NY Times Columnist Paul Krugman

[@hereigoagain5050]

My father, WWII vet, GI Bill college grad, and life-long Republican, left the GOP during Reagan's 1984 re-election because, in his words, "The Republicans are out to destroy the middle-class." Dad, RIP.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Black WWII vets didn't get any benefits from the GI bill. What a difference that would have made to black Americans.

[@emmawillard1832]

Same for my dad except he graduated from college in 1942 and was commissioned as an officer for the duration, GI benefits when he finally got back to the US in 1946. RIP. GOP supporters in my family for a long time. Dad warned and warned and warned that "trickle down" economics was a fraud intended to move the nation's money to the very few, an arrangement by which the middle class would be decimated and was decimated. Even Stockdale finally had to admit the idea was a complete fraud intended to concentrate wealth in the hands of a few at the top.

[@arlenewipfler5475]

@@yvonneplant9434 wow that is so shameful.

[@bill8985]

Cheers to your father. Same with my dad (and father-in-law.) I wonder how many people understand how powerful the GI Bill was to transform our country.

[@paulafigueroa1573]

That’s exactly what they did. Thanks for saying what your father thought.

[@ellenplum4271]

I feel annoyed any time it is said that people who have health insurance through their employer are happy. I feel trapped in my job because I'm unable to retire until I have Medicare.

[@hereigoagain5050]

Plus, the employer plans leave you stranded if you have a major medical emergency. They usually cap total medical leave before termination.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Yes! I stayed in a job I grew to hate solely because of the benefits which were outstanding.

[@emilymanhart368]

I'm in the same boat Ellen. I have 382 days left until I can retire. I've been working the last 5 years solely for the medical benefits.

[@mjinba07]

@@hereigoagain5050 Not to mention, a lot of major medical emergencies leave one unable to work for extended period(s), employer medical leaves often don't go far enough (the employer understandably has to keep their operations moving), AND there are often major points of confusion and denials of coverage. The stress of that, on top of the loss of health and what that it entails, is about enough to handicap a person's ability to resolve things. This is just unconscionable.

[@manyeyedcrow9391]

I think the argument is that many with private insurance are happy with it. If we make the ACA a viable alternative so no one has to keep their job just for insurance, it solves this issue, and this seems politically viable, where single payer does not.

[@markendicott6874]

Excellent deep dive into some areas that really need examination and amplification of How Things Are. Just another reason why we need you back front and center in our Political Life Al. Bring Paul with you.

[@harryshector]

“Not being woke doesn’t help, if you’re also kind’a stupid…”. Wonderful understatement! I love it.

[@reebeeable]

So often interviewers don’t allow the person to fully answer questions. I really appreciate this interview because PK was able to provide full robust answers. I learned a lot. Thank you.

[@carolynmeinung1286]

Thank you. Great show, for a change. Paul is a fantastic guest. I now have more talking points for my Republican friends. They just don't understand how government works. Al needs to run again. 💕

[@raptango_na6199]

Such as? Because the conversation seems like nonsense to me, but then again, i don't like Krugman

[@paulafigueroa1573]

Al you need to run again , we need you pal!

[@paulbraga4460]

@@raptango_na6199 🤣🤣🤣

[@jimbrown1559]

This was a great conversation. I have great respect for both Franken and Krugman. It was shameful that Al was forced to resign from the Senate, where he was a VERY important force. My wife and I contribute to campaigns, and Gillibrand will never get a penny from us!

[@clarafedde8674]

A great one as always. Enjoyed your smackdown on the CNN clip. That is the main reason we need you back in office. So please please please run again. You can do so much good for everyone.

[@jayhalley2642]

2024 Clara. He’ll be back🎉

[@chinookvalley]

Let's do what Al is asking of us. Knock on doors, get out and get involved. It's not easy, but it's important that WE do OUR part. Vote, help others to know what's on the ballot, and help them get out there and VOTE. Our country depends on all of us. Al is giving us the info, let's use it to the best of our ability.

[@kellym9242]

We need you back in office Al! That's a fact! Great interview...

[@yvonneplant9434]

It's too late for that probably. Plus we need more older millennials running now.

[@chinookvalley]

While we wait on that to happen, WE need to do what he is asking of us: Knock on doors, get out and advocate for change we want and need in our policies, get involved, let everyone know what is fact and what isn't. Help everyone to vote by whatever means you can offer. He tells us that WE are the gov, and that's a fact.

[@kimhunter8395]

Don't know about Kentucky but in rural southern Wisconsin, things are not that bad. I live near a town of 10K, surrounded by dairy farms, smaller farms, woods and huge cornfields. We've had Help Wanted signs in town for over 10 years, some with $1K and now over $2K signing bonuses. Many small farms are failing but that's due mostly to the increase in factory farms that can wipe out 100 small farms each and cause significant pollution. Overall, it's not as bleak as outsiders think and we don't all support Trump. Many Democrats here too.

[@edricaldones9639]

Brilliant interesting interview. Thank you, Al and Paul!

[@scph321]

..ACCOUNTABILITY is on the ballot CHOICE is on the ballot DEMOCRACY is on the ballot Vote BLUE

[@giggleman9908]

i always love to see paul krugman on the show~!

[@CaptainMattnight]

Mr. Franklin ,sir, I say this with all the enthusiasm I can muster, please run for president. You could be amongst the greatest we've ever had. You know, for a change.

[@dominique217]

$147K FICA cap. Why does that exist? Each year when my FICA is suspended, I always think it's strange. I get it, but it's not necessary. If it helps the program's solvency I'd gladly forego the suspension. We do stupid things.

[@slister45]

This was a very informative and actually quite hope-inspiring podcast, Al. I loved seeing you in Ithaca almost a year ago now on your recent, and hopefully ongoing, tour. It was a lovely evening. My daughter, a recent college graduate, is working as a nanny and feels like she was flim-flammed into getting a degree (and incurring debt) based on the false pretenses that a degree was necessary.

[@wes9627]

A degree in what? Nannyism? I worked my ass off and got a Ph.D. in engineering at age 36. My son worked his ass off and got a Ph.D. in engineering at age 36. Note our ages when we each graduated; neither of us incurred a lot of debt but worked to pay as we went. A good college education is a valuable insurance policy.

[@d.rabbitwhite]

@@wes9627 Right because everyone should be an engineer. That doesn't even make sense. C'mon the judgmental arrogance is gross; as if others are not working their asses off in what ever is their degree program.

[@slister45]

@@wes9627 If you must know, not that you deserve a response to your very rude remarks, my daughter received her degree in music production and business from the University of North Carolina. She runs sound for a couple of venues, and also performs. I'm probably not allowed to say this because I'm her mother, but she's damned talented. Covid did a number on the live music business. Oh, and she also runs sound for a church on Sundays. But the nanny position with the rich couple pays the bills. She's just starting out. Incidentally, I also have a degree in engineering (UT ‐ Knoxville, class of '82). Next time, please don't be so rude. I'm proud of my kid.

[@dougbritton3239]

@@slister45 Well said.👍👍👍👍

[@slister45]

@@dougbritton3239 Thanks! I needed that 😊

[@paulinem.procopy3297]

hi Al. love this show. you are the best.

[@chinookvalley]

Until Al gets back in office, we need to do what he is asking of us. Make your voice count, get involved, learn the laws and what they are, use your means to help others to understand proposed bills and policies, and help everyone to have their voice heard by VOTING. VOTING is our duty, and so is helping others to VOTE. Thanks Al.

[@jamescho3718]

For some or perhaps many republicans, the unquestioning consumption of misinformation is due to religiosity of politics

[@andrewmantle7627]

Two of the best. Thanks people.

[@susanschaffner4422]

Good conversation and illumination.

[@Candyliz2003]

Paul Krugman is the physical depiction of a heavy sigh.

[@user-bq6vh9fk8r]

@Jay Bee empty brain rather

[@chuck9483]

It's a Jewish thing I think

[@sharonmickey4566]

Love your show Mr. Franken. Thanks for all you do. Mr Krugman, we have something in common. We both LOVE Sarah Jarosz! Love, from Wimberley, Texas. xo :) Her home town.

[@Guizambaldi]

Count me as the #3 Sarah Jarosz lover, then. #1 in Brazil.

[@ricardodsavant2965]

what a great columnist and a great truth bomber.

[@Shari466]

I read Stewart Stevens book when it came out. I've been telling people to read it ever since. It answered alot of my questions and it foretold of what is happening now with the Republican party. They were always setting things up for a guy like Trump. The best thing is that Stevens has been involved in Republican politics since he was a teenager. So he's seen alot.

[@DrummerTeeJay]

Found the book at my library. I'll be reading it soon. Thank you for mentioning it.

[@jayhalley2642]

Love you Al. America will be better when you return to the senate taking the seat of bigmouth , do nothing bully , jilly gillabrand . You’ll beat her easily . New York loves you.

[@paulhoffer3123]

QUEST suggestion! BIL MAHER

[@CapeCodAudioVisual]

Loved the show just disappointed that they didn't address the "Elephant in the Room". It's the 1%. They have cut their average tax rate by 50% and at the same time Doubled their share of the national Income. That share came from the working class and the poor. To get it BACK we need to return the tax code to the same dynamics as the 1950's. In other words if you want a raise, you need to have a Business owner with High Tax rates --Up to 91% during our boom years. This is what people need to understand. It was NOT the paying of the High Marginal Tax rates, it was the avoiding, that caused business owner to re-invest in Capital (new Machines) and share profits with the workers in the form of Raises, Bonuses and Health care. Once you get the working class to understand this, the Republicans will all be voted out and we CAN Really make America Great Again. --E

[@joannejohnson7006]

🦻thank you for this interview Al ☮️

[@noirellee]

People in depressed areas who read the road signs leave. What can you do there? There's no there there. How can you create a sea change?

[@pithicus52]

The only thing that keeps some of these places going is the Social Security that the old folks get.

[@karencaron1]

Really enjoyed this episode!

[@chrisjohnson9645]

I like the idea of a Puppies and Rainbow Act, however, I am very much a unicorn denier.

[@ericafuller7133]

Great conversation 👌

[@sosey111]

It seems to me that in America debates about universal healthcare you usually miss the point that the costs of providing healthcare are generally much higher in the US. I have rarely seen a discussion exploring why that is. My own belief is that there are two main reasons. 1) In America, health providers receiving public funds largely can charge what they can get away with. By comparison, in Canada governments set fee schedules that doctors and hospitals receive for services. Of course the doctors want more but they have to negotiate with the government, not the insurance companies and clients. 2) Tons of money is spent on administering and negotiating payables and receivables for services received in the US, whereas in a single payor system, the administration is much simpler. People say the Canadian system is too restrictive. That waiting lines are too long, and some services are hard to get. Perhaps the Americans can do something like the Brits and have providers choose whether they are public or private providers.

[@leonardzane]

KRUGMAN (26:33): Public aid to public universities was scaled way back, and we shifted to this model where..."Why don't you go out there and borrow a lot of money to be able to attend college?...And we're not going to do any vetting of the schools.'" ZANE: "Public aid to public universities was scaled way back" beginning in 1981, when a 70% maximum marginal income tax rate over many decades was slashed to what has steadily dwindled to a 37% rate in 2022. This nearly half-reduction drained government (including federal grants to states) from funding many social programs, including higher education and public housing. If we want to fund the restoring of affordable higher education, and also affordable housing, then restore the 70% maximum marginal rate to provide the money.

[@Adrian13rams]

It makes me so sad. I'm from one of those Ohio rural communities. A community that taught me to critically think honestly. I go home and it breaks my heart to see people I grew up with or helped raise me be maga or trumpers

[@marktevault57]

So you became a Marxist, right?

[@Adrian13rams]

@@marktevault57 obviously 🤣

[@JohnChampagne]

A popular political commentator talked with a prominent economist for almost an hour and no one said that we can end poverty and promote sustainability if we charge high fees to industries that emit pollution, deplete resources or destroy wildlife habitat, then share fee proceeds to all people. I have a problem with that, not least because I think those goals are important and we *should* hear what the best proposals are for achieving them.

[@rkoblues24]

Great ones are hard to come by, Al.

[@Amalgamotion]

Just to add my own school loan fiasco to the list. I went to a now defunct college, switched to a regular college were none of the credits transferred but the debt sure did, between the mounting debt, full credit load and full time job crushing me in my twenties I cried uncle hoping the job building trains I found would last... after the contracts dried up and I got let go, I've struggled. I've slowly paid down the debt I could but I haven't had the capability to sort it out in any meaningful way thinking I'd probably retire and still have school debt. Biden has almost wiped out the remainder to the point I have hope for the first time in decades. Bring back unions and bring back prevailing wages, educated our kids in FUNDED SCHOOLS and shit fund government so it can actually work. Finally bring down monopolies that are absolutely killing any real growth. I'm fully into a capitalist system that isn't on a tilted playing field. The feds interest rates are going to kill any small business growth monopolies haven't

[@lcflngn]

Al, saving this for later, sounds like a great one, for a change, love you both so high expectations 😉 Just bought tix, hotel, date weekend with my almost 31 yrs married delightful husband in Monterey in Dec, can’t wait to see you in person. Ish 😊. Unlike most, we’re not insisting you run again, that sounds totally awful, don’t wish it on you. Do what you do, we’re happy for that. Thx!

[@josephppopp7493]

This was a really, really great one!!! Simply Wonderful,Incredible for a change 😊❤️🙏

[@allenaxp6259]

Great interview. Over the four years from 1948 through 1951, the United States transferred $13 billion (roughly $115 billion at current prices) to the war-torn nations of Europe under the plan. The transfer represented approximately 2 per cent of U.S. GDP and roughly the same share of the collective GDP of the recipient countries.

[@mattirealm]

I also earned an Economics degree (undergrad, not Masters) and I really enjoyed this. Paul talks about zombies, and my god, I just can't help but think of the recent song Zombie Inferno by Bloodbath. Read the lyrics for that song and you can 100% apply it to what he is speaking about here. Brutal death metal song=the state of the US right now. Truly horrible IMNSHO! And this statement by Paul, "How long does it take to recover from the misfortune of graduating into a recession? FOREVER!" Yes. I graduated in 2002, in the wake of 9-11 and it was a shit economy. Despite all that, I did rebuild myself and even did quite well in the wake of the 2008 Recession. But recovering from student loans, end of my business, a pandemic and a divorce.................talk about heavy and tough, and all in the same timeframe. Day by day is the rule for me at this point. Thanks for the podcast Al!

[@burtonschrader2]

Inflation? Give money to the wealthy and they put it in offshore tax havens. Pay a living wage to working people and they spend it. Happy society and healthy economy.

[@corinnapetry65]

I graduated into a recession and Paul Krugman is correct. I never really got lucky throughout the rest of my career. The other barrier is that I am a woman, still making 20 to 25 percent of a man's salary in the exact same role and level of responsibility.

[@garysandiego]

I never realized this myself (graduated law school into the Reagan recession), until I started reading about what was happening to law grads in 2009-10. About two or three years of law grads having a tough time getting jobs or getting jobs that turn into partnerships. I feel like my own career never took off while guys that graduated just a year after me soar with salaries, 10 years out, more than double mine. Never understood why because objectively they are not better lawyers in any technical sense. I guess I’ve found my excuse now. (Although I can never shake the feeling that there must be something wrong with me.)

[@earthmama5659]

We need immigrants!💙🇺🇸

[@ricklichau9176]

We are immigrants!

[@earthmama5659]

My family has been here since 1610. So I’m not an immigrant. Our Country started in 1776.

[@ricklichau9176]

@@earthmama5659 Well, I was making a generalization, but agreeing with your comment. Your family was somewhere else before 1610, so you are a descendant of immigrants by your own words. My family has been here since 1851, so I too am a descendant of immigrants.🙂

[@earthmama5659]

Exactly! You know I found something recently that I love. Barack Obama said AMERICA WAS UNEXPECTED. I fuckin’ love that!💙🇺🇸♥️

[@maurinedoyle9964]

the number of ads is insane

[@susanlynn1213]

Run Al Run!!! We need you.

[@harvlinny8148]

He resigned in disgrace, remember? He couldn't keep his hands to himself. That's OK with you?

[@billb5732]

38:04 Immigrants are not the solution to greedy corporations that don't pay or treat people properly. Raising minimum wage would help. Unions will help more. Telling companies that they won't get relief from the gov't; therefore they must shape up: THAT would help, as well. Corporations figured out how to do it during the 1990's. They can figure it out again. What they need is consistent messaging (from people such as yourselves).

[@johnarthur5238]

"Junkie Patrol": each member has a different addiction, alcohol, meth, food, sex, etc, and the lieutenant is co-dependent. Slapstick hijinks every episode. I'd watch that.

[@cbbcbb6803]

How many doors can you knock on to counter the number of voters that Republicans are able to throw off the voting rolls?

[@zanthornton]

Thank you fir CAPTIONing! Wish you were in congres again

[@victoriamathis4227]

Al Franklin, Is there anyway to find a transcript for this episode? That would be very good.

[@MelissaThompson432]

There is a transcript in the dropdown that plays along with the podcast. You can scroll all the way up and down. I don't see a way to download it, but I am on android.

[@January.]

*Al Franken *any way

[@dthomas9230]

@@January. l.i.e are the three letters that always cause problems. Li was doing fine until an "e" came along to join and caused Frank to question how Franklien sounded. Life with a lien on your name can be expensive so e kicked li out. Li is suing in a case of anti-Asian bias.

[@norman_5623]

@@MelissaThompson432 To clarify, on the line at top that says "37,291 views", etc., there are three buttons on the far right. Click on those buttons and a box will appear. Click on "Transcript" and you'll get the transcript. I then go into the transcript and click control-A to highlight the transcript (and everything else on the page), then control-C to copy, then move to a blank document in a text editor and click control-V to paste. (Sometimes it's easier to use the mouse.) You get a mess with the entire page, with the transcript in the middle. Delete the text above and below the transcript. It's a machine transcription, and the spelling is accurate about 95% of the time, so you may or may not have to correct it. I use Chromium Linux, but it should work in Windows or Mac too.

[@roxannwatson8896]

Fuel pricing has a tremendous amount of influence on the economy; transportation for products, food, people... Don't expect prices to stay low. However, back to supply and demand, many people still work from home, keeping prices down. We need to build our reserves back up, the Ukraine war doesn't help, and many states temporarily halted fuel taxes. The prices may start an upward trend soon.

[@TheMobileHomestead]

It will go up right before the Midterm Elections .. because any discussion about Fuel Prices that doesn't take into account Price Gouging coming from American Fuel Companies who have spent billions of dollars to promote lies about Climate Change and all are controlled by Republican Trump supporting CEOS and stock holders is worthless

[@markcampbell7577]

We did not maintain a minimum standard of living local and this has serious consequences.

[@egx161]

Keep ‘em comin Al. Thanks !!! kaynahora! I know this word.

[@mladyriad]

bernie’s plan was a good idea that with modifications would be closer to what we ALL needed especially during the pandemic when some ppl whose healthcare was tied to a job they lost let’s not forget plz? Am a Bernie supporter and am not happy how the DNC threw him under the bus not just once but twice?!?! It all blew up and it’s how we got tRump in truth in my opinion. This was another good one 4a change… ty💙ty

[@norman_5623]

I am a great admirer of Paul Krugman but my admiration is qualified. I am not convinced that single payer was impossible nor that it would have destroyed the Democratic Party. I remember during the 2016 campaign a voter came up to Hillary and said (to paraphrase from memory), "My husband and I are paying over $1,000 a month for health care and we just can't afford it." Hillary said, "Maybe you could shop around and get a better deal." She immediately realized how ridiculous that sounded. I knew at that moment that Trump might win. I also admire Marcia Angell, the former editor of the New England Journal of Medicine. She assigned stories to policy experts from the entire political spectrum. Then she wrote an editorial concluding that incremental changes are doomed to fail. They make the system administratively more complex, more expensive, and people fall through the cracks. Single payer was the only solution. Krugman is smart, but Angell is just as smart. I'd like to hear them argue it out on a panel.

[@garyluciani1082]

Russia may not have the logistic and military capabilities of the US but they do have nuclear bombs, which Putin has made sure everyone is keenly aware of. So I wouldn't get too smug about US military capabilities. If Putin is this crazy wild eyed person he's made out to be, then we're all in big trouble. I think a negotiated solution is the best course of action. Just saying.

[@moomooatl]

Sorry ACA isnt that great, when my GF who is a social worker has to pay 5k co pay on a out patient procedure. For social worker 5k is like 100k .

[@davidholt9136]

Al you should be Vice President!

[@moonmunster]

It sounds like the Russians are sending in their version of the Dirty Dozen.

[@archiegoodwinjr]

Wow. Al with Paul Krugman, a great show, for a change. Two honest thinkers. Can I admit that I cling to Democrat zombie ideologies? Should I be more open minded about NYT's John McWhorter?

[@DougGrinbergs]

6:45 interview start.

[@robynrains7252]

Great information thanks ❤

[@Brian-uy2tj]

Paul Krugman always tells it like it is. Al Franken 2024 We need ya buddy.

[@hazellove2144]

Wonderful explanation. Everyone who votes should understand this.

[@danielerickson5175]

“ it’s in the bag!” , you say? I think someone might be a little half in the bag, Al! God love you and “cheers!”

[@annsanse2935]

okay, three things: 1 -- i'm just a fool delivering received wisdom from a discussion i heard that included timothy snyder and anne applebaum and some other dude where it was said that, yes, the u.s. certainly has helped ukraine improve its lot in the war, but still more u.s. assistance is required for it to actually win. but what's also helped and not getting enough attention, i think, are biden's zoom meeting with xi jinping and speaker pelosi's trip to taiwan which delivered the message that china had better not get involved with putin and his war. 2 -- the u.s. can and must help americans with their rent, which i think starts by recognizing and professing that housing is a human right, maybe an inalienable right. this is a topic too complex for me, but it seems we should be creating policies that allow landlords their profits without being devils about it, and maybe kicking out the purely profit driven international investors, like canada did. 3 -- i love your take a shot at ted cruz moment in every broadcast and think you should promote it as a regular show feature.

[@direwolf6234]

you can survive 3 minutes without air 3 days no water 3 weeks no food but you cannot go more than 3 days no sleep .. and you need a home for sleep ..

[@iginasasdenis5029]

Good Afternoon Sir,Could you please enlighten us on the true suitation of the economics from continent to continent.If we were to minus the wars and hike on the crude prices.Tell us your insight on we can control inflation.What is truely wrong with the economic policy of the world currently.Thanks and Regards Iginasas

[@back2ufloyd61]

Alert: ADS RUN +/- EVERY 4 MINUTES DURING THIS EPISODE. Did you make a really stupid football bet, Al?

[@michaelmccoy6197]

This is exactly the stuff about "Economics" that is CRAZY MAKING! You spent nearly an entire hour citing all the various policy decisions that we SHOULD MAKE, because we have a wealth of evidence that they would work to improve the economy, peoples lives, the planet, the climate, everything! And what stands in the way? REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS that are beholden to the small number of people who would have to contribute "slightly more money" or who would see a "slight reduction in their PROFITS" in the near term, but who, even with that, would have opportunities to INCREASE THEIR SHARE in the long term! WTF???? That's not even addressing the fact that EVERYONE would still see the benefits of a more livable world, lower crime, lower poverty, lower infant mortality, etc. WTF??? The days of "it conflicts with our imagined views of what stimulates the economy" need to END! We need to get back to WHAT ACTUALLY HAS BEEN PROVEN TO WORK!

[@markcampbell7577]

We have been cutting taxes since the Kennedy administration he cut the highest rate from 98per cent to 90percecent. Reagan Admin claimed trickle down theory would boost the economy. We can't seem to remember that economy is wages above the cost of living how much disposable income is in the economy and the more economic activity the better revenue the government has in Treasury. These are forgotten as we cut taxes in a recession due to wage erosion from a false rate of inflation due the absence of accurate surveys of prices. The fundamental flaw in the economy was not addressed and tax erosion is bankruptcy of government.

[@arlenewipfler5475]

Russia should be forced to pay for the destruction of Ukraine’s infrastructure. There have to be consequences for Russia’s insane aggression. Otherwise they will do it again.

[@broadwaysam8405]

Highly doubtful when the US is making money hand over fist selling war toys to Ukraine and will eventually “own” Ukraine.

[@julianwilkins1669]

Political prisoners patrol Is better IMO. love the show thanks

[@someguy2135]

The Junkie Patrol" is "The Dirty Dozen" updated.

[@kimlr-herring]

Senator, please don't be too sure. His German idol went to prison and came back with a literal vengeance...

[@patriciaadams4171]

When I sound like Krugman on social media I'm called a communist from outer space.

[@broadwaysam8405]

Nothing irritates me more than hearing some talking head talk about social security as if it’s the federal government’s money. I was self-employed for 10 years of my 40 years of employment. The only thing the federal government ever did for social security was make it a mandatory deduction from my earnings AND then use my earnings that was supposedly set aside in social security for my benefit when I retired. I retired. My only income is MY social security so don’t tell me about how many federal breaks are given to the old.

[@jabbermocky4520]

Correct! The so-called handouts to old folks do NOT exist. We pay into SS all our lives, whether we want to or not, and at the end of it all when we can't break our bodies anymore the least we deserve is a return of that money and a little bit of respect. Krugman trashes working people who age out of the workforce and I resent him for that.

[@direwolf6234]

there's a key part missing: when the system was set up it was only meant to replace 30-40% of your pre-retirement income not provide you with the same amount .. the remainder was to be made up from a pension (retirement account) and personal savings .. too many people believe that social security was all they needed and now find themselves in a financial pickle ...

[@jabbermocky4520]

@@direwolf6234 Pensions? Who gets a pension anymore? Just federal employees and some state workers. Been that way for 40 years, since Reagan gutted labor. I never had a pension from ANY of the many jobs I've worked. They simply were not offered by companies or corporations. Not for 40 years! It's insane. It's sadistic. It's all too American these days: "I got mine, screw you." "You pay ME, I get rich, then I screw YOU!" So fucking ugly.

[@joem5386]

@@direwolf6234 Happy to read someone who understands the initial intent of SS. Others on this thread who are raging against Krugman would do well to remember this. This program was never intended to replace a person's pre-retirement income but only a portion. The rest depends on the individual to plan and prepare for.

[@emilymanhart368]

​@@joem5386 @dire wolf But back in the day, your employer would fund a pension fund. Today, that saving for retirement is all on the worker. And our 401ks are in the stock market with no guarantee of growth. Gone are the days of 'safe' investments like a CD that pays 6%.

[@solarwind907]

Great podcast, for a change :-). I had never thought about the advantage of white GIs getting out of World War II, getting loans and into homeownership before. Most of what I was hearing was how I should feel bad because there were black slaves in the south before my people arrived in New York from Ireland early last century. I have a real hard time figuring out how that’s my fault. Anyway, I can understand now how institutional racism, like if no one will sell your house because you’re black, could certainly have affected black families in the 50s which is when I was born. Thanks for giving me something to think about. Any day that I learn something new is a good one.

[@rockwell6594]

Paul Krugman's mentions the zombie economic notions beloved and peddled by the right, against all the evidence that they only work for the rich. This reminds me of J K Galbraith's assessment of what conservatives are engaged in. “The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” (2002) Cheers

[@townsendjean]

The GOP is poised to become irrelevant politically. Polls show a widespread and deepening divide between the GOP and what most people feel about women's rights, gun control. and voter rights, These three weighty issues are front and center in the minds of most americans. The GOP ignores this growing chasm at its peril.

[@townsendjean]

@Jay Bee Behold folks in this stupid thoughtless remark the Mt Everest of brain deficit.

[@peterincork3121]

While he is an undoubtedly top class economist, I've had an issue with Krugman for his repeated scapegoating of Ireland, when it comes to US companies not paying their fair share in tax. Ireland never really had a corporate base, so was never dependent on corporation tax. If a Foreign company came in, we largely benefitted from the employment and the tax those employees paid, and a (iirc) then 10% Corporation Tax, which could be offset by building costs/training etc. When Ireland reduced it's Corporation tax, it had been forced to do so by the EU, because there was a disparity between what Irish companies were charged versus foreign companies, so they settled on 12.5%. This led to the repeated attacks by the likes of Krugman against Ireland, but the fact is that all along it was ENTIRELY within the control of the US Government to sort out the tax situation of US Corporations for themselves. The proof of that is the welcome imposition of the 15% minimum tax rate for Corporations by the Biden Administration and Congress. Of course it was easier to scapegoat everyone else, when you don't have the political will to solve your own problems.

[@greghill7759]

A well-reasoned evaluation, with a sting in the tail!

[@horrido666]

There's a reason they go to Ireland, and not other places. So go ahead an point your fingers. No one is listening.

[@jimmaughan1898]

I don't understand how pointing out that US corps are abusing Ireland's tax system is an attack on Ireland. I don't think he's lying.

[@peterincork3121]

@@horrido666 Clearly you read it to reply !!! They don't JUST go to Ireland. I've worked for a lot of big pharma in my career and you can draw a line from Mexico to Puerto Rico to Ireland to Belgium and even Switzerland and Singapore.... that's just Pharma. In terms of copyright, Holland have their own thing going which is why even U2 have their tax base there. In any case, this comment was in reference to Krugman's repetitive trash talk about Ireland, a sovereign country able to determine its own tax policy, when the issue has been with the US being unable to get agreement on taxing their own corporations. Fortunately it took the Democrats and Biden to do what previous administrations had been unwilling to do.

[@peterincork3121]

@@greghill7759 Sorry if it appeared short but I've been on about this in other places for years that it needed the US government to clamp down on their own corporations instead of letting them offshore their money until they were given a reduced tax amnesty to bring the money onshore. At least it's being addressed now, and the benefit of this 15% corporate tax agreement internationally, is that Ireland's tax yield goes up too !

[@ianperry5522]

I Like Paul. Should let him talk more.

[@linguaphile42]

Have been reading Krugman for so long, but it seemed to me that most of what he was talking about was what Bernie came along and said, and then Krugman, and Friedman, backed away from Bernie and supported Hillary. If I ever had the chance to meet him, I'd ask if the NYT put pressure on columnists to change their messaging, because it was pretty clear to me that they did.

[@Guizambaldi]

It's not that. Krugman share the morals and goals of Bernie, but doubt of Bernie's teams technical competence and Bernie's political abilities. If you want to go from A to C, and has to pass through B necessarily, it makes sense to hop on the ferrari o Hillary until point B, her final destination, and only then wait for Bernie's bike to catch you.

[@audreyw8521]

Who was responsible for the collapse of public funding of our public universities? We know that happened, but I want to know why and how that happened.

[@4terrascorned]

Ronald Reagan. He started in California then took it nation wide. Why? My opinion is because they are deluded lieing, theiving self entitled self dealing self serving would be aristocracy that requires an ignorant illiterate peasantry/servant class A cast system. They believe in the economic lies they have shoved down our throat for 40 years. But when really pressed I believe it's simply because they could. Because they knew they could get away with it.

[@chuck9483]

Check out the national justice party. They're doing some great stuff.

[@barrydalfino6967]

Al, it’s time for you to toss your hat back in the ring. The nation desperately needs your political skills now, more than ever

[@DETROIT1948]

Al... Priceless ✨✨ Ukraine Strong 🇺🇦

[@lololine]

This is a great video!!+

[@lucibjlb]

Washington does not have control on the cost of housing. But Washington can create policy that affects the cost of housing. That's true on just about everything.

[@lucibjlb]

@Jay Bee you don't know your history very well. There was a time when we had a thriving middle class. But between deregulation and significantly lower taxes for the wealthy, the middle class is almost gone.

[@lucibjlb]

@Jay Bee you honestly have no idea what you're talking about. Right now as we speak, we have a labor shortage. In the past, immigrants have workef a lot of American jobs that Americans didn't want to do, or could do. This included farming, construction, child and elder care, other service jobs. Our country was founded on immigration. All of our families are from somewhere else, with the exception of Native Americans. We could easily create a worker program today that allows workers to cross the border to perform work. They could be tracked and taxed on their wages, but would not be eligible for social security unless they became a U.S. citizen. But Congress refuses to address the problem. Instead, they like it better if immigration would remain part of the culture war. That way, they would have something to run on so dumbasses continue to vote for them. As far as the wealthy are concerned, they need to pay for the social programs we desperately need in this country, from child poverty to Medicaid. We're the only country in the world who do not adequately take care of our own people. BTW, I don't shop at Walmart. I'm pro-union. And I buy my t-shirts designed and created by American artists. I don't buy much else. I grew up in a working class family during a time when housing was affordable, public schools were good, the wealthy were taxed. I lived in a city with over 90 nationalities. We all got along real well.

[@lucibjlb]

@Jay Bee Oh, now I understand your complaint. You probably have an income that falls around 20% of the country. I know people like you. There's a lot of bitching. I get it. I'm a small business owner. The government is not kind to small business owners. However, most of us are doing a lot better than the average Americans. So, I don't complain much. Regardless, I'm not talking about you when I talk about the "rich." I'm talking about (mostly) investors who are worth millions and billions of dollars who earn money through market investments. They have so much money, they simply invest more then borrow against it for their extravagant living expenses. They end up paying no taxes at all. These kind of practices must stop because they're ripping us all off. As far as the 900 workers working for slave wages, I agree. Look at my last post. If we had a program allowing people to come into this country to specifically work, that was fully regulated and tracked, we wouldn't have these kind of problems. And if by chance, some of the exploitation still occurred, the employer would be prosecuted (which, for some reason, doesn't happen presently). All of these problems are solvable. But first, we need a Congress that's willing to address these issues. The only thing Congress does today is grandstand. Very few bills get passed. And as country, we're paying a hell of a lot of money for their inaction.

[@d.e.7467]

Reverse one commandments: Honor your children.

[@direwolf6234]

amen ....

[@alise1973]

R.N here. Your current health insurance plan is broken. You just don't know it until it finally rolls into your lap. Your doctors, nurses and other people fix the issues before it gets to you with a lot of time and effort that is oftentimes uncompensated. Pre-authorization documentation and phone calls to get procedures done. Follow-up billing request with insurance programs. All this happens usually without the patient's knowledge. That is broken. I totally disagree that somehow single payer would have been worse. this ignorance rolls on and people continue to want a broken program because they are ignorant. And because of all of this, prices continue to go up because there's no check, premiums go up, deductibles go up. And by the time people look up from their Twitter, they realize they can't afford it anymore and it's too late. Then the complaints start. If private pay insurance was so good we wouldn't have so many children with disabilities on Medicaid. Insurance programs do not want to pay for them. Private insurance would like people just to gamble on GoFundMe to pay for their children's life saving surgeries. Even though 90% of them fail. But sure sure go on. There's nothing broken.

[@alise1973]

It's actually incorrect that the hospital has to eat the cost if you end up in the emergency room. They 100% will balance bill you. You can fight it, and you may win but a lot of people end up paying at least part or all of the bill because we're trained to do that as Americans. There have been real instances where people were not allowed to go into surgery until they actually paid something. It's a myth that they have to eat a bill upfront.

[@sfkhome1]

Al, i love your humor and your brain …Ditch the music!

[@paytreein4d353]

Too many ads, people. Having a conversation interrupted every 6 & 1/2 minutes does not make for an enjoyable experience.

[@toddeddings9932]

Al Franken for President 2024!

[@markcampbell7577]

The Georgia phone call was very funny because the secretary of state and governor were reporting election results before the ballots could physically be counted. The post office delivery system of mail in ballots and absentee ballots were not counted at all. The election results were reported showing Trump to be one vote short of winning the state and all electors from Georgia. In light of the truth it a funny phone call.

[@edwardb7811]

The Marshall Plan represented about 2 percent of the US GDP for each of the four years t was in effect (1948-1951). It basically put Western Europe back on its feet, which is to say a good market and strategic partner for the US among other things.

[@SamSung-nf6tr]

Al, you need videocast your podcasts. It would help ur ratings.

[@marie-laure.]

Just like Donald I would if I tried. . 😹😹

[@dax9431]

I wonder what he would say to the idea of UBI by 2050, as the rest of the world will have.