepy.

[@brucebasile5083]

@@Zach-ju5vi As always you are proving you are divorced from reality...

[@brucebasile5083]

@@Zach-ju5vi Once again you are spouting your delusional nonsense everyone is laughing at little Zach..

[@brucebasile5083]

@@Zach-ju5vi Spoken like the clown troll of this channel. hahaha

[@brucebasile5083]

@@Zach-ju5vi More unoriginal projection we all are laughing at ..hahaha

[@brucebasile5083]

@@Zach-ju5vi You continue to amuse everyone with your unoriginal slow witted verbal diarrhea that we all laugh at. You truly are the clown prince troll of this channel. hahaha

[@jeremiahcook6617]

The story of uncontrolled greed we now have to endure.

[@Mr22thou]

Unfettered greed. Very possibly the greatest problem and the source of others in this country and in the world. Force everyone to tow the Evangelical Christian line and then I guess the goal is mission accomplished!

[@juliebraden6911]

You seem to think this is a new thing.

[@michaelpichahchy2489]

And let's not forget voting with our monies. I have a laundry list of corporations I refuse to do any kind of business with, as well as those I do. Your work is always greatly appreciated!

[@juliebraden6911]

lol voting. If voting gives the people so much power, then why haven't they outlawed it yet? Voting is right up there with thoughts and prayers for things that don't accomplish shit but people love to pretend they do. Easier than getting off your ass and actually doing something, right? lmfao, voting

[@LarkLeonard]

Thank you, Robert & InEquality Media! Your work gives all of us clarity, hope, & courage. Many thanks -

[@rockinbobokkin7831]

It's nuggets like this that I love. Thanks Robert.

[@rypatmackrock]

Through Thom Hartmann, The real beginning he argued in one of his videos was Russell Kirk writing a book called the conservative mind. In the book, Russell Kirk argued that with the rise of new deal policies; a large prospering middle class would create a racket and “destabilize society.” More likely for the wealthy elite that wanted classical hierarchy and autocracy as Thom Hartmann also described the stability of the Victorian, British, Gilded Age.

[@floydblandston108]

Thank you, Robert; you have become the memory and conscience of a less corrupt era.

[@johns.7297]

Nice history lesson. The professor always tells it like it is.

[@alanbailey5621]

We will never have a government of, by and for the people without campaign finance reform.

[@Elaiyel]

Which is precisely why both parties are against it.

[@supercommie]

Regulatory capture is a hell of a thing.

[@vib.3969]

Thank you. History is so important to the present. Let's hope working people continue to fight for our rights and against corporate greed.

[@zedmelon]

First Robert Reich video in a while I've seen that ends on a (potentially) positive note...or at least an encouraging one. Thank you, Mister Reich, for continuing to help educate the many thousands of people who are willing to listen--please don't stop!

[@bcshelby4926]

...and both parties are to blame, the (R)s just don't care if we see it. while the (D)s keep claiming they are "the party of the people". We need a real labour party that represents the voice of the workers and average citizens, not the corporations and wealthy.

[@juliebraden6911]

Bipartisan politics is a sham. They aren't going to let a third party in to take their money and power. You can keep dreaming with that shit. They like it when you think that way because then you won't do anything that might actually work.

[@danspawn85]

It started long before that. I mean have you not heard of the life of Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler. War is a Racket, and we use our military for the benefit of corporations.

[@ThisIsToolman]

Corporate influence on government has to go. I’ve been spreading that idea for years. It’s going to be difficult to overcome the naïveté and apathy. Hopefully, your correct about current trends.

[@tony4245]

I'll believe that the Bill of Rights applies to corporations - when I see one get flown home in a body bag. Thank you, Professor Reich.

[@juliebraden6911]

Why tf did you put that dash in there? Learn punctuation please.

[@mg43472]

We truly are living in a country of the rich... they make the rules and keep taking more and more.. I hope we can bring back the balance.. Reagan.. I was in College when he was doing his thing.. Saw him on Wall st when he rang the bell and said he was going to "Turn the Bull Loose"

[@i_am_a_freespirit]

Yes, but teacher's in Florida are NOT ALLOWED any longer to teach American history!😟

[@eatmorenachos]

teachers, not "teacher's"

[@i_am_a_freespirit]

@@eatmorenachos Sorry it was a autocorrect...have it saved, and I didn't check before sending it off 😃

[@duellingscarguevara]

@@eatmorenachos write 100 times....”Grammar notsies, will not inherit the vernacular of common usage”. If we are to retain our beloved “free speech”, (and defy the naughty word list), you’d better learn to misspell too. (The list has thousands of entries, for YT).

[@eatmorenachos]

@@duellingscarguevara Fighting for your right to be ignorant, eh? Good luck filling out your next job application. 🤣🤣

[@duellingscarguevara]

@@eatmorenachos not the sharpest tool in the shed eh, (for all the linguistic gymnastics?). Keep up the ad-hominem’s(😆) , and you too, will have to be writing in code. my little droogie?.

[@kevintaylor791]

Literally a declaration of class warfare

[@michaelrch]

Indeed. Not content with 5 sixths of the pie, the corporations were outraged that regular people held the other sixth and demanded it for themselves.

[@yaelz6043]

What are you gonna do? Resist? Mope all you want prole but get back to work.

[@kevintaylor791]

@@yaelz6043 Are you a billionaire?

[@juliebraden6911]

🤪 L I T E R A L L Y 🤪 Jfc learn better words and how to use them.

[@juliebraden6911]

@@yaelz6043 fuck off, kid. The grownups are talking.

[@mildredsrecipes3543]

Thanks. You put it into language that anyone can understand. Clever graphics make it an even better presentation. This is likely the most important political information every American should know.

[@j.c.hennessy8864]

Secretary,. Reich you have been my HERO and Guru.!! For DECADE'S.MUCH Gratitude Always and Sincerely, jc ☘️ Hennessy 🔔

[@thoughtprism2963]

Informative and rage inducing! Great job!

[@SG-es2hf]

Yes, it's a shame MORE Americans don't know this history, and the Republican continued commitment to this injustice to democracy AND the Democrats complacency because politicians ALL line their pockets. VOTE CAREFULLY

[@MrThorfan64]

Shows why it's always important to learn history! And be active in the electoral system, as the corporations are.

[@renatocorvaro6924]

@@Zach-ju5vi Hah! Good one. Oh wait, you're serious. Let me laugh even harder. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

[@brucebasile5083]

@@Zach-ju5vi No little Zach. Take that MAGA sycophant babble elsewhere..

[@brucebasile5083]

@@renatocorvaro6924 Zach is this channels MAGA corporate bootlicking troll..

[@brucebasile5083]

@@Zach-ju5vi More of the same verbal diarrhea we expect from this channels corporate bootlicking, MAGA sycophant. How much money have you been bilked out of by the former FATSO in chief little Zach? He has lined his pockets with millions from all the suckers like you. hahaha

[@dandylandpuffplaysminecraf8744]

Jimmy Carter. The last POTUS with free will. Best of luck. I have returned home ❤🇨🇦. Thank you for this good work and be careful.

[@juliebraden6911]

You mean the guy who was controlled by OPEC? The antisemitist? That guy? You libs and your blue tinted glasses are as bad as conservatives and their blind love for Nixon et al. I bet you think Obama's only scandal was a tan suit lmao

[@PopMusicKiller]

Corporate Lobbyists need to be exposed and hounded out of business. Make sure they can no longer go outside in public or on the internet.

[@stevenmillan9220]

What happened to Washington also happened to Las Vegas in its sudden transformation into a glitzy corporate American metropolis(courtesy of (former Mafia attorney-turned-)oligarch mayor Oscar Goodman's close leanings upon corporate lobbyists.

[@rickb3650]

Paradise, NV was formed as an unincorporated town in 1950 specifically to prevent the possibility of taxation by Las Vegas. This makes a seat on the Clark County board of commissioners one of the most powerful municipal offices in the US. While the Goodmans are certainly among the most corrupt and generally horrible people around, the transformation of the strip is due to its status as a tax haven and predates Oscar Goodman's transition from mob lawyer to politician by at least a decade.

[@adnaloy9025]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing! I hope someday someone can do something about this. Both parties contribute to this, because many of the politicians stand to make millions or get lucrative jobs by assisting their corporate overlords.

[@user-vk7cp1op9p]

Amen. You are singing my song! Thank you for all the work you do, making tracks for us to find enough oxygen to find a bit of hope down where where there is insufficient money to breathe. We are with you in this fight. And there is a large number of us. Education is so missing at every level! It must be set up immediately in high schools for those coming up on the vote! I'm really like the ads that teach current pressing topics.

[@juliebraden6911]

Indentations are a thing of the past, my friend. Also it's just one space after a period.

[@MegaSnail1]

I appreciate all of your posts...You're such a blessing to our democracy. I share posts like these to help spread your truth. Thank you.

[@chuckmiller3401]

Don't forget good ol' Milt Friedman who argued against corporations having any social responsibility.

[@johnmartin4641]

He’s right. What you’re forgetting is that management doesn’t own the corporation. The shareholders do. Management are merely employees of the shareholders. When someone is an employee of mine, I expect them to work for me and my best financial interests. I give them money with the expectation that they will use that money to maximize my return on investment. That’s the law. If they do otherwise, they are defrauding me. If you’re interested in social responsibility, then donate to a charity. The purpose of a corporation is to maximize profits, not solve the world’s problems.

[@g.hon.4645]

@@johnmartin4641 They can "...maximize profits.." W/o having more rights than a living, breathing human being. We started seeing the corporation taking precedence over humanity during the '50's. Today that manifests itself in the raising of the price of insulin well over 100% over night & saying "What're you gonna DO abt it?" when people complained, then legislating against people finding ways to buy their meds overseas where the prices are cheaper. As long as the voters realize their power at the ballot box, you can't make it work. But you can sure make things plenty expensive for us while you try.

[@herbertaponte8431]

Powell, the Corporate attorney, killed the law preventing any Executive from earning 100X the wage of the average Worker. 🙈

[@Robutube09]

This is a man I trust. He once came to U.K. and I was impressed with his straight talking. Keep it up.

[@andrewgraham1418]

As a candidate for the NDP in four previous elections here in Canada, I can say that if people sit back passively and don't roll up their sleeves to work for real change, or lay some money down to support a campaign, then they are victims of their own apathy and political laziness. The benefits weve enjoyed as a society were fought for over many decades by selfless activists who sacrificed their time, energy and personal lives to strive for a better world. That struggle has not stopped, and maybe never will.

[@patricklee8314]

Thank you, Sec Reich, please do also a piece about the harm that Robert Bork has done too

[@naturalbliss55]

Ranked choice voting is the key!

[@bicyclist2]

This really needs to be seen by many more people. Great video. If you liked this, I highly recommend the documentaries, "America: Freedom to Fascism", "The Corporation", "Confessions of a Economic Hitman", and "Zeitgeist Addendum". Thank you.

[@zelvemorganz9001]

This should be mandatory listening for all American residents. It is encouraging to have clear minds like Mr. Reich's trying so hard to help all in America thrive.

[@billobrien4680]

I have been telling people about the Powell Memo for decades and how it drastically affected the relationship between corporations and society.

[@juliebraden6911]

You sound fun. I wonder why everybody quit talking to you.

[@billobrien4680]

@@juliebraden6911 I'm gonna have to put you on hold doll face... I have people talkiin' to me on the other line.

[@Inpreesme]

Thank you

[@garyperkovac1002]

Why are things so crazy? Robert Reich puts it ALL in perspective... and shines a light forward.

[@tmr3volver]

Bless your soul for going out of your way to educate and arm us to stand up to big business.

[@thedoubs2383]

Yep, The United Corporation of America - the best democracy that money can buy. Any country that consistently names the flagship of their naval fleet the USS Enterprise is telling you everything about itself that you need to know.

[@Elaiyel]

The best "republic" money can buy. We're far from a true democracy.

[@joeyrobison6629]

Also, now that we’re in the bowl season, our sports venues have sold out to the highest bidders, ie Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, AT&T Cotton Bowl, etc.

[@abbush2921]

Mr. Reich, I read about this at a union education program a good 25 years ago .

[@Elaiyel]

Notice how we have heard nothing about it since.

[@thomaskenny7592]

Thank you, Mr. Reich. This is heartbreaking but ignorance is not bliss. Democracy presupposes an educated electorate. Please keep making these videos.

[@growthandunderstanding]

Another brilliant video, Secretary Reich! Thank you for your continued to inform the public, so that we might work towards fulfilling our role as informed participants in our republic.

[@sandyedwards2681]

Robert Reich is a national treasure. Thank you for this history. It’s important and most of us didn’t know these details.

[@doneaton6704]

Your research & presentations are excellent. Wonder what would happen if we passed a law forcing corporations to pay back the Government all the financial help employees get in assistance to live because they aren't paid enough. Then you can take your profits & bonuses.

[@TheWorld_2099]

Thank you for this video RR… Your historical perspective is important!

[@user-qo3jh9mn1t]

I love the optimism in your videos. Thank you.

[@phildalessandro5720]

This movement actually starts out with the 1951 book "The Conservative Mind" by Russel Kirk. This was the bible that people like Buckley, Goldwater, and Powell used to get power over the middle class. It was during the Reagan years that control over the middle class by big business really went into gear. The only part of your video that I believe you were soft on was your assessment of the corporate control of the 535 members of the House and Senate , our " representatives" , where over 90% of all members ( both parties ) are bought and paid for by their corporate owners. Only when the people get back their rightful representation in the House and Senate will the United States be free from the oligarchy and plutocracy !

[@tellmemoreplease9231]

I must apologize, I voted for Reagan the first time. I was naive. He (the party) kept saying smaller gov, get rid of the dead wood, etc.. There is truth in that there is a lot of dead wood in Washington. Many if not most of these bureaucracies are not doing what we think they should be doing. ie, the SEC sat there doing nothing for nearly 9 years after being warned that Bernie Madoff was running a Ponzi scheme. We still have a vacant hospital complex in a nearby neighborhood that used to treat mentally ill people who now walk the streets without treatment, that was shut down by Reagan. It's said it's a EPA clean up site? Reagan then tripled the National debt, spending nearly all of it on the MIC.

[@superpuppy7854]

When a CEO tells you that they have a, 'duty' to their shareholders, you should ask them exactly how many shares do they own. The idea that these parasites have any concept of duty to anyone other than themselves is far fetched.

[@lawsonj39]

As a former resident of Lewis Powell's hometown, I'd like to apologize to the nation on behalf of Richmond, VA. It's probably not a total coincidence that Steve Bannon spent a lot of his youth there, too.

[@g.hon.4645]

AUGH!!! I did NOT know! 😵

[@vada7259]

Thanks for addressing The Powell Memo!

[@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing]

Oh, those poor, benighted Ivy League CEO's and silver-spoon shareholders. Always under attack by that eternal villain: accountability. Look out, everyone! Atlas about to shrug...or some neocon boilerplate trash like that.

[@cev12]

How can one person be so truly bad. I guess he must not have believed in an afterlife based on what you deserve, because the suffering brought by Lewis Powell would land him in the depths of hell. Though, on the other hand, look at Pope Gregory IX who caused the mass murdering of cats... People are basically cruel. But deep thanks to the good souls who fight back.

[@Elaiyel]

They don't believe in the afterlife. But that won't impede their arrival at the place they deserve to be because of the human suffering they caused.

[@cev12]

@@Elaiyel 🙏 ...and the animal suffering they caused!

[@g.hon.4645]

Bravo on this one, Mr. Reich! My dad was a union shop steward so I thought my education on this was pretty solid; but you showed me that in my callow youth in the '70's I wasn't paying attention. Thanks again!

[@RedZeshinX]

This is one of the most important videos for Americans to watch to understand what's really happening in politics today, and why.

[@westwoods7675]

2:42 Correction: Buckley was decided in 1976.

[@RBReich]

Appreciate the flag! Our team regrets the typo. Powell wasn't appointed to the Supreme Court until 1972 after all!

[@MissyGail4eva]

Your lectures, and presentations like Sheldon Whitehouse's 'The Scheme', should be mandatory reading for all incoming elected politicians, not to mention included in the Civics classes the Right has been so nostalgic to re-establish in schools.

[@williambragg5064]

Well put and this is the message that needs to be shouted to all Americans, the book captured, and this video by Robert on the Powell memo should be required reading for all Americans. Senator Whitehouse’s book and Robert R have the whole story of how America got to this time in history.

[@juliebraden6911]

So you think the politicians aren't greedy, just stupid. And that reading some literature will help. Okie doke.

[@MissyGail4eva]

@@juliebraden6911 ooh, your a feisty one! For one, "The Scheme" _isn't_ literature.. it's a 21-part (and counting) presentation put forward by Senator Whitehouse via the Senate Floor, i.e. immediately is transcribed into the National Library of Congress, sooo.. it's freakin' relevant..of which one may have been awares had one actually looked into the sources rather than denigrating them sight unseen. The presentation really *is* the bomb diggity. Give it a go.. I double dog dare 'ya. 😊

[@deborahlukovich2193]

This is excellent. I saw all this in tree eighties. One year after graduating from a Jesuit university Marquette, they were teaching students that the purpose or companies was to provide a return to investors over serving consumers or workers or community. It’s been sad to watch every choose tax cuts over human beings for thirty years now. Here we are.

[@user-ti3vp9mt3z]

The animations are terrific!

[@middleagebrotips3454]

It's a class war, and we're winning - Warren Buffett

[@drphosferrous]

Is it weird to think that this kerfluffel may have been way less likely if we had prosecuted against the Business Plot? Seems like whenever the bad guys get caught we always just let them go and then we're shocked when they do worse later.

[@juliebraden6911]

Question marks are for questions.

[@drphosferrous]

@@juliebraden6911 are they now!

[@richardjimenez7394]

I agree with you about corporations greedy people! And thanks for your response and comment.

[@jardelg6419]

These are such amazing videos! Thank you Dr. Reich!