Is Dynastic Wealth Destroying Democracy? | The Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ธ.ค. 2024

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  • @lmacdonald1281
    @lmacdonald1281 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +197

    Incredible that those who worked so many years for Social Security and Medicare benefits are enthusiastically willing to have them taken away by the wealthiest and Corporations.

    • @aylbdrmadison1051
      @aylbdrmadison1051 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

      That's because bigotry in all of it's many forms is solely based on unfounded biases and unwarranted fears.
      Aka; delusions and cowardice.

    • @Rooln1
      @Rooln1 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Don’t the corporations realize that if he won, they’d all be bankrupt within 2 years. Money would be worthless. No one could afford to buy anything, it wouldn’t surprise me if the internet would be over. Between him and the 4 or 5 dictators he’d join, they’d ruin science and technology quickly. The world will be a hellscape. Corporations should be as afraid of republicanism as the rest of us

    • @sharonthompson672
      @sharonthompson672 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Brainwashed by capitalists who employed them. When you fear losing your livelihood, when you work for a patriarchal, toxic workplace all your life, sometimes multiple generations working for the same employer, you become indoctrinated to believe the mantra they mouth at you every day, month after month, year after year.

    • @yvonneplant9434
      @yvonneplant9434 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I don't know a single senior who is doing any such thing. And,yes, I'm a senior.

    • @stevenk1833
      @stevenk1833 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      @@yvonneplant9434 I do.

  • @pamelagray6854
    @pamelagray6854 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +227

    Mr. President, Please consider inviting Robert Reich to partner with you at the podium re: economics and how you are working to enforce anti-trust to help citizens survive the robber barons' price fixing. cc: Robert Reich

    • @Steve-cs7pq
      @Steve-cs7pq 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

      He already has the support of we who understand . Just like he doesn't reach out to folks concerned about environmental+ social justice. Unfortunately the battle is for votes from the challenged philosophically. We need him in the cabinate teaching for the long run

    • @elicoats
      @elicoats 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Yes. PLEASE.

    • @yvonneplant9434
      @yvonneplant9434 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Would Biden pay any attention to a member of Bill Clinton's admin? I'm not so sure.

    • @yvonneplant9434
      @yvonneplant9434 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      ​@@Steve-cs7pqHow do you even know he doesn't? We are simply not going to hear about every meeting or conversation he has.

    • @m.jasondoty9062
      @m.jasondoty9062 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      ​@@yvonneplant9434But you ARE going to hear about every gaffe he makes.

  • @jesse_cole
    @jesse_cole 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +77

    As a history teacher, I like to teach the history of the last 800 years as a power struggle among four basic groups: The monarchs, the religious leaders, the nobility, and the people (everyone else). When I ask my students in which of those groups they believe power in America is concentrated today, they tend to look confused. They know instinctively that "the people" don't have it. They know we don't have a monarch. Some start to say "religious leaders," but they kind of know that while religious leaders have a lot of influence, they're not the real shot callers. Most of them are a bit shocked to realize that America has a "nobility" that really has all the power. That nobility might be better at marketing themselves today than the 2nd Estate was in late 18th century France, for example, but it's the same bunch. An entitled class of snobs who believes that YOUR only purpose for existing is to work day and night to fuel THEIR lifestyle, ensuring they retain their "privileges of nobility." In a way, they're virtually no different from the old Lords and Ladies of feudal Europe, except the "fiefs" we serfs work for them have changed from farms to big box stores and restaurant chains, and instead of being loyal to a monarch, they install a president who works for THEM. They've never allowed _democracy_ to exist in America, but they have done a lot to push the _perception_ that we have it. And that's really how they won the power struggle, by convincing us that WE did.

    • @melisavierra7812
      @melisavierra7812 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

      We need more teachers like you and we need to begin this conversation and empathize critical thinking skills in elementary school! Thank you so much for being a true educator!

    • @bwanna23
      @bwanna23 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Be careful.

    • @xjarheadjohnson
      @xjarheadjohnson 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

      Americans think of the, *historically prosperous, 1940's & 50's* when they reminisce about America's "greatness." Do you know the top-marginal tax rates for the richest during those, historically prosperous, decades?
      *Historical U.S. Highest Marginal Income Tax Rates*
      _"The top income tax rate reached above _*_90%_*_ from 1944 through 1963, peaking in 1944 when top taxpayers paid an income tax rate of _*_94%_*_ on their taxable income."_
      SOURCE: Tax Policy Center - online 9-Feb-22
      The average working citizens of other 1st-world nations, often pity ours.
      *McDonald’s Workers in Denmark Pity Us*
      _“Danes love America,” Hummelgaard told me. “But there’s no admiration for the level of inequality in America, for the lack of job security, for the lack of health security, for all those things that...create a good society.”_
      SOURCE: NY TIMES, by By Nicholas Kristof - May 8, 2020
      _"Democracy has become a business plan, with a bottom line for every human activity, every dream, every decency, every hope. The main parliamentary parties are now devoted to the same economic policies - socialism for the rich, capitalism for the poor - and the same foreign policy of servility to endless war. This is not democracy. It is to politics what McDonald's is to food."_
      *- John Pilger* (journalist, writer, scholar and documentary filmmaker)
      Is it just coincidence that ALL the happiest nations on Earth, are also nations with some of the highest tax rates on Earth, with free medical care, ample paid time off & FAR superior education systems?
      *The Happiest Countries in the World*
      _"Finland leads the ranking of the world's happiest countries for the sixth year in a row, according to the 2023 World Happiness Report... score (7.80)...Denmark in second place (7.59), Iceland in third (7.53), Sweden in sixth (7.40) and Norway in seventh (7.32)"_
      SOURCE: World Economic Forum, by Anna Fleck - Mar 23, 2023
      _“When it can be said by any country in the world, my poor are happy, neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them, my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars, the aged are not in want, the taxes are not oppressive, the rational world is my friend because I am the friend of happiness. When these things can be said, then may that country boast its constitution and government.”_
      *- Thomas Paine, Rights of Man*
      _"We need to question this notion that capital only belongs to the owners when we can't achieve anything without workers. _*_We're doing capitalism wrong,_*_ and were going to kill ourselves in the process unless we rethink it."_
      *-Abigail Disney* (Disney Heir, documentary film producer, philanthropist, and social activist)

    • @bwanna23
      @bwanna23 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@xjarheadjohnson It would be interesting to read the history of economic fascism in America from the late 18th century to the present. How in the world did the worshipers of Mammon allow a tax rate above 90% post-WWII is a mystery to me. They certainly made great "corrections" these past 50 years.

    • @rd264
      @rd264 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      they dont see that whatever the class labels of the day, boiled down, its about the Privileged Haves vs the Less Fortunate and Discriminated Against Have Nots?

  • @iche9373
    @iche9373 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +118

    TAX THE RICH 🇺🇸
    In the name of the People, by the People, for the People.

    • @michaelrch
      @michaelrch 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It's a start. But it will take a lot more than that. FDR taxes the rich. But 30 years later, the rich learned how to use their wealth to subvert democracy.

    • @aylbdrmadison1051
      @aylbdrmadison1051 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      Interestingly, that during the entire time that republican voters claim to miss was when the wealthiest Americans never paid less then a 70% tax rate, and the rich were all still doing just fine back then.

    • @MyLoganTreks
      @MyLoganTreks 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Facts are Largest Wealth transfer in history was COVID, maga churches.. a career in wealth management 20 yrs when I saw what Trump did to repeal the Frank Dodd Act, banks get bailouts on the American people while they create larger Monopolizing Truist turds to fill their own pockets. Follow the money, find the corruption and know the intentions behind the curtains.

    • @seanmcdonald4686
      @seanmcdonald4686 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      The rich, by definition, are always doing just fine. The problem is that they constantly convince themselves (and a shockingly large number of poor people) that they need an increasingly larger percentage of the pie.

    • @iche9373
      @iche9373 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@seanmcdonald4686 What the poor want is based on need-based justice

  • @susanwoosnam1697
    @susanwoosnam1697 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +135

    Walmart employees needing government benefits? Corporate behavior unchecked.

    • @JebusHypocristosX
      @JebusHypocristosX 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

      That is corporate welfare, taxpayers subsidizing their workforce.

    • @KathyPantisano
      @KathyPantisano 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Don’t worry Corporations have record profits and stock buy backs , why would they care about helping their workers ? Let’s just take away any pensions , full time workers , health benefits because you’re not full time , because we won’t give you hours that would cover that !!

    • @josearbelada5902
      @josearbelada5902 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      Even worse, there are families where both parents work full time jobs and are homeless.
      Any person who works a full time job should make enough to support a family of four in reasonable comfort. Any company that can not do this does not deserve to exist.

    • @kellya9050
      @kellya9050 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      It is awful! Not even half of eligible voters vote in your country! That is not really a democracy! Also people should be encouraged to vote!

    • @lydiabell6218
      @lydiabell6218 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I knew that a long time ago. What we are doing in essence is subsidize businesses like Walmart.

  • @cassiegreene9528
    @cassiegreene9528 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +20

    Mr Reich - an American treasure. Thank you. And thank you Heather for your wonderful input. Both of you are great.

  • @docsanchez6901
    @docsanchez6901 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +29

    The economy should be measured by the wealth of the poorest Workers...

  • @elizabethellis9062
    @elizabethellis9062 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +36

    You are still teaching this stuff. Thank you Robert ❤

  • @theorivas1
    @theorivas1 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +89

    I lasted 11 minutes before my anger exceeded my mental threshold. It is because these hosts are so pleasant that I was able to last that long. Great work guys. Let’s channel our anger into participation in taking back what is ours through political action.

    • @helengarrett6378
      @helengarrett6378 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      We all need exercise so get off the sofa and do some actual work toward changing things. Be active!

    • @_soupnazi
      @_soupnazi 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Glad I'm not the only one. a

    • @tommackay7433
      @tommackay7433 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      What does that mean?

    • @_soupnazi
      @_soupnazi 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@tommackay7433 it's upsetting listening to all the ways we get fk'd in this country

    • @helengarrett6378
      @helengarrett6378 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@tommackay7433 I don't like to tell people what to do or how to advocate for themselves. But if you want some suggestions here are a few. Volunteer to be a poll worker. Go down to the Democratic Party headquarters and do some door knocking, because Donald Trump Is a disaster that will destroy democracy if he is elected in November, not necessarily because you love the Democratic Party. Get active on local school board issues to assure that children can learn about the hstory of slavery and how immigrants built our nation's railroads. Join an organization that reflects your values of social justice and equality. Work to help the people who are deliberately left out of paths to success by bigots, the kleptocratic rich and narrow minded fanatics. Work at a food bank. Donate blood to a blood bank. Foster parent a child. Walk a sick person's dog for free. Join a union. Support a striker.. Do anything constructive and work for the common good without demanding payment or praise. Do not try to convert others to your religion, but instead honor theirs or accept that some have none at all and that's o.k. Start being part of the solution for everyone instead of thinking about only yourself. Help build instead of destroy. Build a Habitat for Humanity home. If you are a doctor volunteer at a free clinic and if you are an electrician volunteer to help wire a Habitat home. Get creative. Find out what your community needs and who can help you. Pick up trash on the beach. Get off the sofa and work for the common good. We can change our lives and the lives of our neighbors and of people we do not know if we join together in community and diversity instead of trying to force everyone to be just exactly like you. DO SOMETHING!

  • @texasbluebonnet4303
    @texasbluebonnet4303 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +156

    Good Morning everyone who is here and loves to support Reich I am on a fixed income, so not enough money to go around for all the people I would like to donate to. Thank goodness you are still teaching the masses Robert!

    • @upat65
      @upat65 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

      Just watching, commenting, pressing the ‘Like button’ 👍 and sharing these videos would be a big help.

    • @TomTheTruckdriver
      @TomTheTruckdriver 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

      I'll make a little donation on your behalf then :)

    • @rambleon2838
      @rambleon2838 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

      Indeed, likes and subscribes helps a lot in pushing the algorithm to the top and eventually more youtube junkies will tune in. Commenting and replies will do the same. In four hours this video was viewed almost 10k times but only has 272 comments. Some of the popular youtubers I've been watching reach this level within the first hour.

    • @SylviaFarnsworth
      @SylviaFarnsworth 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

      Keep the truth coming

    • @peterponcedeleon3368
      @peterponcedeleon3368 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The inflation that is created by government is not helping you.

  • @iche9373
    @iche9373 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +108

    Let’s turn billionaires into millionaires.

    • @michaelcap9550
      @michaelcap9550 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      Hear that, Bernie?

    • @michaelrch
      @michaelrch 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Amen

    • @rievans57
      @rievans57 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      90% tax......

    • @GeorgeWilliamson-sn9ie
      @GeorgeWilliamson-sn9ie 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I could live just on a million dollars - why not them ?

    • @FreedomFighter1776
      @FreedomFighter1776 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      France tried living off the rich and it backfired.
      Don't be greedy.

  • @exeterline1930
    @exeterline1930 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +311

    "Most men with nothing would rather protect the possibility of becoming rich rather that face the reality of being poor." This is what keeps MAGA going.

    • @martinmulvany1157
      @martinmulvany1157 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

      Spot on. 👍

    • @allwinds3786
      @allwinds3786 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Is that a quote from someone famous?

    • @jeffreywillstewart
      @jeffreywillstewart 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +28

      . They think they are one lotto ticket away from their yacht lifestyle.

    • @3eyedfish
      @3eyedfish 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      As if having a cocaine and alcohol fueled orgy on a yacht leads to happiness

    • @jschnabes13
      @jschnabes13 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +25

      The temporarily inconvenienced billionaires of America.

  • @jackcarraway4707
    @jackcarraway4707 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +25

    In no way shape or form that CEOs work 300x harder than the average worker.

  • @DAWGnROADIE
    @DAWGnROADIE 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +49

    I dont have an issue with people having wealth. The issue is the concerted effort to keep wealth in the top 1%. It is not enough for them to have insane luxury, they seem to need the rest of us in profound poverty.

    • @elizabethalexander6528
      @elizabethalexander6528 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Sure seems that way.

    • @josephineananda
      @josephineananda 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      You don't get it. They don't care about you.

    • @KathyPantisano
      @KathyPantisano 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The corporations have made the poor , worse off. Remember when people would get pensions and health care from corporations. Now they won’t hire full time workers , because they don’t want to give them any benefits . That why people are working 2 to 3 jobs!

    • @JamesCobb-x4p
      @JamesCobb-x4p 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      No. No one matters like something that you step on

    • @ct6852
      @ct6852 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      The money just becomes another game to them. They get disconnected from what that money means to average people and their lives.

  • @kaydegonzague3121
    @kaydegonzague3121 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +28

    The more I learn about the every day person's side of history, the more I'm convinced that the US was always biased to the rich, land owners at the expense of the poor. The only difference now is that social media exists and it can be used to spread information and disinformation far easier than before.

  • @lmacdonald1281
    @lmacdonald1281 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +86

    The joke is… if wealth were more equitably distributed.. the economy would be exponentially more robust.

    • @aylbdrmadison1051
      @aylbdrmadison1051 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      We have proof of this in The New Deal. As soon as it was destroyed in 1981, we got this instead..
      1940-1980 Median wage growth rose 260%. 1981-2020 Median wage growth rose 5.4%.
      Clearly only BS trickles down.

    • @elizabethalexander6528
      @elizabethalexander6528 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      They just seem to not care.

    • @jenbunnyaqua
      @jenbunnyaqua 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

      They are above the economy. That’s not their problem, it’s ours.

    • @kathleenbren1523
      @kathleenbren1523 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      When the rich by their fourth mega yacht from the poolog a societies wealth that means that society will not grow and benefit from the abilities and resourcefulness and intelligence of other society members who now don't have the means for education, funds to start a new business, invention as societies wealth has been sucked up by a handful of members of society. They would have to all be Einsteins or Mother to make up the deficit and we know for sure they are not.

    • @kathleenbren1523
      @kathleenbren1523 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Mother Theresa

  • @pototo1
    @pototo1 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +29

    FDR warned that the country could not be only for the rich, or everyone would go down. When so many are near the poverty line and do not have $400 in case of emergencies, what does that tell us.

    • @michaelrch
      @michaelrch 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yes because in the 30s and 40s you were still able to openly discuss the contradictions of capitalism that lead it to to collapse when it is not strongly restrained.
      FDR was firmly capitalist. He said his greatest achievement was saving capitalism from capitalists.
      But the contradictions cannot be contained indefinitely.
      Neoliberals learned how to destroy the New Deal and Keynesianism.
      We have to come up with something new to replace capitalism.

    • @pototo1
      @pototo1 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      @@michaelrch Agree, but even in the 1930's and 40's FDR had to fight Republicans all the way just to get Social Security, not to speak of Universal Healthcare, which received the strongest opposition from the American Medical Association, and failed.

    • @michaelrch
      @michaelrch 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@pototo1 the trouble is that, on economics and the structures of power, the Dems are now well to the right of where the Republicans were before neoliberalism took hold. They started going right under Clinton and they never really stopped...
      We need a very hard correction.
      And we need new tools because the ones FDR used won't stick this time.

  • @GerhardJackson
    @GerhardJackson 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +25

    Thank you Robert and Heather. These podcasts are one of the highlights of my week…so informative and firmly grounded in equality. So very much appreciated.

  • @MitchellCoryNelson-gv2xw
    @MitchellCoryNelson-gv2xw 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +131

    Reagan SUCKED, Nixon SUCKED, this is what the school books should read.

    • @tracesprite6078
      @tracesprite6078 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yes, the millionaires carefully choose politicians like Trump who are so foolish that they neither know nor care what the millionaires are up to. Millionaires seem to be cunning but not intelligent and certainly not responsible or wise.

    • @silverforest4682
      @silverforest4682 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      TRUMP sucks.

    • @rievans57
      @rievans57 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      Basically.....

    • @Mikejamiew
      @Mikejamiew 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Exactly! 💯

    • @dougca7086
      @dougca7086 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Reagan should have been impeached he was dealing drugs and weapons do finances own little illegal war so you didn't have to go through Congress

  • @samosopale4557
    @samosopale4557 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    I recommend Robert Reich as the Nation's economic czar.

  • @rdbwdc774
    @rdbwdc774 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    Robert Reich is brilliant and explains his thoughts so well!

  • @theresafinn4257
    @theresafinn4257 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I’ve been trying to have friends shop anywhere outside Tesla, Starbucks, and Amazon
    I admire the CEOs who take the same wages as their employees.

  • @erikkennedy8725
    @erikkennedy8725 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +41

    The age of robber barons has come again.

    • @rd264
      @rd264 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      terrible!

    • @WillFinch-k4j
      @WillFinch-k4j 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It never ended just the ebb and flow of economics and governance.

    • @Illisil
      @Illisil 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Come again implies that it ever left

  • @bettyboohadapoo
    @bettyboohadapoo 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +15

    Full credit to the USA for having the best democracy money can buy.

    • @connyleicht6567
      @connyleicht6567 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      True, unfortunately, but orher countries aren't far behind......😢

  • @shirleed1936
    @shirleed1936 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    Thank you Heather and Robert

  • @theannecrossett7761
    @theannecrossett7761 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +18

    Thanks to the both of you!

  • @jesusnthedaisychain
    @jesusnthedaisychain 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +19

    It's more than dynastic wealth, it's dynastic politics that's a problem, and it has always been a problem. How many elected officials are related to each other, even today? How is it that the greatest general in the Confederacy was also married to George Washington's step-granddaughter? How is it that the son-in-law of the 12th POTUS was the president of the confederacy? How does the grandson of one president become a president himself? How many presidents, vice-presidents, senators, representatives, supreme court justices, generals, admirals, etc... have ancestors on the Mayflower, or they went to the same schools (oftentimes staying in the same dorms or belonging to the same fraternities, etc...)? The American Aristocracy is as real as any European nobility, but they've managed to convince everybody in this country that all you need is a can-do attitude and you can be just as successful as they are, even though they have a 400-year head start. Throw in a bunch of corporate executives who went to the same schools as these connected people and you see how and why the rest of us are just screwed. George Carlin had it right when he said that it's a club, and you ain't allowed in it.

  • @kathleenjohnson3645
    @kathleenjohnson3645 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

    It’s time for people to protest this greed. CEO pay needs to be regulated. No stock options for CEOs. Food prices need to be leveled off. Gasoline prices need to be leveled off. No subsidies from the government for oil, etc. Congress is a greedy mess. Term limits for the Supreme Court, Congress, etc. Our government was not set up for full time lifers to serve up power and greed. It was to be an honor to serve all the people. Not the sick mess of greed that exists now.

    • @xjarheadjohnson
      @xjarheadjohnson 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Americans think of the, *historically prosperous, 1940's & 50's* when they reminisce about America's "greatness." Do you know the top-marginal tax rates for the richest during those, historically prosperous, decades?
      *Historical U.S. Highest Marginal Income Tax Rates*
      _"The top income tax rate reached above _*_90%_*_ from 1944 through 1963, peaking in 1944 when top taxpayers paid an income tax rate of _*_94%_*_ on their taxable income."_
      SOURCE: Tax Policy Center - online 9-Feb-22
      The average working citizens of other 1st-world nations, often pity ours.
      *McDonald’s Workers in Denmark Pity Us*
      _“Danes love America,” Hummelgaard told me. “But there’s no admiration for the level of inequality in America, for the lack of job security, for the lack of health security, for all those things that...create a good society.”_
      SOURCE: NY TIMES, by By Nicholas Kristof - May 8, 2020
      _"Democracy has become a business plan, with a bottom line for every human activity, every dream, every decency, every hope. The main parliamentary parties are now devoted to the same economic policies - socialism for the rich, capitalism for the poor - and the same foreign policy of servility to endless war. This is not democracy. It is to politics what McDonald's is to food."_
      *- John Pilger* (journalist, writer, scholar and documentary filmmaker)
      Is it just coincidence that ALL the happiest nations on Earth, are also nations with some of the highest tax rates on Earth, with free medical care, ample paid time off & FAR superior education systems?
      *The Happiest Countries in the World*
      _"Finland leads the ranking of the world's happiest countries for the sixth year in a row, according to the 2023 World Happiness Report... score (7.80)...Denmark in second place (7.59), Iceland in third (7.53), Sweden in sixth (7.40) and Norway in seventh (7.32)"_
      SOURCE: World Economic Forum, by Anna Fleck - Mar 23, 2023
      _“When it can be said by any country in the world, my poor are happy, neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them, my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars, the aged are not in want, the taxes are not oppressive, the rational world is my friend because I am the friend of happiness. When these things can be said, then may that country boast its constitution and government.”_
      *- Thomas Paine, Rights of Man*
      _"We need to question this notion that capital only belongs to the owners when we can't achieve anything without workers. _*_We're doing capitalism wrong,_*_ and were going to kill ourselves in the process unless we rethink it."_
      *-Abigail Disney* (Disney Heir, documentary film producer, philanthropist, and social activist)

  • @hughbetcha6922
    @hughbetcha6922 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    This is one of the most profoundly important conversations to be found on the internet. So many people are unaware of the reality of our nation's situation. Thank you Robert and Heather.

  • @chiggins4399
    @chiggins4399 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

    Citizens United was decided incorrectly Alito!

  • @dylanwatts9344
    @dylanwatts9344 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    18:20
    It's called the corporate oligarchy.
    Until we get them out of our government (lobbying), they will be our rulers.

  • @OnlyWaterInTheForest
    @OnlyWaterInTheForest 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Thanks to both of you!

  • @williamrossetter9430
    @williamrossetter9430 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Being a student of history, especially US and foreign history, the loss of a middle class will perpetuate the loss of democracy and increase authoritarianism in America. I do like capitalism, but it must be regulated. Thanks to Robert and Heather for their podcasts!

    • @xjarheadjohnson
      @xjarheadjohnson 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Americans think of the, *historically prosperous, 1940's & 50's* when they reminisce about America's "greatness." Do you know the top-marginal tax rates for the richest during those, historically prosperous, decades?
      *Historical U.S. Highest Marginal Income Tax Rates*
      _"The top income tax rate reached above _*_90%_*_ from 1944 through 1963, peaking in 1944 when top taxpayers paid an income tax rate of _*_94%_*_ on their taxable income."_
      SOURCE: Tax Policy Center - online 9-Feb-22
      The average working citizens of other 1st-world nations, often pity ours.
      *McDonald’s Workers in Denmark Pity Us*
      _“Danes love America,” Hummelgaard told me. “But there’s no admiration for the level of inequality in America, for the lack of job security, for the lack of health security, for all those things that...create a good society.”_
      SOURCE: NY TIMES, by By Nicholas Kristof - May 8, 2020
      _"Democracy has become a business plan, with a bottom line for every human activity, every dream, every decency, every hope. The main parliamentary parties are now devoted to the same economic policies - socialism for the rich, capitalism for the poor - and the same foreign policy of servility to endless war. This is not democracy. It is to politics what McDonald's is to food."_
      *- John Pilger* (journalist, writer, scholar and documentary filmmaker)
      Is it just coincidence that ALL the happiest nations on Earth, are also nations with some of the highest tax rates on Earth, with free medical care, ample paid time off & FAR superior education systems?
      *The Happiest Countries in the World*
      _"Finland leads the ranking of the world's happiest countries for the sixth year in a row, according to the 2023 World Happiness Report... score (7.80)...Denmark in second place (7.59), Iceland in third (7.53), Sweden in sixth (7.40) and Norway in seventh (7.32)"_
      SOURCE: World Economic Forum, by Anna Fleck - Mar 23, 2023
      _“When it can be said by any country in the world, my poor are happy, neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them, my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars, the aged are not in want, the taxes are not oppressive, the rational world is my friend because I am the friend of happiness. When these things can be said, then may that country boast its constitution and government.”_
      *- Thomas Paine, Rights of Man*
      _"We need to question this notion that capital only belongs to the owners when we can't achieve anything without workers. _*_We're doing capitalism wrong,_*_ and were going to kill ourselves in the process unless we rethink it."_
      *-Abigail Disney* (Disney Heir, documentary film producer, philanthropist, and social activist)

  • @JayS-el2wd
    @JayS-el2wd 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    Both sides do all this. We need a true Democracy!
    Not more Red team Blue team crap!

    • @stella-gx8ne
      @stella-gx8ne 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      That is total BS.Both sides are NOT the same anymore

  • @hugh261
    @hugh261 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    We were promised getting trickled down on, but instead, we get property valuations that keep us from home ownership. We will always follow and support them, even when they're screwing us. That empty promise of us possibly getting rich too is just irresistable.

    • @techcafe0
      @techcafe0 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      by 'trickle-down' what the greedy billionaires really meant is that you'll all be pissed upon

  • @joeshoe6184
    @joeshoe6184 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +19

    "Capitalism, having defeated communism, now seems poised to do the same to democracy."

    • @patrickkeating2849
      @patrickkeating2849 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Capitalism's Goal: To Monopolise.
      Communists Goal:
      Money~Power... Only at the Top,
      Just Like Capitalism!
      Cre8 Wealth for CEO's & Stockholders

  • @johngutmanis3580
    @johngutmanis3580 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thank you for what you do!

  • @DonKin-om7yr
    @DonKin-om7yr 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +48

    These 800 need to be in the 48% tax bracket

    • @geodad4782
      @geodad4782 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

      They need to be in the 90% tax bracket.

    • @rd264
      @rd264 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

      90% inc. tax rate should apply to the top 1%. Close the loop holes.

    • @JebusHypocristosX
      @JebusHypocristosX 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      the 800 need to be in the 100% tax bracket over $100,000,000/yr

    • @elizabethalexander6528
      @elizabethalexander6528 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Yep

    • @SmallSpoonBrigade
      @SmallSpoonBrigade 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      @@JebusHypocristosX IIRC, 93% is the heighest the top income tax bracket ever was, and losing that made a massive difference. We also shouldn't permit private money in public elections.

  • @MaryShields-o5m
    @MaryShields-o5m 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Thank you! I always learn something when I listen to you all.

  • @mattsmelley5569
    @mattsmelley5569 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I've listened to this now on 4th time...Go RR!

  • @mmp-k6u
    @mmp-k6u 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Excellent episode
    Thank you both
    💙💙👍👍💙💙

  • @Hannah2012able
    @Hannah2012able 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    We just need to keep TALKING TO EACH OTHER!
    Thanks for all you're sharing.🤔 always informative.also enlightening
    🇨🇦🤗

  • @mowestover7974
    @mowestover7974 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    Thank you

  • @DavidWesley
    @DavidWesley 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    To the right!!😂😭😳😱

  • @louisemccoy9410
    @louisemccoy9410 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    I think the "flaunting of wealth is so tacky and demeaning to the poplus ! It is damaging the feelings of accomplishment of the working folks !!

  • @Wegivesp
    @Wegivesp 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Keep up the good work.

  • @infinitedonuts
    @infinitedonuts 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    Short answer is yes

  • @georgemacleod9808
    @georgemacleod9808 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Thankyou

  • @MyLoganTreks
    @MyLoganTreks 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Thank you! Amazing knowledge that needs to be shared to educate all American voters. 50 billionaires donated 600 million dollars to the Republican campaign... It's not about the well-being of anything but their pockets. 813 billionaires in America with over 5 trillion, while hard at work in the hot fields and manufacturing plants working at the Walmarts and other corporations that don't pay a living wage so they need government assistance to survive. Facts Period.

  • @allwinds3786
    @allwinds3786 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Yes, next question

  • @barbaraklaser3681
    @barbaraklaser3681 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thank you! This was so informative. A bit depressing, but informative. I wish every voter would listen to you.

  • @Mr_Curious
    @Mr_Curious 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Yes! The simple answer is yes Sir it is.
    Be kind and do good work.

  • @mdpoolefame
    @mdpoolefame หลายเดือนก่อน

    Hi Heather and Bob- thank you so much for this fascinating and scary all at the same time💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

  • @mehrankhodai6888
    @mehrankhodai6888 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Excellent.

  • @robotic_automaton
    @robotic_automaton 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +52

    America was based on aristocracy. the question is, how do we dethrone our oligarchical, capitalist, criminal overlords?

    • @aylbdrmadison1051
      @aylbdrmadison1051 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      By continuing to seek Horizontal power and opposing Hierarchical power. It all starts within each of us making the decision to become an anti-bigot. Bigotry exists to prevent Solidarity. Bigotry is anti-Freedom, and the tool of division the wealthy elite have used for thousands of years to divide and oppress the masses. Without bigotry it would be impossible for the very few to oppress the very many. Good news is, anti-bigotry is natural evolution.

    • @OnlyLyricsMatter
      @OnlyLyricsMatter 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Revolution. Same as it ever was.

    • @hegyak
      @hegyak 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Well, France had a great idea.
      The Modern Version, is Submarines.

    • @iche9373
      @iche9373 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Reformation or Revolution

    • @debbieknight8901
      @debbieknight8901 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      This is something that can bring together the rest of us regardless of political party

  • @RodgerHammond-z6l
    @RodgerHammond-z6l 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    George Washington warned about partisan politics and that it could end our democracy! That's what we're living through right now! That's why I've always been an independent!🇺🇲👍

    • @catpaladin1
      @catpaladin1 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Have you read the platform of the Independent ? I’m registered Undeclared. I prefer that.

  • @beverlyadams7205
    @beverlyadams7205 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Robert Reich, you are incredible. Heather, you are amazing. thank you both for coming together and educating me and the rest of your viewers.

  • @suec.5840
    @suec.5840 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +25

    I remember when giving a teacher a gift was unethical, but now enough money and you can buy the government. Democracy is dead.💀

    • @aylbdrmadison1051
      @aylbdrmadison1051 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      To be fair, this country was always a Representative Democracy. What never existed can't really die.
      We need to keep seeking Horizontal power like Direct Democracy, and opposing Hierarchical power like the Authoritarianism the R's are trying to force on us all.

  • @Basilica19
    @Basilica19 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thank you professor! You are opening minds.

  • @patriciacachopo5723
    @patriciacachopo5723 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    ThankYou!

  • @kalikalimai1
    @kalikalimai1 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Yes, they are.

  • @aussie8114
    @aussie8114 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +38

    Why not simply make a rule that no individual or company can donate more than $5,000 per year to a political party.

    • @robertginsburg8113
      @robertginsburg8113 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The Republican dominated Supreme Court gave corporations the right to donate unlimited amounts of dark money in a case called Citizens United.
      Those justices that made this ruling have lifetime appointments. We're in a pickle for sure.
      A Constitutional amendment could override the court but that takes a super majority and ratification by the states.

    • @player627
      @player627 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      For C corporations stricter limits are already in effect.

    • @peterrobinson1041
      @peterrobinson1041 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      i dont have a problem with bog donations- but i want immediiate disclosure

    • @projoebiochem
      @projoebiochem 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      The Supreme Court already declared political donations as an expression of free speech, so it can’t be limited.

    • @dianemackenzie5932
      @dianemackenzie5932 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      ​@@projoebiochemcorrupt scotus says corporations are people

  • @patrarus6097
    @patrarus6097 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Excellent podcast as always. Thanks to Robert and Heather!

  • @ibeetellingya5683
    @ibeetellingya5683 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +15

    Without including Social Good, Humanism, and social responsibility, America's Constitution democratizes tyranny. Money dominates, conquers and oppresses.

    • @JoseLopez-tk4tq
      @JoseLopez-tk4tq 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      " A government by organized money is more dangerous than a government by mob." ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

    • @ibeetellingya5683
      @ibeetellingya5683 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@JoseLopez-tk4tq Ironically, trump profoundly embodies both.

  • @DCL26
    @DCL26 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thank you, Robert and Heather. I've been enjoying your fun and educational programs. Glad Robert pointed out and informed us of the real nature of the rising stock market, and who is actually benefitting most. Keep up your good work and for putting the word out there. 😉👍

  • @BejaVue
    @BejaVue 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Thank you so very much for this really awesome video!!!!

  • @rickmorrow993
    @rickmorrow993 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    No tax is too high for Robert Reich. And no government overreach can go too far.

  • @melissasokol3127
    @melissasokol3127 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    You are getting the message out, especially in this conversation format. Brilliant!

  • @JAXTRUX
    @JAXTRUX 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Love you guys Robert, keep it up!

  • @thjbird
    @thjbird 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    The Roberts Court made this possible.
    “Money is speech “
    - the Roberts Court

  • @stevenc6705
    @stevenc6705 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    I’m still waiting to get trickled on

    • @markj935
      @markj935 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      We got shitted on instead

  • @PoliticalEconomy101
    @PoliticalEconomy101 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +26

    No capitalism and Wall Street are. Dynastic wealth is the symptom.

    • @iche9373
      @iche9373 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It’s called Neofeudalism

    • @michaelrch
      @michaelrch 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      amen
      These liberals rubes are still in the tank for capitalism. It's so tragic

    • @pariahmouse7794
      @pariahmouse7794 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      EXACTLY...

    • @SmallSpoonBrigade
      @SmallSpoonBrigade 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It's not capitalism, it;s the deregulated abomination that we've got that's an issue It would still be a capitalist society if there were a near 100% tax on income of any sort beyond a given point, and a UBI at the bottom to ensure that everybody has at least a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food in their mouth, and not much more.

    • @rd264
      @rd264 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I am quite fond of my dynastic wealth actually.

  • @fr57ujf
    @fr57ujf 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Is Dynastic Wealth Destroying Democracy? Absolutely yes.

  • @lyraserpentine894
    @lyraserpentine894 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    That 1776 clip is on the version that Amazon has on Prime. I watched this just the other day and thought that was one of the musical's best lines.

  • @anahatatutu
    @anahatatutu 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    + 1 for calling "bullshit" on Dimon.

  • @Bigandrewm
    @Bigandrewm 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Don't forget: the turn from 19th to 20th century being another "gilded age" did indeed present major problems for Democracy at the time. There was literal armed conflict between rich and poor people, being so bad that is where the roots of our modern labor movement came from.

  • @jeromehealy2925
    @jeromehealy2925 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    Our guide in the Historic Park Tour in Boston said, “John Hancock earned his wealth the old fashioned way…. He inherited it!” 😅

  • @normanbott
    @normanbott 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thanks once again from the UK. Another fascinating and instructive session.

  • @wiley238
    @wiley238 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +23

    Why do we keep giving them free money and at the same time they pay no taxes. And way do the poor Republicans vote for this injustice?

    • @SmallSpoonBrigade
      @SmallSpoonBrigade 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The Democrats aren't that much better. They are better, but not by what I would consider an acceptable margin.

    • @elizabethalexander6528
      @elizabethalexander6528 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Why do the poor pay higher prices in everyting like insurance utility bills just everything. I am on fixed income and rely on the prices for FOOD. These 83 people just are ugly -their behavior makes me sick. This is how the country people overthrew the rich in China. They gor fed up big time. Laos Cambobia you can only push people so far.

    • @dianemackenzie5932
      @dianemackenzie5932 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@SmallSpoonBrigade, now you know theres a difference start w that bodily autonomy thing? project 2025? Dems need to reign in the spending for sure. 4BILLION to Isreal yearly? Oil company subsidies?

    • @silverforest4682
      @silverforest4682 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      They seem to be fooled by trump

    • @WandaJacksonTN
      @WandaJacksonTN 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Without immigrants in the US, your food and many other essentials would be unaffordable. Obviously, you have no idea how hard they work for pay that Americans would not consider.

  • @stevenc6705
    @stevenc6705 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    Where’s our modern Teddy Roosevelt?

  • @farahdormanesh4690
    @farahdormanesh4690 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    This is why the country is in shambles

  • @fanstream
    @fanstream 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Love these deep dive discussions

  • @michaelmata9171
    @michaelmata9171 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    yes. yes. yes.

  • @keep-ukraine-free
    @keep-ukraine-free 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Yes, dynastic wealth IS Destroying democracy. Part of the problem is how our inheritance taxes work (or don't work correctly). We need graduated taxes, and higher taxes for the largest wealthy families. If you're bequeathing more than $100 million, it should be taxed at at least 50% -- because that is pure income for those receiving it. Even if that money was "already" taxed earlier (under/during the decedent's life), this money is now new income for their heirs.
    BILLIONS are tied up in dynastic wealth, and soon it'll be TRILLIONS. It's another red flag that democracy is failing.

  • @jillmanthe9439
    @jillmanthe9439 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thanks for the data and context......will be posting all this on right wing sites where it's needed most!

  • @hoofarmorhoofcare
    @hoofarmorhoofcare 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Love watching you two! 💞
    Maybe add a midweek program?

  • @colinwhite5355
    @colinwhite5355 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Add gross stupidity to their greed. How can’t they see that their selfishness will bring about their own, and our, eventual downfall?

  • @zoeyblouin6527
    @zoeyblouin6527 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Remember kids the secret of the success!
    NEPOTISM!

  • @garyjohnson1466
    @garyjohnson1466 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Exactly..

  • @louisemccoy9410
    @louisemccoy9410 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Bottom line,....tax the rich, FAIRLY !!! If they are going to gouge us, pay us for our devotion. Abandon all tax loopholes (clever versions) for the regulation of FAIR taxation !!!

  • @tubulardude44
    @tubulardude44 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I wish the program would provide charts to illustrate these vitally important facts! 📈 For greater IMPACT!!!

  • @TeamUkraine
    @TeamUkraine 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I wish to start up a podcast like this, talks and coffee (hopefully well crafted) ❤ nice idea

  • @bassafarside6071
    @bassafarside6071 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Yes.

  • @bunyip5841
    @bunyip5841 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Indifference and cruelty were a feature of European aristocracy before they lost their heads and it looks like the neo aristocracy in the US is following suit. They are indifferent to what is happening to the majority of the country.

  • @albwilso9
    @albwilso9 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    You are soooooooooo right and it is getting worse, BUT What do we do???

  • @stephendaisley8645
    @stephendaisley8645 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Once again, such Americans, give me hope!!!! What did Churchill say about them doing the right thing? They usually have to explore every other avenue first!!
    I, The world, holds its breath.
    Please America.

  • @danmylecraine3796
    @danmylecraine3796 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The dynamic duo, and so photogenic! You, too, Heather :)

  • @monique4172
    @monique4172 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you teacher...To Sit with love.

  • @Philipcole-kz6dc
    @Philipcole-kz6dc 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Most of us would rather protect the possibility of becoming rich rather than have adequate public assistance if we become poor.

  • @MarcSteiner99
    @MarcSteiner99 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    The inordinate disparity between rich and poor, a source of acute suffering, keeps the world in a state of instability, virtually on the brink of war. Few societies have dealt effectively with this situation. The solution calls for the combined application of spiritual, moral and practical approaches. A fresh look at the problem is required, entailing consultation with experts from a wide spectrum of disciplines, devoid of economic and ideological polemics, and involving the people directly affected in the decisions that must urgently be made. It is an issue that is bound up not only with the necessity for eliminating extremes of wealth and poverty but also with those spiritual verities the understanding of which can produce a new universal attitude. Fostering such an attitude is itself a major part of the solution. "The Promise of World Peace 1985"