The Common Good vs. Trumpism | The Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich

Friends,
Today, in honor of Memorial Day, we take a deep dive into the common good versus its antithesis - Trumpism. We look at what’s happened to the common good, why Trumpism is attractive to so many these days, and how the common good can be resurrected.
Please grab a cup, pull of a chair, and join the conversation.

[@brownhorsesoftware3605]

It started with Reagan blaming poverty on poor people and when companies switched from treating employees as an investment to as an expense. That is my life experience, at least.

[@ShineOnBenevolentSun]

It started long before that, with The Business Plot. Republicans were willing to assassinate the President to prevent poor people from escaping their serfdom.

[@edwardlulofs444]

Yup. Regan was a very corrupt man. Uh, Reagan. I recall at the time some spelled it Raygun

[@SandyHartman-zi1wu]

AMEN!!!!

[@grizzlybear4]

I agree 100%

[@grizzlybear4]

Yes. Greed became normalized as the most important moral value.

[@garyoa1]

It will take generations to get over the mess he left. If he somehow does get reelected... we're screwed.

[@davidlafleche1142]

The USA was founded in 1776 by evil Freemasons. It was BORN screwed!

[@jkane693]

Sadly agree.

[@davidlafleche1142]

@@jkane693 The USA was founded by evil Freemasons. It was screwed from the get-go.

[@rdbeckett590]

Well he will be done if he wins again yes that’s what I am saying it won’t go well of be for long

[@davidlafleche1142]

@@rdbeckett590 Why would you say that?

[@thehomeeclady]

Thank you for a worthy discussion. I find it ironic that the decline in concern for the common good is most prominent among a group of people who also profess to be Christians. It's stranger than fiction.

[@Hollowbethynam-vz6ug]

And yet your hosts can never come up with what Trump did or signed into law that proves your point, Lol, you all are dellusional.

[@yaimavol]

Common good is code word for Neo Marxism. Christians are smart enough to figure that out

[@edwardlulofs444]

Anyone can claim to love God, but you can’t fake love.

[@Merzui-kg8ds]

Because MAGA confused their own narcissism with the Common Good.

[@fishdude666ify]

Take the irony a few levels deeper: all the tinfoil hatters that are obsessed with conspiracies about the "deep state" actively reaching into our private lives are pushing for the very people whose idea of government involves doing exactly that to be in power.

[@PellyjellyMom]

He absolutely did. His cruel, anti-social beliefs spread to every person hiding hate and racism in their hearts. It gave them a platform to spread their message.

[@igorzisky]

Oh really? Trump has a lot of black people working for him not bc the government made him but because they had the skills necessary to work for him.

[@igorzisky]

Also bidon makes racist remarks all the time

[@erics4768]

@@igorziskysure Igor

[@Marshall_Stacks]

@@igorzisky Haha.

[@igorzisky]

Haha and sure are not answers that turn people to your side.

[@paulpease8254]

Robert Reich is the only Reich I can unify with!

[@agny369]

Dark, A plus pun 🫡

[@beefandbarley]

💯

[@jenp5759]

Good one

[@thethirdman225]

Touche!

[@fraukegoertz5573]

Hear hear! A Unified Reich redefined.

[@elligilberg1564]

I remember when “Reaganism” came in the 80’s, and riches and selfishness became the height of fashion. We must get back to caring for one another - including corporations.

[@davidluckens3479]

For most of "the gipper's" life he was a New Deal Democrat.He was president of a union ,long before he was elected POTUS-He switched parties after the war as his career as a B Movie Actor,and GE spokesman made it possible to acquire Southern Cali Real Estate,and become a wealthy man.For myself,the biggest tell about Reagan was his betrayal of friends and allies when he testified before HUAC.All that said,I must add that compared to 45,the Gipper was an Oxford Don.Peace.

[@michaelrch]

What you are talking about is not an accident. It's a facet of neoliberalism. It's a plague that has taken over most countries unfortunately. If you want to learn a bit about it, there's a new book called "The Invisible Doctrine". Very concise and punchy. I very highly recommend it. Though it might get your blood pressure up a bit at times!

[@dianasullivan8210]

Absolutely the beginning of the Republican Swamp.

[@user-fe7ll3tv8h]

Thanks Mr Reich!, we need more people like you!!❤

[@connyleicht6567]

Exactly! He's so honest and always on the side of the needy ones all over the world, not only the US, because we're all one. ❤

[@dennisreed3382]

Do you have dyslexia?

[@user-in7kr1ys2m]

Yes comrade Reicht is the absolute model for the obedient citizen. He is fully informed on the party line, without deviation from the holy Marixist doctrine. He is utterly without discrediting weakness. He has no detectable imagination, he does not love his country he is the perfect citizen for the coming new world order. Thank you comrade

[@pattoneill2402]

Secretary Reich, you are still a national treasure. Thank you for your contributions to our greater good. 💙💙

[@davidlafleche1142]

We need a Monarchy. "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand".

[@pattoneill2402]

We are living in the Kingdom of Heaven right now. It is part of our personal spiritual evolution to realize this and become Christ-like ourselves. No monarch putting his fat, self-entitled arse in a throne chair will help you to do this. I will pray for you, David.

[@jodylineman]

Robert Reich is so smart and wise. I am so grateful that he continues to educate and help our country. He is a national treasure.

[@GaryChurch-hi8kb]

I worked in an electronics shop for several months back then and they played Rush loud all day long. I was not political but what my coworkers would say to each other after being inspired by Rush made me a democrat for life.

[@ehRalph]

Ditto- I was not political at all, no preferences, no awareness party or platform. The back room electronics guys had a TV rigged up on the wall blasting Rush whenever I went in there. They put up dart board doctored up pictures of Clinton and other undesirables - I thought it was weird

[@erics4768]

⁠@@ehRalphI listened to rush for a very short period in early nineties then I realized he was all hate. Blame the people struggling.

[@wsurferdude]

Gingrich / Gecko was definitely a turning point in America. The acceptance of selfish and greed as good.

[@MichaelSpanhake]

When Blatant, overt Greed becomes endemic, I guess it's Politically Savy to make it acceptable + fill your own pockets while you're about it.

[@George.Q.Citizen]

It was Raegan who trumped Kennedy’s “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” with “the government isn’t the solution, the government is the problem”. That was the turning point.

[@littlebitofhope1489]

I had a chance to see him speak, and everyone around me wanted me to go, and I said NO. I will not support that man in any way. I have no desire to hear him speak one single word. I lost a lot over that one.

[@beefandbarley]

@@littlebitofhope1489You stuck with your humanity. Bravo 👍

[@phil20_20]

Towards anarchism? Because, in actuality, all dictators are nihilists.

[@nancywhitaker5096]

Reagan was horrid.

[@gwayne919]

And let's not forget the damage that began with his elimination of the Fairness Doctrine and the granting of citizenship to Rupert Murdoch so he could begin buying news organizations and spread one-sided lies with nothing countering them. People are still today wondering if Alzheimer's had already began to affect his judgement with his decisions during this period.

[@haraldwerner9778]

My German relatives have often asked me why Americans are so selfish. My answer has been the Americans look at themselves as being more important than society, while Europeans put their society first over their personal interests.

[@rd264]

we Americans are profoundly selfish.

[@tflg3257]

@haraldwerner9778 Let's send our border invaders to Germany.

[@tflg3257]

@rd264 Germany freeloads off of American taxpayers.

[@IMeMineWho]

​​@@tflg3257Lol. Germany does not freeload off of Americans.

[@doneaton6704]

So glad to continue to hear your perspective on all things human, not just economics. You are a Philosopher Robert.

[@MarkusKamau]

Thank you for this discussion. Loved the sidebar about why “It’s a Wonderful Life” is so relevant. As humans we have the opportunity to do good every day and each action triggers more.

[@lindaswanson9328]

​@@mbjasniewskiBest movie ever made.

[@homerbeer943]

The irony of Americans is they think they're against royalty but they give their president many of the powers of royalty. The way the power of pardon (for example) is used to routinely discard the decision of the courts is crazy.

[@elisaskeeter6598]

When trump pardoned our corrupt governor, I knew he was corrupt,too!

[@dayegilharno4988]

:) Despite the nomenclature, "egotistical megalomaniacal narcissism" is not an -ism, but a pathology.

[@marcomobson]

👍

[@barbaravollmert9508]

I'm a 67 yr old lady. I am doing everything I can do to sign people up to vote!! This can't happen. Scary for may daughters and granddaughters .I swear handmaidens tale.

[@rd264]

you cant be more than 22.

[@loisk6186]

This was one of the best Coffee Klatch episodes. These ideas are so important and fundamental. I love reframing today's challenges as selfishness vs. civic responsibility/morality. It gets at the heart of the problem. It is something everyone can understand.

[@yaimavol]

Studies on charitable giving show time and again, the conservatives are far more generous in giving of their personal wealth to charity than progressives. It's a fact. Progressives talk and that's about all they are good for. When they get absolute control, you get San Fransisco.

[@BMinus0593]

Sadly, the people that need to see this video won’t. And the few trumpers that do watch it won’t understand it. The trump party is the party of selfishness.

[@michaelrch]

You're not wrong. But the whole economic system we live in now is rooted in selfishness. It has a name. Neoliberalism.

[@roberth1148]

I’m with you pal ,the gullibility,the ignore-ance ,the misinformation,the lack of care for the planets future,corporate greed,Republican compliance,What a mess !

[@Hannah2012able]

Great chat🤔 treat others as you would like to be treated! Respect yourself and others❤ Peace takes effort🇨🇦

[@flyrobin2544]

A business is run to make a profit, but government is to care for the welfare of the people .

[@moe47988]

No, everyone benefits from the profit of businesses, in the form of products and services. The government is to run infrastructure and defend against foreign threats.

[@flyrobin2544]

@@moe47988 My point is that you can't run a country like a business. Yes everyone benefits from a good business, it fails when the stock holders are more important than the customers.

[@sheilawade433]

​@@moe47988 US FORM of government: Constitutional Federal Republic SYSTEM of government: Representatve Democracy In addition to the Federal government defending the "living constitution" and providing infrastructure, US government represents the citizens by making laws that regulate, and are responsive to current conditions of concern to the common welfare of the country.

[@cyan1616]

Strong business regulations are necessary in order to keep the out of control profit seekers in check so they don't destroy society.

[@cyan1616]

​@@moe47988is it a threat when Arab countries are buy up all our rental units, medical clinics, senior care homes, etc. then raise rents and charges to the point where they destroy society?

[@thomasconlee4939]

This has quickly become one of my weekend "go to" programs. Professor Reich has a way of explaining the complex, so people like me can grasp it. Heather is perfect as the "invisible hand" to keep him on track. Well worth a half hour of my time (especially when CBS This Morning includes an interview with Miss Piggy)

[@jodylowe8476]

Well he didnt ruin me, my family and my friends. He surely ruined the lives of millions of sheeple that continue to follow him. Us normies just have to deal with the mess. But that is almost normal with most GOP Presidents. Most in my lifetime have left a stain on the country. It is always up to the adults in the room, the Dem who follow, to clean up the mess.

[@nickfain9309]

How lucky none of your friends or family became trumpers.....

[@lonelyp1]

I have to agree with you. Then when the dem gets things cleaned up we wind up going backwards, giving too much to republicans even if the president is still a dem. And the dem's can't manage to get things passed with or without filibustering. If we could keep dems in for 12 years or more then maybe they could get some programs up and running right before republicans come back and defund and ruin everything.

[@Hodenkat]

An imagined connection between wealth and morality is driving a religious movement. It's happened before throughout time. Worshipping the wealthy as being morally superior has lead to calling anyone poor "lazy". This magically absolves any moral obligation to care for those who lack opportunity and generational wealth.

[@moe47988]

Many poor or average people are lazy though. They decided to party through high school, and never pushed themselves to achieve anything.

[@Carlins_Prophet]

​@@moe47988Ahhh, but are they poor because they're lazy or are they lazy because they're poor. Your comment all but proves the original poster's point.

[@moe47988]

@@Carlins_Prophet there’s more than one cause of poverty, don’t be disingenuous.

[@Carlins_Prophet]

@@moe47988 There certainly is a bigger picture that you seem to be missing.

[@ohyeah3365]

​@@moe47988Of course there are some lazy poor people. There are also spoiled entitled rich people who are greedy and selfish who are brining the country down.

[@anthonymrbs]

I'm 66 years old and I've detected a major change in our society when my mom and dad's generation began to die out. My dad and his brothers were born around 1920 and they grew up through the depression then all three fought in WWII. That generation helped each other out without ever expecting something in return. I never heard them blurting out their politics to others like people do so freely today. They just worked, raised their families, and everyone got along. But with the baby boom generation which includes myself, we've never had to encounter anything like the depression or WWII where everyone had to come together just to survive. We became selfish and only helped each other when there was something in it for us. Trump did not create that culture of entitlement and selfishness and being disrespectful, but he embodies it. And sadly so much of our population is that same way.

[@michaelrch]

What you are identifying is the deliberate result of the neoliberal doctrine that both parties adopted in the 80s - first the GOP then the Democrats. And OMG it's poison. There's a really good new book about it called "The Invisible Doctrine". If you want to know specifically why everything went so wrong - the people and the suite of ideas behind it, I highly recommend it. It's very to the point and readable.

[@KendraEMoyer]

All the whites who wanted to, got VA benefits from fighting in the second war. They also got access to all other benefits Americans enjoyed. Blacks were always the last to receive entitlement benefits if any money was left. These benefits included education, housing, health care, preferential treatment in employment. The value of these benefits put them high up in the middle and the laboring classes. Democrats fought for inclusion even then. Blacks who served did not get these same benefits without litigating. After 1954 many southern cities that had been built by enslaved blacks closed public schools to oppose integration. Then they snuck and used tax money seized from all workers to support the alternate segregated whites only schools. Trump and his father did that in 1970 with money ear-marked for black housing. You could avoid the draft in Germany and come to America and steal from minorities if your name was Drumphf

[@JohnJohnson-pq4qz]

Come on man, there is no mystery "neo-liberlism" has been at play since the 70s and Ronnie Raygun became its acting trained mouth piece. Idiots like Thatcher in the UK saying there was 'no society' (ie no community or common good), that it was every-man for themselves. That is a very specific kind of unregulated Capitalism, where people have no intrinsic value except to generate prophets for corporations. Do you not think living in a system like that is not going to change people???? Like its just some random moral failing?? "think tanks", the banks, economics faculties, and both US political parties have been pushing that hooey since the late 70s and you are living in the result. More income disparity now than in any other period since the middle ages. But lets blame some generation..or minority...Jesus wake up before its too late

[@user-xp7yy3py5o]

I’m 74 and my father was born in 1915 and experienced the twin traumas of the great depression and WW2 that called for collective action. The silent generation had this during their formative years when they were forced by circumstances to work together and support each other. For my father and mother FDR was close to god whose government programs saved people in desperate times.

[@claudiawoods4382]

❤ Agreed ❤

[@stardance9442]

Here here I toast my cup of green tea to your coffee cup great conversation keep all of us reminded of are responsiblty to each other and democratic values.

[@triciahutchins5407]

The line that finally took down Joe McCarthy was, "Have you no decency, sir?"

[@WriterRachel]

Too bad that would never work for tDump since he has no decency at all.

[@rd264]

yeah sure.

[@arielle2745]

You two are great! Thanks for reminding us that there are still people out there who are dedicated to the common good!❤

[@thomaswillard1804]

The difference between what's good for the country and what's good for the pocket book was never clearer for me than in the Carter-Reagan debate of 1980. I had just returned from living abroad and could hardly believe what I was seeing.

[@rd264]

yeah but where were you when you had a class on the history of this uncivil racist population?

[@freedomfinder5196]

Appreciate this discussion of the common good. Thanks to you both! 💙🇺🇸💙

[@user-je2ny1mq1o]

🙋‍♀️💖Robert Reich. worthy discussion

[@briobarb8525]

I LOVE THIS MAN'S MIND AND HEART!!!!

[@oceanrock733]

Love listening to Reich’s wisdom.

[@MsDemonBunny]

Thank you for these videos. It's nice to hear actual adults talking sense for a change.

[@michaelharrington7656]

These excellent programs remind me that politics is not only about policy or philosophy but about character. Robert and Heather represent the most attractive element in the Democratic Party and show that the spirit of FDR is still alive and working.

[@charlesdelpapa3398]

Wouldn’t be a human race without a common good.

[@rd264]

the common good? it dont matter none no how

[@sylvanwoods5271]

Such a great conversation! Thank you!

[@williamrossetter9430]

This is my favorite podcast, because it is imperative to bring morality back into our society. Being a former Republican, I now feel that our country needs a common good. I have friends on both sides, but the grievance mentality of the Trump supporters has to end. People should not look at the other perspective as evil, but also not look at their friends as not Dems or Reps, but as fellow travellers. I don't agree with some that our society is headed for ruin. Perhaps I naively think that if we get Trump for another 4 years, that his grievance culture will backfire on him and his sycophants. I am not afraid, but definitely concerned. THanks to RObert and Heather for their wonderful podcasts!

[@michaelrch]

Unfortunately the problems are much deeper than just Trump. Trump is a symptom of democratic malaise - a feeling among people that the system is rigged against them and they have to vote for a disruptor to fix it. It's the typical road to fascism. Desperate alienated people give up on traditional politics because it consistently fails them. And it increasingly has because it has become completely dominated by the interests of the very rich. Add to that 50 years of neoliberalism that has taught people that selfishness is good, that greed is good, that success is always deserved and so is poverty, you have a very toxic mix. A population that has been taught to condemn compassion that is also angry, discontent, often living with huge stress and finally, unable to get the change they need through traditional political means. That's how you get Trump. That's how fascism has been able to rise in the US. And in many other countries as well.

[@janinegriffiths8281]

I really enjoy both of you on Saturday morning. You give me hope for the future.

[@kathleenjohnson3645]

You have put your finger on when and how things changed in America. I am slightly younger than you but I am appalled at Americans today. It is not the America I grew up in. People are selfish and money grubbing now as never before. We did not have the huge amount of homeless working people. Mentally ill people did not walk the streets until Reagan closed down the mental hospitals. Young people had HOPE and there wasn’t the huge debt Americans carry today. It’s a sad state we live in and I am ashamed to be an American when I go overseas. I am not proud of America today.😢

[@briobarb8525]

Well said!!!

[@rd264]

wake up whipper snapper! the country was rotten in the 50s and 60s and 70 and 80s and 90s.

[@jajsjjijsksls3256]

Sad, seriously sad. Hmm.

[@alexandergriffith4517]

I appreciate your discussions, and consider it to be foundational material.

[@kaceykelly7222]

I love having coffee with you two! It helps me feel more hopeful. ❤

[@user-qu3yw2pf6c]

Excellent conversation today!! Agree with all of what you said.

[@manofthehour6856]

Great topic as always. I shake my head in how he took the country down the wrong path.

[@williamschlotterer9802]

You two characters help me maintain my sanity. I'm struggling to believe that I'm not the only American to perceive the threats to democracy and the same inherent responsibilties we have to each other. You give me hope.

[@ProctorsGamble]

You can get a sense of the decline in public behavior in the way people drive and how they behave in airports 😣

[@brigid.mckinney]

Thank you Both! Robert, you are the bomb ! I learn every time I watch!!

[@grizzlybear4]

The moral squalor has been virulent. Thank you for bringing this up.

[@Sheepdawg7]

THANK YOU! I really enjoyed this session. It was wonderful. ❤

[@judehylton9692]

Vote Democracy Never Autocracy in America 💙 🇺🇸 🙄!!

[@davidlafleche1142]

That's what Democracy IS.

[@nuitsnight]

​@@davidlafleche1142 Huh? Not quite.

[@davidlafleche1142]

@@nuitsnight Democracy is the most brutal and oppressive form of Government ever devised (Daniel 7:7, KJV).

[@michellewhitfield5667]

​@@davidlafleche1142That is wrong. Daniel 7:7 KJV says "After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns."

[@davidlafleche1142]

@@michellewhitfield5667 That's a perfect description of Democracy. The majority always votes in favor of sin. "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat" (Matthew 7:13) If an individual refuses to commit the sin approved by the majority, he is murdered in cold blood (Daniel 3). Today, the local school board (consisting of less than ten people) may pass a rule stating that all boys must dress up as girls. A hundred parents would object; but if they do, the school board will hate them, make up false accusations against them, violate their right of free speech, kick them out of the meeting and/or have them arrested, all because they refuse to commit the popular sin of the day. That, in a nutshell, is Democracy.

[@philipwellerjackson6906]

Thanks for the clear understanding of our history!

[@synupps877]

Chuckle.

[@karenjones1897]

i so look forward to this on saturday mornings. thanks robert and heather.

[@JNaomic970]

Thank you for being so clear and experienced in how this mess came to be. It has been so perplexing! And I’ve realized Trump didn’t make all of this - he was an instrument of the times that came before him.

[@l.a.gothro3999]

Thank you, Robert and Heather!

[@tpreston8453]

Thank's both of you!

[@kathrynblake4004]

Loved this, great topic, Heather! You are so good at reminding us all how brilliant Sec Reich is.

[@stephaniepersin4222]

I answered in my mind Secretary Reich’s response. I’ve been following politics since 1975 when I was 10 years old. I was 15 in 1980. I was 19 in 84 and voted Mondale/Ferraro. By the time I turned 18 in March 1983 I became a yellow dog Democrat (staunch) and never strayed.

[@OldHeathen1963]

I'm near your age. Sorry to say it took me longer to wise up. By 1992 this blue collar worker was through with Republicans for good.

[@LiberalAfraidKnot]

Can anyone tell me the appeal of and self attachment to be a Reagan Republican? Carter still scares republicans why else make him a punch line?

[@jpe1]

@@LiberalAfraidKnotthe enduring appeal of Ronald Reagan is that he had a very clear message, that the America he valued is a country of suburban and rural white Christian people who live by traditional values, and he implicitly promised to craft government policies to benefit white suburban and rural Christian above all others, and would do his best to disadvantage all the less worthy other people. He is worshipped to this day by those who believe that government should exist to maintain the privilege and status of those people.

[@wanderer85295]

​@@jpe1yes and he delivered that message in a way that those who couldn't see through it to what it really was liked how he was saying what he was saying . They didn't call him the great communicator because he was bad at delivering a speech. In a way Donald Trump has a form of that , he doesnt have the velvety eloquence of reagan but rather the gutter tongue that resonates as authentic to those who have been or are the ones who have been the most greatly affected by what reagan began . It's truly sad .

[@dayegilharno4988]

19:52 "...never underestimate the power of a declining paycheck..." - So I went into the kitchen to get a refill for my coffee with my headset on, and only heard what Robert said in that clip on Limbaugh's show (who - as a viewer from across the pond - I only ever knew through the practically indistinguishable talk radio station host in GTA III), and everything he said made perfect sense, as it usually does. Then I went back to rewatch the scene the way it was intended for me to see by Limbaugh, and for a moment I "heard" Reich say exactly what Limbaugh wanted his audience to hear: "They're Mocking You!". Man, I wish that appealing to lower instincts, insecurities and fears wasn't such an effective propaganda tool, readily available to anybody without ethics, morals, standards or at least some scrouples! (minor edits for clarity and grammar)

[@AniMerci]

Excellence as always. Thank you, Robert and Heather! 🗳 🌊 🇺🇸

[@robynrains7252]

I knew your voice sounded familiar and when you played the old clips I realized I’ve been listening to you for years 🇺🇸 thanks Robert and Heather I always learn something new from your podcast 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸💙💙💙💙🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸💙💙💙 VOTE BLUE for OUR LIVES 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@user-le3fc2fe2l]

Thank you both so much!

[@TWILS02119]

Happy Saturday! Much needed discussion and much love to you both!

[@DrNancyLivingCoCreatively]

UC Berkeley has a center for greater good. A wonderful resource for social issues. Maybe we need to get Robert there for Wealth Inequality. 💙💙💙💙

[@michaeljmobley]

I've always thought Trump was Gordon Gecko, and I've hated his greed from day 1. People really need to focus less on gaining tons of wealth and power and just help one another. This is how a society can only flourish.

[@yaimavol]

Top 10 wealthiest Congress members. 7 of them are Democrats

[@happygrandma2732]

Robert should be on all the media shows but they're afraid because he speaks the raw truth.

[@rambleon2838]

Most media shows have been staffed with former GOP staffers, campaign managers, politicians, communication managers, legal and military analysts ect. Progressives don't have a voice anymore on the corporate cable news plantations. For instance, CNN had tea partyiest Rick Santorum on the channel for almost 4 years and catapulted conspiracy theorist and Trump fangirl Kayleigh McEnany straight into the White House. McEnany was in heir late 20s and had zero expertise in anything.

[@synupps877]

He doesn't speak anywhere near the "raw truth."

[@XZITT]

​@@synupps877will you please direct me towards the truth. Who, where.

[@synupps877]

@@XZITT I'm not claiming that there is a "truth." But, his perspective leaves out a lot of points that should be included.

[@debbieknight8901]

@@synupps877 would you be willing to name a few of the points you're referencing?

[@mikemetague7973]

To keep our democracy, we, the people, need to work for the common good, lest we lose our "government by the people" and hand it all over to the plutocrats and that megalomaniac who empowers them! Vote blue!

[@CatCaretakerID]

I just watched a video that featured the pandemic and the end of the pandemic, and the end of this show left me extremely emotional. What I realized in that moment, the insight I had was that the world today seems to be experiencing a collective PSTD. The craziness, the denialism, the unbridled greed and manipulation of power - things that have always been a part of the human condition, but to some degree was kept in check to a degree by other factors. These forces are reacting to a fear exacerbated by the pandemic to garner as much power and money as possible, and by any means possible. And currently they are succeeding, because everyone is thinking with a dystopia mindset. How will I survive? A fear-based mentality that says, “In order to survive I need as much money and power as I can get.” Is it possible that this how so many forces are focusing on stripping us of our civil rights? Jacking up prices to the point of the breaking point? Waring and killing to gain nothing more than an inch of ground? Well, I think they are all wrong. We do not survive this, any of this, by pitting one group against another, by stealing whatever we can and hording as much as possible, by putting dictators in charge, and we don’t survive by taking the civil liberties so hard fought by previous generations and extinguishing them. We do it by supporting each other, by chipping in and assisting those in need, by leveling the playing field so everyone thrives. We stop letting fear, greed and self-preservation do the decision making. We realize when we all pitch in together, we have always done better, succeeded more and the country and the world have done better too. Humanity, countries, communities and families have always done better when we worked together and supported each other. As Robert says - "worked for the common good".

[@johngodley256]

That is why corrupt leaders of 3rd world countries fill their pockets as fast as they can, they know the opportunity can be short lived.

[@marymeyer8185]

I worked in a bookstore most of my working life. What you said about Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh was exactly my experience. I thought things were going in the right direction when Hilary Clinton wrote “It Takes a Village”, but then N.G. Published his book and everyone piled on. Once, I went into a Christian bookstore and encountered a huge Rush display. I wanted to throw up. Eventually, I had people walk in, go right to my counter and accuse me of not carrying the book they were told by one of those radio guys was being suppressed by liberals. I would either hand them the book or tell them why we didn’t have it. Or lead them around the store and show them the books we carried. Not that they intended to buy anything. One man told me my problem was that I had been brainwashed in college. My district manager told me his phrase was, “I’m sure you think that we see red, white, and blue, but I assure you that all we see is green.”

[@lyndalou2892]

Robert and Heather ! Thank you so much for offering these wonderfully entertaining and informative talks ! You are both incredibly intelligent, insightful and funny ! 🌦🌥🌤⛅🌞

[@keithbohland6471]

Robert Reich is such an asset to America. Love hearing all of his wisdom.

[@Bluespower1792]

I remember Noam Chomsky asking the question "Do you want to have a society or not?" I have thought for a while now that the republican message was "F*U, you're on your own." Is that what we really want?

[@george-st-george]

thank You both !!!!!!!!

[@randallmanus7574]

You guys are the best!

[@cthymnn2010]

Thanks for adding clarity to the noise.

[@l.a.gothro3999]

Capra's "You Can't Take It with You" (1938) is also a great example of showing folks that work together and who wholeheartedly believe that's the best way to live. And not to be a spoiler, the main antagonist in the film eventually realizes that they're absolutely correct!

[@mehrankhodai6888]

EXCELLENT.

[@ww-bp9el]

Im nearly Roberts age, amazing how even though we have completely different past experiances, we have the same perspective on what has been lost, I beleive that we will evolve into a better place, and Im in the thick of it. In no small way, thanks to what you all are doing.

[@busgirl2591]

"It's A Wonderful Life" is one of my favorite movies, as well. I love The Coffee Klatch. Robert and Heather you make a dynamic duo!

[@maxplanck1423]

Many thanks to a couple articulate champions of the common good for benefit for the rest us. This segment would be an ideal addition to a basic civics curriculum.

[@brownhorsesoftware3605]

Notably, Kennedy said "what you can do for your country" not "... for America". We have also lost any sense of ownership and responsibility for our country, our government.

[@dennisyoung4631]

Yes. People need to understand that *WE* are the Government.

[@maryl4140]

I wish I could have attended some of your lectures @Robert Reich. Thank you both for providing an oasis of civility 🙏

[@marcomobson]

Thanks to you both for this warm, intelligent and hopeful coffee klatch! All the best from Germany! ☕☕

[@kerrywebb2651]

Bless you both. I enjoy your videos. Keep them coming.

[@candycepoortinga139]

Excellent love your podcast very informative thank you

[@masheldon]

This was a great Coffee Klatch! Thank you!

[@jimlemons9231]

The only way to be a good human being is to do things for the good of all and be selfless. That it is seen as a weakness is a major sign of the sickness that has taken hold of america. Greed is NEVER good!

[@Aikidragon_Prime]

To answer the question "did he ruin the country"? No, Reagan did when he cut the top marginal tax rate from 72% to 28% giving the wealthy the resources needed to start the transition from a Democratic country to our current Oligarchy.

[@txnmia8613]

You can look at a graph of any quality of life metric and see an inflection point at 1981

[@rockonmadonna]

Reagan’s street number was 666 before the campaign had Beverly Hills change it, but they could not change the fact he was the worst antichrist in the series of antichrist leaders since Stalin and Mao, joining in a line stretching from Tiberius through Hitler and up through Trump. Reagan ruined the USA, and it won’t recover; hate to be a downer, but that’s the reality. It will take a second American Revolution and a new government before America throws off all the results of Reagan, Bush Jr., and Citizens United not to mention Obama’s and Biden’s complicity, at this point.

[@SeeJayPlayGames]

Reagan is looking up at us and laughing from his throne in hell

[@trialballoon5413]

Rush Limbaugh was a horrible man.

[@DaveT383]

He was a repugnant asshole.

[@DaveT383]

He was entirely repugnant.

[@DaveT383]

Absolutely.

[@TheRoafer]

And obviously, he didn't deserve the Medal of Freedom.

[@dennisyoung4631]

Recall listening to Rash (briefly) in the very early nineties. His skits seemed funny, but that was the *ONLY* part I understood. The rest was both boring and incomprehensible to me. I went elsewhere soon. As someone who was born with substantial disabilities, most of which I was ignorant of at the time, I doubt I *COULD* have understood the Rash message.

[@BejaVue]

Thank you soooo much for making this video!!! This needs to be sais & heard!!

[@edandkarendamadio4108]

Ever since the emergence of Trump on the political scene, the Country and the world as a whole have become subjected to a plague that just won't go away. I, for one can't wait for Trump to disappear in some way, shape or manner. But, I am afraid that even if/when that happens, the effect of his presence will linger for a long time.

[@johnkintree763]

This is happening in the context of an emerging global digital platform that will be able to have conversations with millions of people around the world at the same time, and to merge the knowledge and sentiment expressed in these conversations into representations of the collective will of humanity.

[@Runnerup5.68]

Thank you 2!

[@ddieter603]

Chugging some iced coffee with y'all today. Thinking about how corporate greed and the lack of support for the common good failed a lot of people who never turned to a Trump figure; thinking about how evangelical Christianity's apostasy became culpable in all this. I read Ayn Rand in college too, as part of Humanities - I'm younger than Robert and older than Heather.

[@user-tg7uy3gt4s]

The term is Morally bankrupt.

[@StarlordStavanger]

I spend all week worrying about all this stuff it’s exhausting. The weekends are my time off to unplug and reset but I’ll try to watch this another day!

[@clicquot2271]

You are wise to take time away from all this. I’m not religious, but I firmly believe observing a sabbath- no earning or spending, no electronics except maybe to watch a movie with friends or family, ideally meals prepped ahead, getting outdoors, … would be good for everyone.

[@cutl00senc]

“Money….it’s the root of all evil today” The 1960’s were a turbulent time in our country’s history….but it pales in comparison to the state of our country today.

[@thomaswillard1804]

Thank you both for this much needed brush up lesson.

[@luisdavidllense2293]

This Klatch was really enjoyable. A sociology professor once told my class, with the focus being on the economy: We don't have to be necessarily immortal, but if we were to live considerably longer than our short lives, we would take better care of our planet's finite resources - and each other. I'm paraphrasing, of course, but it was something to that effect; unfortunately our short lives in this material universe impedes us from thinking beyond our immediate wants and greed - hence our wrecking our only planet we have for short-term gains. In other words, living the 'now' is far more important for the astute capitalist than thinking of their brethren or their future generations to come. The longer the lives, the longer they'll have to stay on this planet, so it makes sense to take better care of it - and their fellow humans - if they'd want to live comfortably. Just food for thought. Thanks, guys! Cheers!