Why do so many Americans support a neofascist? | The Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich

Heather and I take a deep dive into why so many Americans are supporting a neofascist for president. Trump is the consequence rather than the cause of several major problems that have worsened over four decades - problems that have undermined the American middle class, and caused a substantial number of people to become angry, anxious, and cynical.
Please pull up a chair and grab a cub of coffee.

[@zoeydeu2261]

"The forest was shrinking but the trees kept voting for the Axe, for the Axe was clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood, he was one of them." - Turkish proverb.

[@karenwhite9989]

Amazing proverb. So sad but so true. Thanks for sharing this. People will vote for their own demise to quench their hatred.

[@soniadavila9903]

Si true!

[@24HeySay]

Just as Trump's head is made of wood, like too many of his followers heads.

[@jandunn169]

Brilliant. Thank you

[@dellerwin1]

Beautiful quote. Thanks. Am gonna circulate it.

[@cathyleatherman3097]

How can you respect someone who is so selfish … it’s always been about Trump and him only … it makes me sick

[@user-sg6sv9oi6i]

💯 agree

[@robertl1504]

Why would a rich Narcissistic misogynistic billionaire give a damn about the lower and middle classes and any non wealthy Americans for that matter?

[@gregpendrey6711]

The basket of deplorables are suseptible to fear mongering. They are fearful and shame based.

[@DeaconBlues25]

Isn't that how it works with gods?

[@TheGuinever]

It makes me sick, too. And I have lost faith in half the American public.

[@illissawhite2676]

Thank you Mr. Reich! Vote blue! 💙

[@fritzforsthoefel8031]

If you vote Democrat why do you not pay enough taxes for the social programs they want do you not know the size of our debt and that our children will inherit a bankrupt shell of a nation because you won't pay enough taxes for the handouts democrats want

[@fritzforsthoefel8031]

Our debt is thirty four trillion dollars our economy is twenty six trillion meaning when our creditors cash there bonds in for dollars they will lay claim to everything we produce and still owe more resources thats the future our children will have because you won't pay enough taxes for the handouts Democrats want stop voteing your own selfish interests and start voteing our childrens intrests vote out handout Democrats for our childrens sake

[@JoseMartinez-df2db]

Biden is also a neofascist.

[@Retsailor88]

Believing someone who has lied extensively is simply being gullible and stupid.

[@kentcavender6949]

You have just described the republican base

[@adstryker5084]

@@kentcavender6949 "You have just described the Demonrat base" -- fixed it for you.

[@you2bforall]

Fool #MAGAts once, shame on #TheTrumper. Fool #MAGAts twice shame on them.

[@GMC-qo9xi]

@@adstryker5084trump has risen to power specifically by relentless and shamelessly slandering his opponents (anyone/everyone who stood in his way). He has mastered the power of lawlessness. Regardless of the sins of the democrats, the republicans have rationalized that the ends justify the means-fighting evil with evil.

[@tryscience]

​​@@adstryker5084 Let's make it simple for you. In 1970 the top tax bracket was 70%. Now, tax advantages go to the wealthy and to businesses. Were you not listening to the gentleman? Your anger and frustration is a direct result of you being manipulated by the wealthy and powerful. Being manipulated against your own best interests. But you can't even see it.

[@tobyspeeks3793]

Equating wealth with intelligence is a huge problem in the US.

[@annakingry9157]

And how many TV personalities are now in the business of running the country? Americans are not serious voters.

[@judyives1832]

Exactly. The USA has a habit shipping the rich. Even though the rich has usually done NOTHING to earn either their money or our respect. The money is being stolen from the middle class and the poor.

[@dianneantonio9293]

....world wide...look at the English Royals...other dynasties..

[@ronniejohnson196]

No Doubt!

[@andreah6379]

Americans IDOLIZE the greedy rich, are you kidding?!

[@johnrezleog3575]

I am 69 and the current direction of the country scares me. It's not Trump that scares me as much as the large group of people that do not see the framework of facism being set. Examples: the Supreme court is playing games with the wording of law. They struck down Roe and that's after 5 justices lied about overturning Roe in their senate hearings. Yesterday they decided to play games with the immunity of the president. Justice Alito said he was not interested in the case brought before the court. WHAT? That I thought WAS what the court system is supposed to do. Many on the court are re-writing the laws which is NOT in their power to do. How about our government creating coups in many countries for our domination in those markers and those countries resources all for big AMERICAN companies. How about Bush inacting the patriot act for our protection. And then lying about WMDs to get us into war and at the same time allowing our INDUSTRIAL complex to make more money. One of the only divisions of government that has no accountability to the money it spends. Biden continues this today in supplying the Isreal government with more weapons. The presidency has gone sideways. Trump said over and over that Covid was not a threat & that everyone should get back to work to keep our economy good. Good for who? Anyone owning stock? That's limited to very few at the top. The stock market used to be the sign of the worth of a company. NOT like Trump is trying to do with his social media company and make a quick buck. Many in the house and esspecially the senate are their to make money off of the stock market. And lets not forget Citizens United. What a perfect way to allow big money to take ever our government. When did THE AMERICAN WAY become worshipping money instead of life itself? We as a country do not support struggling people and make it hard for the less fortunate to lead a life of happiness. Why are we playing with our beliefs? Many news outlets are trying to normalize hate and atrocities. In school we had fire drills but NEVER had shooter drills. What the hell? Gun manufacturers are making money while we allow our values in humanity to drift downward. Where are the hard lines we as Americans will not cross? I would say our worship of money and power have condemned us to the hell we are currently facing. Sadly!

[@erincaitlin1655]

Well said !

[@yourdaddy-mq4km]

Did you forget who indicted their opposition?

[@yourdaddy-mq4km]

Did you forget who sent your tax funds to Ukraine?

[@yourdaddy-mq4km]

Did you forget who locked you down during the "pandemic"?

[@tammyjantzen9004]

You're 100% correct!!

[@ericpfeiffer4037]

Robert Reich is a national treasure. Diminutive in size but giant in intellect, and always on the side of labor🇺🇸

[@brianmclaughlin4419]

He seems a mediocre intellect to me couched in unfounded assertions and coached in Socialism.

[@ericpfeiffer4037]

What’s unfounded about what he’s saying? You don’t seem to even know what socialism is. I’d hardly call a Rhode Scholar a mediocre intellect. Let’s compare your achievements by all means.

[@John-jd7mm]

@@brianmclaughlin4419 Only socialism will save the working class Only socialism will save the country Only socialism will save democracy Only socialism will save the planet Capitalism destroys all of the above... this is FACT.

[@OgeronimonominoregO]

Socialists politicized labor in the early days because it's a necessary part of their underlying class-struggle schtick. They have to have oppressors and oppressed else they can't divide and conquer the masses. This strategy had little success in the west so they turned to finding oppressors and oppressed outside of economic classes. They continue to use economics to try to woo people into surrendering their wealth and liberties, but it only works on a certain percentage of the population. There's no power base there still in what remains of the west. That's why you get all this other socialist propaganda on every conceivable social issue nowadays. Even 'gender' is now politicized in the most insane way that few ever could have predicted. So, in terms of why Trump is popular, one answer I would give is that he seems to know the difference between a man and a woman, and this resonates with the portion of the population that is still somewhat rational.

[@EricStanway-ky9ys]

I had a long conversation with Robert Reich when he was a dark horse candidate for Mass. Governor, and I was a newspaper editor. Smartest guy I ever met, beyond question.

[@kenashworth7672]

What is a "dark horse candidate?" I don't know the expression.

[@captainspock6221]

"ronald reagan murdered the american dream" - Hunter S. Thompson

[@debc2237]

A lot of Brits thought Margaret Thatcher was a financial savior but North Sea oil came on line as she took office. She had nothing to do with it any improvement.

[@lyndakaye5198]

F A C T !!!

[@eleanormedina6703]

Reagan's people'S actually tried to replicate the assassination of Kennedy.. yet the secret service ...Reagan was berated during office about great acting not.real journalists were already bought up. Nixon days. Can't win? Buy them.Those lazy heirs.Every heir was bought instead of protecting the family history.Shame on the future generations. YES I UNDERSTAND THE LAZINESS OF THE HEIRS JUST NOT GIVING A DAMN AND TALKING ABOUT I AM A BRAND.in name only.😂 All my oil clothes made r not going to be held for liability. 😂organization of labor is dead.Hey Reich what union do you belong too?

[@yourdaddy-mq4km]

​@@lyndakaye5198you say that like life didn't get drastically better after Reagan

[@johnrider4649]

@@yourdaddy-mq4km It did not. Reagan / Trickle Down Economics accelerated this present divided wealth and increasing fascism.

[@Angelavancott]

Omg. He is explaining what I have been trying to say ever since Regan became president! I am 80 years old and have witnessed the destruction of the middle class by Big Business republicans since the early 80s!

[@edwardhardy3469]

Ronald Regan really got the ball rolling.

[@henrimatisse7481]

people only want happy news or news that favors their position.

[@fritzforsthoefel8031]

It's democrats who is destroying us here is the proof when taxes were raised by a large amount by Eisenhower it took one person working to support a family of four after the big tax increase it soon went to two people working to support a family of four a big drop in liveing standards now with government bigger than ever before and more regulations on business than ever before two people working struggle to support a family of four and our debt grows by seven percent a year our economy little over two this is unsustainable and will destroy our nation because of Democrat greed vote out handout Democrats before it's to late our childrens future depend on it

[@juliemissick4206]

Republicans are still trying to tell the average American middle and lower income earners that Reagan’s trickle down economics is in our best interest. It’s only in the interest of wealthy Americans and large corporations.

[@rtm365bnc]

Or the Hate, anger and chaos caucus

[@cynthiavddcschhxharris7040]

That was the best explanation I've heard thus far on why there are voters for Trump. Still can't believe they believe it though. So sad.

[@lissalaliberte65]

Thank you for your clarity in explaining a trend that has mystified me since 2015. I grew up in a strongly pro-union household in a largely pro-union area. It came as a genuine shock to learn that even among my own generation, not every school system educated students on the history of and benefits hard-won by unionization. Your discussion links the subjects in a profound and enlightening fashion. Thank you.

[@kathryncooper4001]

I was creamed by The Crash of 2008 -- lost my career, my health insurance, and almost all of my retirement investments at the age of 61. The government bailed out Wall St. and Corporate America, but private citizens had to find a way to recover independently. I had an affordable house, so my disabled son decided he needed to be my housemate and share all living expenses. I cooked from scratch, baked my own bread, started using homemade laundry detergent and hung my clothes outdoors to dry. We grew our own fruits and vegetables and gave up all single-use disposable paper and plastic products. My daughter jokes that I'm an escapee from a hippie commune. She's a Trumper, and despises me for my political and economic views. I'm financially okay now, still watching every dime. My town still has tent communities of seniors who never recovered ... but GM is doing just fine.

[@flyrobin2544]

The party that causes the homeless tent populations, screams the loudest about the nasty homeless tent camps. :(

[@barrywassel3899]

Hopefully your daughter will one day wake up from the "word drugs" tRump spreads around. And I sincerely congratulate you and your coping mechanisms, Kathryn. If that had happened to tRumpie, he would just cry and fill his diaper in a senior's home until someone fed him.

[@privacylock855]

Who are you voting for?

[@elizabethsohler6516]

In re: Your daughter. I'm sorry for your loss.

[@andrewzcolvin]

Your daughter has been poisoned by fascism. Such a shame.

[@mswetra2610]

Thank you so much for bringing up unions. I worked for a multimillion dollar corporation as an Executive Assistant. Part of my job was to post anti union propaganda. I was sent weekly anti union propaganda newsletters to share with all managers. This same company had very few full time employees to avoid health insurance costs. I could go on and on about the anti worker policies. I encourage all young people, starting with my own daughter to only work for unionized companies. If they aren't for you they are against you regardless of the BS crumbs they throw you. Vote!!

[@spackar2720]

I work for a large corporation and my job is a union position. Thanks to the union, I get a guaranteed raise and bonus every year, comprehensive, low-cost health insurance, excellent retirement benefits, protection against unfair discipline/being fired or laid off, and a say in policies and procedures. For me, being in a union provides a balance of power between employee and employer. The benefits outweigh the costs. However, I know that not all unions are as beneficial as the one that I am a member of.

[@ivansalazar5448]

Robert Reich is not a clearvoyant. Or a fortune teller, but a common sense, truly educated wiseman!

[@fritzforsthoefel8031]

If you vote Democrat why do you not pay enough taxes for the social programs they want we have a debt so big it defies belief because you won't pay for the handouts Democrats want

[@fritzforsthoefel8031]

Our debt is bigger than our entire economy

[@fritzforsthoefel8031]

Our bond status was downgraded for the first time ever under Obama and Biden interest payments alone is nearly a trillion dollars the imf just recently issued a warning about our debt we are leaving our children a bankrupt shell of a nation some Democrats don't care some Democrats just can't see past the next handout vite out handout Democrats before it's to late our childrens future depend on it

[@allenf.5907]

@@fritzforsthoefel8031 Private debt levels are building fast, and hit new records this year. Credit card debt just passed $1 trillion for the first time ever, according to Federal Reserve data.

[@craiganderson7986]

You can thank the Republicans for that.

[@axelmunt3084]

A highly enlightening talk. The argument saying "People feel the game is rigged against them, and only a messiah can break the downward spiral" makes a lot of sense in explaining the appeal for Donald Trump. Thank you very much

[@wuxin5847]

bs this video is just making excuses for these right wing bigots - first of all trump most loyal supporters are well to do - that is why they have the money to travel to all his rallies and they all were at the jan 6 attempt to over turn the election - next all the problems that the less well to do trump supporters complain about are because their bigotry forces them to support polices that hurt them - so how is voting trump whose polices hurt them is going to solve their problems - they are driven by hatred and bigotry - they all have decent lives they are no disenfranchised in any way - this goes back to the civil war - stop pretending this stared in the 80s- i am 65 was alive during jim crow - stop apologizing for these hateful bigots Reply

[@khulgarulfsson8067]

Yep. The problem is real. Ordinary Americans are getting screwed by the rich and powerful. The bigger problem is that Trump is going to make it even worse. Trump will rig the system even more and Trump will exploit the system even more. The vast majority of people are voting against their own best interests when they’re voting for Trump. At least 90%, probably more than 99% of Trump voters are screwing themselves by voting Trump.

[@moe47988]

It doesn't really explain anything, because Reich can't see anything past his own personal bubble.

[@Danks-vz5xz]

The support he has accrued, is a testament to how bad the education system is here in the US. Ever notice he has the most support in desolate, rural areas, where the education is not as proficient. When education lacks, critical thinking goes out the window. Why do you think they believe everything he says?

[@kevinscudder5058]

The (POORLY EDUCATED) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWqpZ3h3grWer5Ysi=xQ9U4zyK2dra_rrY

[@tswanson7791]

So true.

[@chrisdonovan8795]

Bingo. I said the same thing. My only addition is that this has been in motion for decades. Look up Asimov's essay about the cult of ignorance.

[@spir5102]

This is why Republicans fight education funding so hard!

[@eabryn]

Yes it follows the old saying - keep them ignorant and keep them voting for you. Sadly it’s a repeat of the general situation that drove our ancestors to flee to the new world. Greed and indifference is lethal.

[@kathypariso6102]

In 1979 the minimum wage in OH was $5.15/ hour. In 2019, the minimum wage in OH was $8.55/ hour. Barely a $3.00 increase in 40 years! You can totally thank Republicans for that; the party of greed and grievance. Under Fascism (Trump) this will only get worse!

[@mariancruceru6826]

in the 90'S in Ga. was $ 4.25/hrs!

[@behr121002]

Spot on! 👌

[@wisecoconut5]

Kansas still uses the federal minimum wage of $7.25, which was established in 2009. I feel your pain!

[@JenniferStokes-lw5pm]

No....The minimum wage was $3.30 an hour in Ohio. I know, I was a teen then and made that!

[@littlebitofhope1489]

Adjust it for time, and it's even worse. If they had just adjusted for inflation, even $5 would now be $24.91 per hour. So that is not an increase but a $17 loss. You CANNOT forget to adjust.

[@rickw9169]

The difference between Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump was Bernie was telling people what they needed to hear where Trump was telling them things they wanted to hear.

[@fritzforsthoefel8031]

Are you kidding Bernie Sanders talks about the free things you would get from the government if you voted for him free free free and let our children pay for it all that's the Democrat way adults living off our children

[@Kinakone-hx9gy]

Bernie has only said what he needed to say to grift a fortune from politics from those naive enough to believe he will go anywhere to help anyone but himself, while Trump is willing to spend himself broke to defend the country from those trying to stuff electoral seats by way of census counting illegals now overwhelming ALL of our major cities. Big difference, indeed.

[@nsnopper]

Yes. Obvious, yet paradoxically not so obvious. This has been overlooked.

[@fritzforsthoefel8031]

Sanders tells you that you can have free things

[@fritzforsthoefel8031]

Sanders says his brand of socialism is like Swedens if you vote for Sanders why do you not pay taxes like swedish people do

[@justme-zm2vv]

I so admire Mr. Reich's comments and his insight in this crazy political circus, especially with the orange Clown as ring Master. His views are always spot on! THANK YOU

[@kennonmoen4424]

This explains a lot, but it doesn’t explain the single-issue voters who are willing to throw democracy under the bus in support of their ideology.

[@williamgalloway]

The Trump supporters that I know weren't involved or all that interested in the political process before Trump. Most of them don't understand or care how the government operates - for instance how a bill becomes law. They certainly don't understand ideology. "Liberal" to them is nothing more than an insult they throw around like "snow flake". They don't know what fascism is I've heard them use fascist, Communist and socialist interchangeably. They support Trump simply because he told them it was okay to be an asshole. They don't have to be "politically correct" or "woke". He promised to protect them from "the blacks" and the scary LGBT community. He promised to build a wall to keep the brown people out and keep the white people safe.

[@ZenLoops]

We’ve single handedly destroyed our home off the backs of our children for bread and entertainment. Guess we will go to mars or pandora before we even reflect on what we have done to ourselves. That explains the throw out “democracy” vote. Democracy for what?

[@tomrhodes1629]

read my comment elsewhere on this video if you want the answer.....

[@followyournature]

Tribalism, mostly.... but, also ignorance. Many fall for the siren song and just want to belong to the loudest - perceived as strongest - tribe, and at any cost. Thousands of years ago, they would not have made it and passed on their genes. Sadly, we are now stuck dealing with these lowlifes.

[@christophercelmer405]

Most supporters are religious fundamentalists and therefore like worshipping an authoritative figure. However, most of what they engage with is surface level and performative. Therefore, they often have no strong conviction to their principles so long as they feel it gives them a better position over others.

[@jonncockrell3606]

The concentration of wealth, ownership,and power continues unabated while we ponder the causes of Fascism and the Cult of Personality that is today's GOP.

[@debc2237]

Financial deregulation.

[@yourdaddy-mq4km]

It's a reflection of the uniparty that is trying to jail Trump

[@Chez8922-kf6cy]

We've all played the Game of Monopoly and seen how it ends. America is getting to the end of the Monopoly game.

[@blackwind743]

I can just imagine Gorbachev sitting and listening to Ronald Reagan's plan for the country and thinking "You mean all I have to do is sit here and do nothing and this fool will destroy his own country? This has to be too good to be true."

[@thelakeman5207]

When an election turns into a movement, like MAGA, the propaganda keeps the movement afloat. People believe, because they want to believe. Truth is pushed to the side.

[@gnegrich4657]

Mr. Reich you were the best labor secretary we have had as long as i have been working which is about 45 years.I didn't realize how prescient you were! Keep up the good fight!

[@arthurrose6473]

Telling it like it is- greed over Democracy

[@ernaneumann3740]

Very informative & prescient discussion.

[@peterjohnson1734]

We're a Constitutional Republic rather than a democracy!

[@user-yb5bg8im5g]

it's a market economy in a constitutional republic. this is why we can not take you kids seriously...

[@JanePilkington]

Greed is killing our country.

[@Pablo-gl9dj]

​​@@JanePilkingtonnot greed but envy. And stupidity

[@lynnjudd9036]

You are so right. Wages have gotten so far behind,. There is almost no such thing as pensions and unions so people can afford to retire. People have responded to this with anger and fear which fuels the path to dictatorship.

[@yourdaddy-mq4km]

Wages are behind because you still believe in the democrats.

[@michaelcap9550]

Unions killed many cities with their greed.

[@groovee63]

Per democrats !!! What do you think comes from open borders?surely you are blind and deaf

[@RB-kr1ww]

@lynnjudd9036 Exactly right. Trump, as bad as he is, is not the problem, he is a symptom. As a scarily relevant example, Hitler came to power even though he was considered a bit of a joke at the time, (sound familiar?) because of the horrendous economic conditions imposed upon Germany after WWI.

[@catherinepatton8699]

You bet it does.

[@ApolloSuns]

Unions are coming back! Let's support class solidarity and come together

[@paddyholly2184]

The Autoworkers negotiated a raise of approx. 25%!!! That's HUGE!

[@the_aesthete]

✊✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏿

[@itsajahthing]

Workers need a voice...unions give them that...

[@ruthwhall3020]

Trump hates unions ,trump hates everything and everyone except himself.

[@ApolloSuns]

@@paddyholly2184 yea! Love to see that. There is so much wealth in this world that everyone should be able to prosper

[@gyrogearloose1345]

Wow! That's incredible to hear Prof Reich speaking about the situation thirty years ago, and his chilling prediction . . .

[@jimlongo3317]

Holly SHIT ! Robert Reich i have always liked and respected you ! Man you hit the nail on the Head 99.9 % of the time . Thank you for what you do and being a Great American !

[@kathybullock5538]

Because people have no idea what living under a Dictatorship is like.

[@patland1762]

I have always believed strongly in my heart one reason we should be grateful for immigrants, legal or illegal, is they are the only ones in this country who know what it is NOT to live in a Democracy.

[@buslady6695]

We might well find out, if Trump actually gets elected. I truly believe that is his goal. He is so full of hate and vindictiveness towards people he believes have done him harm.

[@tonyjones1560]

Fascism is a monster that eats its’ young. Some people won’t realize this until they find out the hard way and it’s NEVER pretty.

[@seanhraba747]

Ask David Hogg about that.

[@JeffGatto]

…night of the long knives. And that's amongst the psychopaths, not real people.

[@Wombat-gm4ne]

As an Australian in Australia at the start of the Covid pandemic as a CEO of a company with over 1,000 workers I realised we could be in for a very rough times with a very big drop in sales revenue - I said to our CFO that our most valuable asset is our workers, they are what makes our business successful, I asked our CFO to develop a financial plan that would allow us to retain all of our staff through the pandemic, then I emailed all our staff to explain the dire situation and our plan to keep everyone employed but with the proviso that if our sales fell all staff including me the CEO and all management would have a pay reduction until the pandemic was over - this plan was extremely well received by all staff, the huge benefit for the business was at the end of the recession we had all our highly skilled staff still employed and we could immediately return to 100% production.

[@asuka_the_void_witch]

lmao you're a CEO? L

[@lzrd8460]

👏👏👏👏👏👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@platinaatje6134]

The same line the Dutch government took. As much as possible keep the employees employed so after the crisis you still have your qualified workforce. This strategy has worked out great, and employers still had their workers and did not have to put a lot of effort in building up a qualified staff from scratch.

[@platinaatje6134]

@@asuka_the_void_witch It seems that at this moment a lot of Americans think that stupidity is a virtue. These folks have a club named the GOP. Seems you are a member.

[@you2bforall]

Be careful, your fellow CEOs are going to have you committed.

[@yopacific]

It’s not about Trump anymore. It’s about the Ilk that supports him.

[@peterjohnson1734]

Better than the brainless ilk who support the walking cadaver!

[@ericsahagun5344]

I only agree with you on one half of your statement the ilk It is definitely about them and the ilk are individuals like Steve Bannon Mike Flynn Rudy Giuliani Sydney Powell and all those claiming that the 2020 election was a fraud and of course the illustrious Donald J Trump who still screams that he was cheated after being beaten by 7 million Americans who voted against him and no it wasn't illegal immigrants No it wasn't dead people Oh correction Yes for found by the Ninja turtles and investigating body of Republicans who said they were going to take 5 weeks to investigate the five deciding states and they were looking for bamboo shoots soy sauce Jewish lasers and satellites that changed the vote from Trump to Biden but it took him 5 months and you got to take your head off to them even if you are a Republican and even if you are a Democrat they could have lied but they didn't and because they're loyalty was to the Constitution and democracy they said in truth and they were sure they were going to find malfeasans they found nothing let me repeat that They found NOTHING... Supporting the claim of Donald Trump that there was voter fraud therefore Donald Trump and all the Republican corporations billionaires supporting the so-called right have been able to prove with one single shred of proof after 71 investigations 66 of them being done by the 66 quarts that Donald Trump petitioned for voter fraud where the 233 judiciaries Trump personally appointed and they all told him in 2021 Thank you for the appointment Mr former president former being the optimum word here for appointing us to preside in 66 Courts across the land But you failed to provide three essential pieces of facts in order for us to give you your day in court PROOF EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONY TO COOBERATE YOUR CLAIM! THEREFORE FAILING TO DO SO NOT EVEN AILEEN CANNON IN FLORIDA WAS ABLE TO GIVE HIM HIS DAY IN COURT ALL SHE'S DOING NOW IS TO STOP THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE TO POSTPONE ANY TRIAL OF DONALD TRUMP STEALING TOP SECRET AND SENSITIVE DOCUMENTS FROM WASHINGTON THAT HE CLAIMS WERE DECLASSIFIED IN HIS MIND AND NOT TO CLASSIFIED FOR THE DEPARTMENTS OF WHICH HE STOLE THEM FROM TRUST ME I AM NO LEGAL SCHOLAR BUT I'LL BET YOU ALL THE TEA IN CHINA NO PRESIDENT FROM WASHINGTON TO BIDEN CAN DECLASSIFY TOP SECRET DOCUMENTS SIMPLY IN YOUR MIND THE DEPARTMENT THAT CLASSIFIED THEM HAVE TO DECLASSIFIED THEM AND ONLY PERSONAL PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS IS IT ONLY RELATE TO A PRESIDENT CAN HE DECLASSIFY AND EVEN THAT'S IFFY ... CAPICHE!

[@robertanderson9375]

What about the Left being the New Nazis supporting and financing Antisemitism in America? The only Presidents in the 20th century acting like dictators, Fascista, were people like Woodrow Wilson, FDR, Teddy Roosevelt. Progressives ( today's Left) supported Nazis. They advocated Eugenics. The Left "ilk" is far scarier than Trump supporters. Like most Leftist leaders, losers like Reich sell this idea that Trump is seeking dictatorship and that his supporters are desperate. Hardly. Reich is also selling bullshit right now. Home ownership was up for years and has only ticked down slightly in recent years. Standard of living has improved vastly for decades. Riech is a conman Socialist pedaling Propaganda.

[@pickleballer1729]

So true! I don't get it. My comment above, relates to this: "Reich is certainly a smart guy, but none of this explains why the people that feel so abused by the establishment are the very people who have benefited most from the status quo. I live in the one district in Colorado that supports Trump, and our average income here is probably one of the highest in the entire country. Why are these people passionately working to destroy the very system that gave them such enviable lives?"

[@fritzforsthoefel8031]

It's Democrat programs that Democrats won't pay enough taxes for that is destroying us we have a debt so big it defies belief it's at record peacetime levels under Biden the imf just recently issued a warning about our debt our interest payments alone is nearly a trillion dollars our bond status was downgraded under Obama and Biden for the first time ever and all because you won't pay enough taxes for the handouts Democrats want vote out handout Democrats before it's to late our childrens future depend on it

[@amyrashap5713]

Love me some Robert Reich. So smart, so unassuming and so RIGHT.

[@joevignolor4u949]

Plainly put, many of us are tired of watching some people eat caviar, live in mansions, sail around in yachts, have personal physicians and send their kids to Ivy League universities while we struggle to buy groceries, keep a roof over our heads, own a reliable car to drive to work, go to a doctor and send our kids to college. Having a society filled with glutinous overconsumption on one end and grinding poverty on the other end is both unsustainable and dangerous.

[@georgedunkelberg5004]

BECAUSE SURVIVAL IS INSUFFICIENT!

[@eric2500]

Weirdly, I can remember that we spent at least two decades of the 80s and the 90s WATCHING these people live in their mansions and sail their yachts on TV and in the papers, while we kept the roofs over our heads just barely, our unions and pensions went away, our health got worse as we could not afford the good food and medicine...we bought the lie! *(I didn't, you didn't, but as a culture, we bought the lie!)*

[@ace448]

I disagree we are fine watching people do all those things what people are tired of is the inability for themselves to be that person.

[@rspro575]

Those are all very legitimate concerns. Trump can not and will not address any of them. He is about promoting his business interests and retribution to his stated enemies. He can not govern.

[@debc2237]

@@ace448 The physical Planet will not allow that.

[@bovinityleak2066]

Welfare for corporations that are wealthy- ok. Absent-father mothers on welfare - bad. 🙄

[@yourdaddy-mq4km]

Welfare is bad no matter who

[@kt798]

​@@yourdaddy-mq4kmthat is absolutely true... until situations change and you a hand.

[@yourdaddy-mq4km]

@@kt798 I've been there and I don't want anything from the government

[@aurelia5614]

@@yourdaddy-mq4km Not if you need it.

[@ellarweegadsden8483]

@@yourdaddy-mq4km You don't like welfare, but you aspire to be rich like the Waltons who never paid their employees enough so that they weren't eligible for welfare and food stamps. If we thought fathers in the home would help we'd never have set up welfare so they couldn't be in the home. Do you know how much a mom with 3 kids collects when she's on welfare? Why do we think that the people who get the least are the one's who're getting the most?

[@Gov4thePeople]

It all started in 1974 when Milton Friedman declared that the purpose of capitalism was to make shareholders rich- and everyone believed him.

[@Orson2u]

Oh, stop blaming Adam Smith!

[@RB-kr1ww]

The death of the American middle class began with the election of Reagan. You all worship him, because after the soul-searching precipitated by the Vietnam war debacle, he came on the scene and loudly once again, proclaimed how wonderful America was.

[@jj-sc1kq]

1919, Dodge vs ford. The courts ruled that a company's purpose was to make the shareholders rich.

[@fiachramaccana280]

Thank you for pointing out the original sin that started the current cycle of impoverishment of the majority. You are 100% correct.

[@fiachramaccana280]

@@jj-sc1kq sure it has always been there. But Milton kicked off the current attempt to reverse the progressive gains of the 20th century.

[@jons387]

I'm not from USA but what's been mentioned as to the erosion of the middle class and the process of it occuring over time, laid out as you did was amazing. I can visualise it and understanding the reasons... this process has been occuring world wide . The middle class was the powerhouse of an economy yet our politicians don't understand and see this. Very sad for us all and our kids

[@pressureworld1]

There is no compassion or empathy from politicians only greed.

[@greatone8013]

If I was considering buying a Tesla now it's completely off the table $40 billion dollars he could have kept every employee and get everybody a raise with that kind of money and still walked away with 20 billion

[@crainsuz]

I would never even consider buying a Tesla because I refuse to give any of my money to Elon Musk.

[@Ullumma]

They have all had at least one recall... I'll reconsider when they get out of Beta testing on the public!

[@lovemakestheworldgoround6726]

The prosperity and success of Tesla and it's owner are commendable. But the obscene wealth and craven greed of the owner is sickening.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Get a hybrid.

[@debc2237]

@@lovemakestheworldgoround6726 That seems to have become the definition of "success"... greed.

[@nedkent5239]

He couldn’t have done it, without the media amplifying his lies! Hungary elected a “strongman too”!

[@sonjaleesloth]

And that weirdo Argentinian right-wing leader. Italy has a female Hitler in charge now but that country goes back & forth in elections.

[@mariancruceru6826]

orban is too small, he wants to be a Putin!

[@radagastbrown9001]

Better politicians start with better voters.

[@annakingry9157]

Trump is a creation of the media. Always has been. Bankrupt all the time, accused of crimes all the time, complete incompetent. The media stood Trump up, and keeps him up.

[@jaynefinley]

I agree Ned. The media has given Trump so many passes. By normalizing his abhorrent behavior, never asking hard questions, the media fueled the monster.

[@melissaverduin3693]

Abolish Citizens United! Abolish the filibuster. Abolish the ELECTROL COLLEGE VOTE. We need the National Popular Vote 🗳

[@mn-ru4li]

Biden's America vetoed global majority on Palestine and Gaza in the UN...

[@Adogslife54]

And gerrymandering.

[@wendellbatts2477]

If you abolish the electoral college and force candidates to compete for every vote in te nation no matter where it resides, rather than competing for states, you will force both parties back to the middle where most Americans are and BELONG. I agree, abolish the electoral college at once.

[@zdzislawmeglicki2262]

"Abolish, abolish, abolish… the U.S. Constitution. Get rid of the Bill of Rights. Send all Conservatives to jails, and separate them from their children…" Well, this is exactly what fascism is. The Democrats and their brainwashed supporters have been America's real fascist party since its conception 200 years ago.

[@fritzforsthoefel8031]

Then small states will have no say

[@Momcat1960]

Robert Reich, thank you for all the great information and insights. ❤❤❤

[@franlove3490]

This is the best explanation of how we got from the 1970’s to today. But I don’t think most people understand it’s not Biden’s fault.

[@tonyjones1560]

One of the many things I find frightening about all this? There are people on the right who are old enough to know that Biden simply *couldn’t* have caused a lot of the current problems. The border crisis is a case in point. Generally speaking, Trump is a symptom, not a cause, of a cancer that’s been growing for 40 years. Unfortunately, it has reached the brain.

[@sway2382]

Biden is complicit at best. He may have tried to do some good things in the past 3 years, but he also helped create this mess we are in...

[@deepfocusinside4685]

Same here in Austria too, a majority of people always vote right wing parties since the eighties and there were a lot of scandals and corruption here too, but the right always blame the migrants for the problems and get reelected and can do politics for the rich. In the US also republicans made politics for the rich and massive tax cuts there, democrats were much more successful to reduce the deficit when they were in charge but republicans just lie and blame democrats for their poor economic performance without any facts behind these claims. So disgusting to see how this plays out and especially if you try to explain the facts to other people who are voting the political right, they don't even try to respond reasonable, they want to belief their claims and find the absurdest arguments to stay by these claims. I think we are mostly brainwashed by society and the corporations and media which influence it, to think in the way which is best suited for the people in power to become even more powerful, richer and criminal as they were.

[@user-fe8yp1rb9m]

He’s been a politician for what, 40 years? I don’t think did much to improve things. Problem is most federal politicians are bought and paid for. Look at some of their net worth on a government salary.

[@tonyjones1560]

@@user-fe8yp1rb9m I “googled” Joe Biden’s net worth. According to Forbes, he owns two houses at a combined value of $10 million. He was elected to the Senate at age 29, so that gives him 52 years of unbroken government service. I agree that most of our “leaders” are corrupt as hell! That said, given that Comer (and anyone else) has spectacularly failed to tie him to anything, I have to conclude that Biden has done poor job of stealing and taking bribes…

[@billtharp3374]

Robert Reich is a good example of a man using his talent, knowledge and ability to work making life better for others. A life’s work.

[@lonpollard902]

No, Reich is an individual who has expertise in one topic and thinks it makes them an expert on other topics. Much like we see with Elon Musk, and so many others. The hubris is breathtaking. There's so much, from a political perspective, that he pretends aren't there. We have tens of millions of theocrats in this country, and they vote according to Eamon religious views elevated to rule of law. 32% of Americans. The percentage is less than half that in the other advanced western nations. The rise of the theocratic right has a lot to do with how we got here. I marvel at how many ex-Republicans have now spoken out about the problem of theocracy in the Republican party. They aren't afraid to use terms such as theocrat, theocracy, etc. And yet there's this wing on the left that runs from such terms. Won't acknowledge the problem. Won't acknowledge what a threat to freedom it is. And that in itself is a serious problem. If he's going to speak politics, he needs to include the major political forces in this country. The ideologies. The number one predictor of someone being a Trump supporter is being authoritarian minded. One can't get at the roots of that through talking economics. I knew a business professor who claimed that he could understand everything, including the movement of the planets, through liking at everything as business transactions. Fortunately, NASA didn't use him for guiding space flight. It's that same sort of hubris. An intelligent person having so much knowledge on one subject that they believe their willful ignorance in another topic doesn't get in the way of them being expert on that other subject. Like Musk thinking he has any clue whatsoever regarding what freedom of speech actually entails. Or Zuckerberg & Co. flailing about with concepts of ethics and standards. Utterly clueless. Which detracts in no way from their actual intelligence, or the actual range of knowledge that they have.

[@JonPienaar]

The problem with unfettered capitalism, in a nutshell. The income gap in the Western world is shameful. The myth of Reaganomics has bankrupted the middle class.

[@itspersonal3351]

We love you Robert! Keep doing the good work! 🙏🏾🇺🇸💙

[@Mikejamiew]

I worked many years as top aide to a politician. When she started down the criminal path, I immediately quit. She ended up escaping prison because she got a sympathetic judge, although her husband was convicted. Our system needs to change...

[@shawna1278]

Who was convicted?

[@63Lsp]

As Heather shared she kind of “lucked out” in her situation in 2008, my family experienced the opposite- as you said, we had sunk so much into a home, and in 2008 our income stopped due to a health issue (that took a year to resolve ). Our country bailed out the banks and corporations, but no one helped us. We lost everything including our home (and sadly eventually our marriage). All we needed was a little time. Our banks literally wouldn’t even answer the phone. They disappeared (until we bailed them out). Our income was from a major airline which could’ve offered support knowing the health issue would resolve. Again, they declared bankruptcy, screwed employees and yet got bailed out. The ripples continue as our kids have unplanned college debt as they try to make their way as adults. As a country we don’t discuss this recent history because corporations don’t want to remind us *they* are the ones who didn’t pull themselves up by their bootstraps. *They* got the government handout. Their workers got screwed. Thanks for actually discussing! I may be disillusioned, but I know going authoritarian is the exact wrong way to go!! 💙

[@yourdaddy-mq4km]

Blue team is the ones giving those handouts.

[@5amiann]

It's not teams. That's what's wrong with the rightwingers. To them it's a game. It's people's lives.

[@yourdaddy-mq4km]

@@5amiann if it's not teams to you then why do you call them "right-wingers"

[@JvsSanders]

Ronald Reagan was the Antichrist

[@joanhalgren3502]

I am sorry for your losses due to the oligarchy in charge at the time. It's hard to forgive such blatant greed! I hope your kids can get help with their debt and find a good path. We cannot give up on making things better and not allowing greed and power to win--together the collective can and must unite.Thanks for sharing your story!

[@fredmontano9240]

I enjoy this program every week. Robert Reich is very knowledgeable and clear with his explanations and view of the future. Thank you for this uTube program.

[@itsglen9646]

If Bernie was the nominee in 2016 we would not be in this Trump nightmare. And we would have health care.

[@randyellis9460]

Socialize heath care is very weak....Dr's only get payed a small amount. And because of that, nobody has any incentive to find a cure for anything.....if you need proof, just look at Canada.....they rely on American Dr's for cures...

[@4014Thugsy]

@@randyellis9460 rolls eye's

[@randyellis9460]

@@4014Thugsy I know Buddy....the truth hurts...

[@4014Thugsy]

@@randyellis9460 That's why what you said doesn't hurt at all

[@mholland9330]

Since 1980, worker pay has increased 20%, executive pay increased 400%, corperate profit has increased 1500%. Totally lopsided economy and society.

[@fritzforsthoefel8031]

Do you believe in a livable wage

[@arturbello4213]

Total NOT true.

[@mholland9330]

@@fritzforsthoefel8031 A livable wage is what gave us the middle class in America, and unions are the only country wide organizations that are still fighting for a livable wage for the working class.

[@TimBear-px9gj]

That's why whenever I see someone and get into a conversation, when we're done talking and say goodbye, I always say (for 40 years now) *_"Don't work too hard, nobody pays good enough for that..."_*

[@user-ff4lr2jj5r]

@@fritzforsthoefel8031 The point is you cannot have a livable wage with those figures.

[@universallyinsync]

Robert Reich, you have my respect for your work in our country & always being a voice of reason.

[@thomastucker5686]

When is the last time you heard him criticize Biden? If he hasn't, he is useless.

[@goazer2]

Given that everything I've heard him say for the last 5 years has been a flagrant lie he does not have my respect.

[@sebastianlaplume461]

@@goazer2source?

[@goazer2]

@@sebastianlaplume461 You can compare his and Thomas Sowell's videos on minimum wage, then look at what is actually happening in California which just did a big minimum wage increase. A guy called mentiswave did a video about his video on greedflation. The debunkers video on Reich's video about getting rid of the electoral college. Not the most intellectually rigorus video but it doesn't really need to be if you understand anything about the electorial college you know that the idea it should be subverted or abolished is insane. There's more but those are what I have handy.

[@sebastianlaplume461]

@@goazer2 the electoral college is a prototype that fails to represent, it was not well thought out. We can elect the president the same way we elect everyone else. Look at Germany’s election system if you need a perfect real world representation on how voting should be done. When the system was put in place there weren’t good alternatives so they spitballed something, we have alternatives now that simply are just better and should use them. I agree minimum wage is an effort to fight the symptoms, not the cause of the problem. Scandinavian countries mostly don’t have minimum wage because their labor sector is stacked with unions and if companies can’t glue themselves to the minimum wage, they’re forced to be competitive. Their heavy social programs also aid in that. If the US is going to be so interventionist that it can’t even call itself an open market anymore, we can at least implement the strong programs and labor protections other controlled economies enjoy.

[@investorsam]

That intro was so powerful. Seeing Robert predict the future way back in 94 is such a powerful attention grabber. That clip is a gold mine, Robert, take this feedback to your inequality media team and make the most of it. It's really prescient, and it effectively creates trust that you know what you:re talking about.

[@690169016901]

I worked at sears Canada for 10 yrs. It was well known you would get fired if you wanted to join a union. They ended up going bankrupt as we all watched them sell assets the decade prior. There was a pension plan we paid into but people ended up losing about 20% of there retirement payments. I was very happy to leave about 4 yrs before the bankruptcy

[@svenkaahedgerg3425]

It is not just in the US. It is widespread, unfortunately

[@jacquirimown3886]

If you’re trying to figure out how read the book Stolen Focus by Johann Hari. It helps explain why so many Americans are falling for the conman.

[@sks1258]

So true. People have stopped thinking for themselves.

[@ontrada]

As an American, when I look at other developed (and even some developing) countries, it seems that they are doing so much more for their people in regards to social safety nets, etc. Your comment surprises me, but I believe it.

[@celiawaddell4526]

I would like to hear more global situations, professor.

[@mariondean8499]

⁠Please elaborate.

[@Shadow1-cf7nw]

I love to listen to Reich talk about the last 40+ years, and why we are where we are today. He makes so much sense!

[@joanhalgren3502]

Reich speaks the same views as Marianne Williamson, who's on the ballot for president in about 40 states; yet, I am not aware of him ever mentioning her positions that are no different than his. Perhaps, we was too concerned about the fragmentation among voters that he feared would weaken the incumbents chances and/or popularity still frail.

[@JohnVandenberg-qe4yz]

prescient you were. I appreciate your thoughts, your voice.

[@joannnelson9847]

It's actually 40 percent of Republicans, not of all of Americans.... there are many of us who know what's been going on!!!! VOTE BLUE AMERICA!!!!

[@dennisplatte7506]

Vote for who you want-----. But trying to tell others how to vote makes you seems pretty lame. Tell then to vote for who they want to have as their president. Or better yet----we will mostly all be voting agaisn't someone we really---really don't want. I think 80% of us----don't want either candidate. At least we have a 3rd party candidate or two out there.

[@AK-qd7up]

If you're referring to jfk jr he's just a magat in disguise.​@@dennisplatte7506

[@alf23wlf]

Typo: 80 percent of Republicans. But, VOTE BLUE, AMERICAN! @dennisplatte7506 - One candidate, Trump, explicitly, wants to violate the Constitution, meaning that our rights will be evicerated. Dissidents will be locked up. Violence will be meted to quiet down the public. Bothsidesism is truly unwise.

[@Don-md6wn]

It's far more than 40% of Republicans. It's probably 90% of Republicans. Republicans are perhaps 40% of Americans so that would put the hard core Trump MAGA base at 36% of the population or so. Maybe another 8-10% hold their noses and vote for Trump because they stupidly believe him to be the lesser of 2 evils.

[@chiggins4399]

​@@dennisplatte7506At this time your third party candidate is a throw away vote. President Biden isn't a god. He's an honorable man trying to take care of ALL Americans. Allowing your local government to be hijacked by these jackals is the start of your problems. President Biden is the obvious choice and the one we need now. Open your eyes. No one is telling you how to vote. It's their opinion. If a bad vote only affected you it wouldn't matter. VOTE BLUE!

[@elisabethpine3420]

When companies don't think of their employees as human beings, they themselves are not human beings.

[@user-yt3so4pk7u]

We have to get rid of Citizen’s United, the Electoral College, & the filibuster. VOTE 100% BLUE no 3rd party no Nikki voters

[@patland1762]

Yes but under the law they are treated like human beings.

[@nancycollins5172]

@@user-yt3so4pk7u - No RFK Jr. voters, either!

[@WakeUpAmerican000s]

The crooked SCOTUS says that judicial entities like Corporations and Unions are people and therefore have all rights that human persons have in the Bill of Rights. Though the SCOTUS ruled this nonsense in the 2010 Citizens United disaster, we have yet to see a CEO whose company went bankrupt be prosecuted for murder, or a startup Corporation that runs out of money and is aborted be prosecuted under Dobbs. The right-wing-nuts have weaponized the 1st Amendment to the detriment of our entire democratic system.

[@debrap7137]

Ah, the SCOTUS disagrees. "Corporations are people."

[@dan007ification]

Robert is a national treasure. From the uk

[@JeanBetker]

I love you Robert Reich! You are one of the sane voices in our insane ridiculousness we see in our country today. Please, please keep up what you’re are doing. Our democracy depends depends on it!!

[@chrisqueen3118]

This is excellent. My husband and I raised 2 kids and put them through college during the decades of stagnating wages. I couldn't work because he got stuck on the afternoon shift and I only had 2 hours between him leaving for work and the kids getting home from school. GM had stopped hiring and plants were closing. Jobs were going overseas. We never felt secure. BUT we have a pension, excellent health insurance and a life insurance policy on each of us. We feel more secure in retirement than in his 40 years of employment, plus we have some savings from the part time job I finally had time to fit in. Thank you, UAW ❣️ And I'm keeping my Volt.

[@jenshall]

”Those who don’t remember the past are condemed to repeat it.” George Santayana 1905

[@claudiamoore7929]

Oh my gosh Mr rice I just happened to tap on this podcast against the title caught my attention it's so good to see you sir and I'm adding you to my list actually I read what you post everyday and you've got to be most one of the most sane people on this planet love you God bless you and thank you

[@marcovegt2147]

It’s about time we face this dilemma. Good for you! Love this.!

[@of9490]

The idea that corporate greed would trickle down is crazy.

[@leptonsoup337]

SOMETHING trickled down...

[@lonpollard902]

What's crazy is thinking that that explains the theocratic right, fascist right, and white nationalist right.

[@mikewilliams6025]

@@lonpollard902 What a loon

[@timwarneka5681]

Yes. And we knew that in the 80s when we were first offered this trickle down nonsense.

[@williambell4576]

Sound like Reagan.,,trickle down economics

[@lunarmodule6419]

Please Robert continue relentlessly explaining what happened 40 years ago! Reagan, Thatcher, right wing think tanks, salary stagnation, de-unionisation, tax reductions for the rich/enterprises, the middle class shrinking, etc.

[@meeraj-4774]

You forgot money printing and devaluing currency

[@user-df6mf9mb2l]

You said it, 1980 was the turning point.

[@debc2237]

@@user-df6mf9mb2l And Thatcher looked good because North Sea oil came on tap as she took power.

[@ktm9202]

Tax cuts for the wealthy & big corporations by every Republican administration since Reagan. Effectively transferring US Wealth to the wealthiest and weakening the Middle Class and everyone else. Republicans hate for FDR New Deal & later expansion by Johnson.

[@e.1766]

Yup! I'm constantly sharing these vids, so ppl Understand the Facts. Trump supporters will still argue. It's funny. Jesus Himself could come to Earth (like they want & all), & they're so busy hunched over Trump Bibles, w/ their Trump Sneakers, & Trump Prison Wine (up & coming) that they wouldn't even notice

[@johnoriel4241]

I haven't heard the term "coffee klatsch" since my Mom used it when I was a kid. Thank you for this valuable content.

[@papajeff5486]

Mr Reich, thank you for taking a fairly complicated subject and helping us understand. You have a unique perspective that takes us back and forth through some history, once mentioned we remember, that makes today’s situation sensible. May God be with you and with us. As long as you’re with us I feel His presence. Thanks from East Tennessee.

[@qa377]

When companies started thinking of workers as cost/liability instead of value/asset, that was a big problem

[@Sus-tz7fq]

Please don’t forget that we are dealing with the fact that MAGA appeals strongly to (the now very vocal) racist, misogynist, and homophobic elements of our nation. Thanks for this great content. Keep it up.

[@myleslong5584]

Considering that your comment describes 40-50% of the voting population (hopefully,less than that) what does that say about the U.S. ?

[@willarth9186]

Keep calling me RACIST, MISOGYNIST and HOMOPHOBIC and know why I vote AGAINST YOU!

[@yourdaddy-mq4km]

​@@myleslong5584it doesn't say anything because it's a lie.

[@danielpupo7013]

@@yourdaddy-mq4km you may believe it's a lie if you want but then you would be denying reality.

[@noitall13]

@@myleslong5584 Just ask Bill Maher about American intelligence.

[@julieleed8976]

You make my day, Robert Reich! It’s hard to manage my rage these days, as poverty has been harder to put a dent in for those affected, I’d know. I often had enough to frequently support the homeless and hungry; however it has become a choice now. I can get my teeth fixed, or continue as possible, but it’s breaking me down. Compassion fatigue. Julie

[@philfoggs5357]

This was most enlightening. Profit sharing was the reason many people stayed with companies for 20 to 30 years because they were made part of the process and so took pride in what they did.

[@greg6500]

Bad culture and poor education.

[@patbelcher6738]

more like lack of both - culture and education

[@brianmi40]

"Culture" doesn't even come close to the realization that Big Business was handed the keys, starting with Reagan tax cuts, and moving right on through Clinton's "age of Big Government is over" as government was slowly stripped of almost all power.

[@lindabalent2755]

Especially poor education.

[@michaelcap9550]

@@lindabalent2755 NEA and the devil who leads it.

[@williambell4576]

And when you look at it, best foundation.😮

[@jefferyward2246]

Thank you Mr Reich for sharing your knowledge and wisdom along with insight you are a true patriot.

[@katherinecooper6159]

Have not heard anything from Rober Reich since my surgeries and I miss him. So educational.

[@aaron8381]

I loved hearing his clear, historical explanation of why we the middle class in America are in our current state of affairs. So wisely spoken with his real life experience and keen intellect. It is depressing to hear the truth of how the middle class has become what it is today, but he finalized his message with an infusion of hope for what the future can be if we give Joe Biden more time to do his work with a second term, while rejecting Don the Con. Fantastic message, just the plain truth. Thank you.

[@janpesek4862]

That clip from 30 years ago is chilling to watch now and realize what was predicted then is a reality now. Just FYI, this radicalization of society and fierce tribalism is not unique issue to America, Europe suffers from similar fate for exactly same reason as described in the old clip.

[@claudiabenedetti353]

Thank you for your wise voice 💙💙💙💙💙🙏🙏🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@jc9700]

Also the dynamic of the family in which the wife was the homemaker but then entered the work force was driven by the banks by introducing the credit card to the middle class. Credit is debt for this argument. Debit creates the need for more income.

[@rent7142]

Just found this channel and I'm hooked. You remind me America is not so bad. 🇦🇺

[@DESIGNATED_DARKHORSE]

Dude absolutely NAILED IT 30 years ago.

[@rubytuesday4564]

Just too liberal economically for the workers. He had the American people's awareness but pulled too hard. So, as above, the trees kept voting for the axe. Reagan caused directly the Savings and Loan collapses, nationwide, because he too releasted the supervisorial hand.

[@RaymondMorii-gs5vr]

Nature of our beasts

[@RaymondMorii-gs5vr]

BIDEN,also should be on TRIALS

[@RaymondMorii-gs5vr]

To our American cultures Cars are much more important than Books

[@RaymondMorii-gs5vr]

To our American cultures Cars are much more important than Books

[@clalmeida67]

Hi from Portugal! 🆘️ Americans, please don't let trumpy win!!

[@grizzlybear4]

We won't!

[@GeorgeRodrigues-xb6bo]

FORCA PORTUGAL

[@lindagarland5223]

Many of us are working hard to get out EVERY blue vote. 🗳 Our country can kiss democracy goodbye, if we don't win in November. The consequences of other will be horrible for the World!

[@user-xn1ry8qg3n]

The Don will never be elected to anything again unless his prison mates decide he should be in charge of lunch seating.

[@itsajahthing]

Looking from an objective pov; does it look that bleak to you that it could happen again? I'm concerned if he wins, but more concerned if he doesn't because of the possibility it would be deja vu all over again...God forbid!

[@gbacrila]

Ah, Robert. So glad to have found you here on KZbin. I'll definitely be back ❤

[@erin19030]

I defended democracy with my life in Nam, it’s sad to see the outcome made by Americas lowest form of life, the Republican Party.

[@nolslifegren]

No you helped murder innocent vietnamese people and crank up profits for the Fortune 500 . Dont kid yourself

[@everettputerbaugh3996]

The unfortunate truth is that the Republican Party could not have done this by themselves. The issue is that career politicians spending half of each day begging wall street for campaign contributions. What are these politicians expected to do for that money. We live in a transactional society, after all.

[@CantankerousDave]

His superpower is his ability to turn other people into copies of himself. He's exactly like a cancer cell.

[@behr121002]

An apt compparison!👌

[@ruthwhall3020]

I'm not to sure ,but what does scare me is someone with more charisma than trump coming along ,because if people can fall for this decrepit old whale,so easily them I think the next one will trun the US into a dictatorship, DeSantis is could be that person in 4 yrs time 😢

[@garyneilson3075]

Very interesting, and I see now that Satan does that too, 1John 5:19 says the whole world is lying in that beings power and that is a widespread 'cancer' for sure, and I see hatred as the catalyst for the growth process, it starts it growing worldwide, and so, the world is a cancer patient.... That really makes sense to put it the way you did, thank you......

[@Andrew-iv5dq]

Yeah, nicely said!

[@ardithmaclean7408]

Love your handle. You're so right

[@jenniferlastella210]

Robert Reich is a true Patriot. He has spent most his life speaking truth to power and educating people so they have a good understanding of how our government is supposed to work. He is absolutely brilliant, and one of the best legal minds of our time. Thank you Robert, for your exemplary service to our country. 💙

[@susancanyon]

A true patriot who stop the invasion on the Southern border and as a lawyer enforce immigration laws and antitrust issues to stop the corporate control of the country. He is a propagandist

[@Jkirk3279]

Robert Reich is unable to comprehend DEMOCRACY. If we don’t stand together with positive ideals, we let the wolves into the fold.

[@Tahoeluv]

Please continue this discussion! This was such an important conversation, and one we need to have more broadly as a society.

[@YomeidaGarza-ku4dx]

VOTE VOTE BLUE IF YOUR FOR OUR COUNTRY AMERIC WE SHOULD BE SO PROUD TO LIVE IN AMERICA I AM SO THANKFULL I WAS BORN IN MY COUNTRY N FREE OF SPEACH N FREEDOM TO DO AS WE WANT THANK YOU JUESE

[@DianaJewell-jf9ep]

Gov . Kemp signed a bill restricting unions . He stated that Georgia was a right to work state . (Which in my opinion, means a right to work for less ) the article implies that Georgia will discourage pro union business , because businesses want to move here to make money !..in other words all about business , not workers , as I see it .

[@sonjaleesloth]

And the poors will still vote him in just for his racist vitriol.

[@fasteddie7276]

Duh

[@DanielinLaTuna]

Unfortunately, corporate thinking divides humans into labor which is a cost to be cut, and executives which is a cost to be borne. In reality, workers of all kinds (from janitors and semiskilled to boardroom managers and executives) are another kind of asset (or capital) to be valued and husbanded for their collective contribution to whatever it is that the corporations are making.

[@patbelcher6738]

Kemp needs to be voted out.

[@Meegwun]

I appreciate Robert Reich so much, and I applaud his prescience from 1994, but when I was a PoliSci student in the early 80s in Canada, I saw the writing on the wall - where America was heading. I knew, despite the fact I was born there, I would never live there again. I left America in Aug 1970 - think about those times, those yrs from 1963 to 1970 - and I knew by 1983 I would never again live in America. All my family, except one, has long since returned. Me? No way. I was right, and so was Aldous Huxley when he wrote "Brave New World Revisited" in 1958. I read that book in Korea in 2003, when Dubya, the unindicted war criminal, was savaging the world with his criminal regime. But thank you, Robert.

[@noitall13]

One thing you may have forgotten is Canada is financially dominated by the 1%'ers.

[@roberthanks1636]

Fellow Canadian here, probably about the same age. What's your assessment of MAGA's influence on the state of Canadian politics?

[@LimitlessThinker]

I was living in Canada in the 70's and 80's and came back to the States for family. I look back and realize how much of a big mistake that was.

[@michaelcap9550]

The CCP appreciates him as well.

[@roberthanks1636]

@@LimitlessThinker I'm sorry to hear that. I don't want Canada to go down the MAGA path, but there's a good chance we might.

[@stephenyoud6125]

Outstanding job. Thanks very much. absolutely hitting the nail on the head.

[@rexholt6044]

Thank you both for this pod cast, keep it up, this is really helpful.

[@djack915]

❤Thank you Robert and Heather

[@mymojocx7]

Thanks for being you, Robert. I enjoy your insight. I tell young people all the time about the wages and how they plummeted back in the early 80's..thanks to Ronnie. Trump has been a cancer for this country. I look forward to the day when he is out of the picture.

[@lccsd2392]

It is absolutely vital that every single one of the 60% vote.

[@lileos2837]

wow you predicted this so much sooner than I did. i thought i was cool. everyone called me crazy all the way up to last week. for 20 years. and women increased competition for work, driving wages down more. then they sued for equal pay and won, so men's wages were cut. then we got to the trickle down years.... for me, the ignition point was windows 10. and response to the 2008 crisis solidified our fate so i just watched it grow exponentially unchecked by crippled governmental and here we are. right on man.

[@texasbluebonnet4303]

Yes Robert !! you and Jimmy Carter predicted we would be a rich Oligarch society with an assortment of poor people .

[@sonjaleesloth]

I love Jimmy Carter! People didn't want to hear the truths he addressed, then Reagan came in and ruined everything.

[@elizabethsohler6516]

Jimmy Carter. Real honest-to-God humanitarian.Much respect.

[@debc2237]

@@sonjaleesloth He was/is a genuinely decent person and way ahead of his time. He had solar panels on the White House and Regan had them ripped off.

[@yourdaddy-mq4km]

​@@sonjaleeslothReagan did what Carter couldn't.... Fix the failing economy.

[@elizabethsohler6516]

@@debc2237 When his time comes I hope the service is packed. I think it might be because I think MANY respect him as a person if not as a president.

[@adamarket]

Robert Reich quietly but assertively saying, "Donald Trump is a scumbag" made me do a spit-take.

[@OK-gk1rp]

😂😂😂 it made me swerve into the next lane

[@dionmcgee5610]

Why? It's obviously true. If ANYONE in the world should be called a scumbag, it's the scummiest bag we have in the USA. Donny is scumbaggiest #1. He's also #2, just to be vulgar - in his honor. You know he would want it that way.

[@mikewilliams6025]

Takes one to know one

[@susancanyon]

Yet the corruption of Biden gets a pass and he is silent. wake up and the witch hunt against Trump. Reich lives in California controlled by a dictator and a one party rigged system.

[@susanalleva1087]

Thank you thank you thank you Robert I love you 💓 great conversation, you're the best!! When you talk you make people understand exactly what the issues truly are. Please keep doing what you're doing 🙏 vote blue people up and down the ballad 💙💙💙💙

[@nancyguthrie7715]

Thank you Mr. Reich!!!

[@RevCeleste]

I'm 72 years old and I remember that whole period of corporate rating where they would go in and buy a struggling company and then just dismantle it instead of improving it

[@reneeflanders192]

Raiding.