@ Actually, most times when an employee offers "unskilled labor", they get fired. (Unless they're Trump.) The rest of them just get worked to the grave. There's a reason for the term "dead end job."
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Rosalie No, those who earn less than $15/hour or so are unskilled. What unskilled means in the labor market is that what you do, isn’t scarce. You are easily replaceable. Look at the Walmart or fast food crowd - most of them are unskilled...that’s why the pay is so low. You can joke about Trump all you wish, and other sjw’s will laugh...but don’t get it twisted..he’s quite skilled.
Brilliant video! *Before voting in 2020, normal American politicians* Also, Trump and any cult followers who are *not insane* NEED to educate themselves on what real Socialism is about, in modern times! So they STOP confusing it with Stalinism, Communism, or National Socialism. *Before 2020, Congress needs to hold fact-finding public hearings* That will show American voters (esp. Trumpists) the benefits to society of EVERYBODY paying for Healthcare thru fair taxation! For example, like in RICH Capitalist-Socialist countries like Sweden, Denmark, UK, Holland etc
global capitalism. Th e big corp have much more power -and money- than any state. So, politics is subordinate to the interests of a small group of global economic controllers, in the rich countries, and more much in the poorest
Maybe if you had learned a skill you could make more money.. this country is producing a lot of idiots they can play video games but don’t know anything of value, have no skills whatsoever and will struggle the rest of their lives!
@@luciustate4386 or it's just the sheer exploitation of desperate low-income people by people in positions of power. Maybe, if the people who had the most influence on the people making the laws of the land were poor people, the country's economy would be geared at raising people out of abject poverty. I mean China did it, 850 million people (almost x3 US population) were lifted out of poverty in 30 years. China! When they started they had an agrarian economy. American can, but won't, there are too many vested interests in people's poverty.
Tshepo Masiea You don’t really know what you’re talking about. China became a wealthy country because dumbasses in the United States allow them to run over us economically. That shit has stopped now that President Trump took over. In four more years the USA will be back on top again. Many other countries are pulling away from China now
LUCIUS TATE dude you act like everyone can just learn a skill and get a job. When everyone has a skill what jobs will be left. I will give you an example. Big tech. So many people with so many skills but people with skills are still poor.
Amazon paid $0 in taxes, and i paid $27k total this year from my income tax. The Government loves to tax those who have jobs, but not those who have huge businesses
@@gibransaliba8801 Easier said than done. I don't even know where to get started on it. How to get clients, how do you even get a good accountant etc.. Never got a chance to learn or do any of that.
@@BangMaster96 I want you to look up a channel on TH-cam called Money Income Profit. I subscribed to that channel, bought some courses where I learned how to start a business, and I have started successful businesses already. You can also get into network marketing and enjoy the tax benefits of the ultra rich. Matter of fact, I want you to start getting into self help. It will benefit you greatly dude. If you want to become rich, you can. Regardless of your circumstance
Brilliant video! *Before voting in 2020, normal American politicians* Also, Trump and any cult followers who are *not insane* NEED to educate themselves on what real Socialism is about, in modern times! So they STOP confusing it with Stalinism, Communism, or National Socialism. *Before 2020, Congress needs to hold fact-finding public hearings* That will show American voters (esp. Trumpists) the benefits to society of EVERYBODY paying for Healthcare thru fair taxation! For example, like in RICH Capitalist-Socialist countries like Sweden, Denmark, UK, Holland etc
@@alanbrooke144 , I have lived under a communist government and learned about socialism in school. They are not a pretty system but you need know the difference between socialism and democratic socialism. They are two different systems, a concept some people can't comprehend.
It's like giving the trophy to the losing team because the team got a head start and was favored by the refs. When the game is rigged, I say the poor and lower middle class should probably cheat in order to even the playing field. Got to make the game fair somehow.
@@Singlesix6 I guess you’d be surprised to know that overall the Democratic Party is just as neoliberal as the republicans. There’s only a few democrats who are actual progressives and left learners. Not the whole party like most believe when it comes to matters like this.
Mr. Robert Reich, thanks for telling people the facts and educated them. Keep doing this service. We really need someone to tell us the truth about the system. Thanks again!
Even before the college admissions scandal, so-called Ivy League Schools had a disproportionate number of kids from wealthy parents attending. Such schools aren't even worth going to. You can get a good degree at a regular university or community college and still get a good job or the same job as somebody who attended a "better school". And even if you get a good job you can still be fired more easily from a "good job" or overworked regardless of your salary. If that sounds like a screwed up system, it's because it kind of is. You work hard in school to work hard at work and you never get to live a full life or spend time with family because you're always working. Aside from a little extra money from having a degree but not nearly as much as the boss makes, where is the reward? It's like a serfs and masters system. Slavery with a paycheck.
What about the union guys getting their children into the union when the books are closed to everyone else? That's the way life is and has been. You just can't pick on one class of folks.
@@STScott-qo4pw It's even more evident in today's environment than it was last year when this post was written. It's sad when folks think they are the patriotic Americans when voting for everything that benefits the top 5% at their own expense.
@@koerttijdens1234 Maybe don't listen to morons like Jordan Peterson and actually get mad at the US government for subsiding banks and billionaires and Republicans cutting estate taxes?
@@TheArtkaw So you demanded why he's not angry at republicans for subsidizing business and banks and cutting their taxes. You know, the stuff the right calls socialism whenever someone proposes doing it for anyone who isn't rich. Koert's response? Dodge the question entirely.
As a 78 yr. old person, 1 of 7 kids, my father had a simple factory job with a company that wasn't the best-paying place around. My mother took in sewing and ironing. And yet, we had a big old home with 4 bedrooms in town. We had a car out front, food on the table, and clothes on our backs. Since 1983 under Reagan, we as a nation, at the behest of Big Corporate Interests, GAVE away nearly all of our Manufacturing with Zero consequences if there was a revolution, or something similar, in the Slave Wage nation, they would be Bailed Out by the Taxpayers, as we did for the Wall St. Banks 15 years ago. When we started that, China wasn't much more than a 3rd world nation. LOOK AT THEM NOW!! If we had to go to WWII today, we couldn't do it!! We no longer have the manufacturing facilities, nor the Skilled labor that goes with them. We don't even have Steel Mills anymore!. And God forbid that we ever go to WWIII with China!! Where would we get our spare parts?? We are no longer "The United States of America." We are NOW "The CORPORATE States of America!" And they OWN all 3 branches of our Government, (which are supposed to "Represent" their constituents) and all of the so-called "Regulatory" agencies that are supposed to protect "We The People" from those Greedy Corporations. Where do we go from here?
No you’re a idiot for actually thinking socialism works if this country is socialist who’s gonna take the risk of debt and take the time and hard work to start a company just to be paid the same as a janitor who cleans the floor America is built so you get rewarded for taking risks and creating a source of income (especially if it is from foreign counties) to people who just want money and aren’t willing to take the risks and do the hard work what fucking lazy idiot believes this shit if everything is getting handed to you while you sleep and aren’t doing anything where is it gonna come from the beginning? Also this whole big business doesn’t pay taxes shit is the stupidest thing I’ve heard in my life of course they pay fucking taxes if you didn’t you wouldn’t be getting tax write offs McDonald’s has to pay taxes on the buns they buy why would they have to pay even more when tax time comes around that’s literally just double dipping in their bank account god you socialists are such idiots maybe look at China or Venezuela while it was socialist and see how that went.
@@Ninja-gr1fj "McDonald’s has to pay taxes on the buns they buy why would they have to pay even more when tax..." You mean kind of like how I pay taxes on my income then pay sales tax on my food? Taxing them for the purchase of buns, then taxing them for the income produced from selling a finished product like a Big Mac is similar, if not essentially identical. Your rationale doesn't really work when applied generally. Not to mention we aren't promoting socialism here, nor is this video. We're promoting corporate responsibility. Did you even watch the video? Robert himself says in many of his videos there's nothing inherently wrong with inequality, however, exacerbated inequality often leads to an erosion of democratic safeguards against aristocratic oligopolies, which pose existential threats to both capitalism AND democracy. Most of us watching this video don't want socialism, we just want a capitalism that is sustainable, efficient, and benefits all.
@@baruchben-david4196 Well I hope the 100+k we paid one year trickled to somewhere! We are a family of 3 who sold a business share. 50% to IRS and state.
People didn’t get rich sitting on their ass and complaining about other people! People with your mindset will never amount to anything. Y’all are just a bunch of idiots!
Because he's a socialist shill with small minded ideas. Capitalism is the best system we've ever seen on this planet. What this guy is complaining about isn't socialism for the rich, its crony capitalism. Reich is trying to get everyone on board with being a victim. Screw that.
The wordplay Reich is using is a simple minded attempt at demonizing capitalism (just look at the opening graphic) and FABRICATING a term (is this a new leftist buzzword) "socialism for the rich" which is intentionally misleading because anyone with 2 brain cells knows it is crony capitalism, the worst side of a free market economy. Gore, the Clintons, Reich himself all got wealthy in this system as well. How many corporations did the Obama administration bail out? It happens on both sides.
@@beentheredonethatoriginals5673 Robert Reich is not a socialist shill; he's quite moderate on a global scale. This is why you have people saying Bernie Sanders would be mainstream or moderate left in Europe. The problem is U.S. politics has moved so right since its politicians serve corporations over people, and they idolize supply-side economics. It wasn't until recently that righties started calling Reich a socialist every time his name is mentioned. Look at this article: robertreich.org/post/22542609387 That far from shilling for socialism
@@rickJstar ok maybe not a socialist shill but I'm all too familiar with his cozy relationship with Sanders, who is definitely a socialist. And I used to really like Sanders. I voted for him in the primary in fact. He's gone even further left however, and once you hit a certain tax bracket you sit up and take notice of where your 50K in taxes is going. I think universal health care is a good thing for the US even though I know my quality and timeliness of care will be degraded. But I sure as hell don't want to pay for everyone to go to college let alone pay off everyone's student debt. That's insane. And the green new deal sounds like something 10 year olds would come up with. If you've ever worked a government contract you'd agree. Politics and the country in general need a sharp correction to the right before we become like France or Germany, yellow vests shutting everything down and under the heavy weight of the EU thumb.
@@beentheredonethatoriginals5673 Actually, it's provably and statistically not the best system. You're just parroting a line that no longer holds any meaning. It's the hybrid countries that measure much higher on the happiness factor than the US.
Hi Robert Reich, I just wanted to thank you for the consistently captivating and informative content. I’m glad there are still great humans like you who always stand for fairness and use your platform to give us hope in times of uncertainty.
@@megahappy2bemeIntheStarz Real gematria from mark Alan king is revealing that! Says the freemasons are going to get hunted down world wide. They will be executed or jailed for life. This will be divinely inspired with the most high and his angels and 144K spiritual elect
Way off base fm9572. You are distorting things, don't you think? Fascism is primarily distinguished as political control of everything in the economic arena, with bureaucratic offices controlling production and income and prices for goods and services to the n_th degree. I don't buy into the notion that regulations which help streamline or stabilize the economy and provide some social justice for those harmed by the economy are tantamount to Fascism. Likewise, I'm hesitant to agree that all unearned benefits for the rich, within the political arena, are "socialism" for the rich (but it comes close). Granted, all governments modulate their economy here or there, but it's nowhere close to what a Fascist system is all about. Save the term "Fascism" for where it really exists.
@Tom Krohn I agree. Anything that gets in the way of top down economic control is suppressed, with no compunction about excess force. Fascism, in my view, is a megalomaniac ideology of forced national unity - no concerns for quality of life for the individual. It was expected that once all the undesirables and troublemakers (including other countries) were eliminated, everyone left would be better off. It's always a matter of suffering now, for the sake of a better future.The Soviets expected the present generations to suffer and sacrifice for the sake of some future Utopian "truly communist state", and Americans and others are expected to do things the hard way via democracy for the sake of "a more perfect union". There is a spectrum of how much weight you place on inhumane but effective immediate action vs humane but inefficient due process. I wonder how such due process will be adhered to when faced with the existential threats of global warming and overpopulation.
Just as often, we hear the policies and vote in favor of the best ones, only for the electoral collage to override our needs/wants and put up their puppet anyway. Let's not forget about voter suppression and gerrymandering. :D 'Murica.
Actually it's no aristocracy but bourgeoisie. Aristocrats value éducation and knowledge while they despise money. Bourgeoisie loves money thinking they can buy a status or a social rank. Bourgeoisie will always have a taste of nouveau riche without the classy style. That's why they are dangerous because of their lack of conscience.
And otherwise set you vote in the voting booth on the candidate, that has a transparent political agenda on their website to change this, and which is supported by what they say in speeches, rallies and interviews. Political agendas questioned and sought to be fairly exposed/clarified by journalists with some integrity.
What he says about socialism = handouts is true of a social democracy which is actually a form of capitalism. It is not the true meaning of true socialism
@Soren G actually no that's not what socialism means. The definition of a socialism is the belief that the means of production, distribution and exchange should owned or regulated by the community as a whole, usually meaning a democratic government. I'm not even a socialist it just pisses me off when I see Americans cry socialism over any economic policy that's even slightly left of center. Also by what measure is the us the most prosperous country on the planet?
@Soren G "Idea of everyone being equal, except for small elite" 1. Do you get your definitions of ideas from voices in your head or something? Socialism means means of production and natural resources being owned by everyone in equal measure. 2. Wtheck does "equal" means in your mind? Socialism is about humans being *economically* equal, but just "equal".
Dr. of Dubious Wisdom Don't forget the huge bailouts/handouts/tax breaks under the Obama administration...and previous democrats. Dems, Reps, they serve the oligarchs just the same.
It's funny how everyone dumps on Trump and ignores the enormous failures of Obama, arguably the most corrupt president ever. This country's going in a terrible direction when getting things done is scandalized.
@@williamjewell6247 hard times to be an outspoken racist, hm? But do you want to know what's really funny? Compared to 45 even G. W. Bush looks sane and smart. This is really funny - or sad just as you like. At least Obama hadn't to pardon members of his government or family BEFORE thereis a lawsuit filed anyway. That tells something about how corrupt Trump was. But hey he wasn't a PoC so he must have been better ... Get rid of your ideologic glasses and grow mature!
@@JoeWolsing It's quite entertaining how you so confidently say so absurd things, like saying that Trump was more corrupt than Trump. Firstly, Trump isn't a racist. He's not a white supremacist, he's not against black people, and he's not out to get you. You've been spoon-fed this narrative that "orange man bad" and "obama good," while you're ignoring empirical evidence, which includes Trump condemning white supremacists 50+ times. Great way to prove Trump is corrupt, folks. He did one bad thing. Got him! But seriously, Obama has done so much worse. He built the cages at the border. He implemented a hugely wasteful program known as Obamacare. He pardoned almost 2,000, and you're upset that Trump pardoned one? Whether or not what Trump did was right is not the topic of this discussion. "Get rid of your ideologic glasses and grow mature!" Soooo... what you're saying is that anybody who shows any sympathy at all for Trump is immature and uneducated and needs to be reeducated. Assuming that because someone else has a different political standing makes them not as mature as you. Yknow, I think that's about as immature as you can get.
Revolution is the only option. And unfortunately it won't be pretty. Most Americans can't go a week without a paycheck so they are chained with the fear of uncertainty. This keeps them subservient from any uprising. This model has been evolving for hundreds of years and is so fine tuned now it's scary.
@ unskilled labor is competing against 3rd world labor and technology. It also represents a pretty significant portion of the middle class. Capital needed labor to bring it's products to market during the agrarian age and the industrial age. Now tech firms are monetizing data and won't need labor. Technology is making labor even more obsolete. That's a recipe for feudalism and civil unrest because people will look to government if the business cycle cannot help them to sustain an adequate lifestyle. 20% of the population owns 80-90% of the stock market. As it stands, the economy is not working for the vast majority of the people. Corporations account for 7-8% of government revenue and that was BEFORE the tax cuts. Capitalism needs to be saved from itself.
"Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's 1966 speech to the Medical Committee for Human Rights.
That is really a good quote from MLK. Everyone should be able to get healthcare and not have to go into massive debt or go broke to pay off outrageous medical bills.
@@whiskers4me Yes, really...In any country that claims to be "first world" and civilized. And points their finger at other countries for this or that reason. The US is the only country whose healthcare system (actually a non-system) is firmly affixed in the corporate Wall Street/commodities and privilege column. Over the many decades it's been normalized. Two excellent sites: Physicians for a National Health Program Healthcare Now!
Islamic law mandates the rich to pay 2.5% of their non-invested nor circulated cash annually, also known as Zakat or zakah, which literally translates to purify, growth and bless. This creates a balance between the most upper-class & the lowest class citizens. And god promises that no money decreses from zakah, instead it'll grow back and be blessed. As god says in ch.2 verse 261 translated from the Quran: "THE PARABLE of those who spend their possessions for the sake of God is that of a grain out of which grow seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains: for God grants manifold increase unto whom He wills; and God is infinite, all-knowing." So rich muslims dont hate or try to avoid zakaah, knowing their wealth will be preserved and grown.. most of of them at least.
@@kellinitely4709 you probably do but don't even realise it, because all muslims are living according to this law. And because your law definitely already has multiple components of the islamc law, like freedom of religion and belief. dont think the law is just about beheading killers, media lies and hides the full truth. Islamic law is the most holistic law there is. Its about economical justice, social tidings, health preserving, knowledge spreading, and most importantly the equality between all races and ages, no matter how poor or rich, strong or weak, man or women, they're all are equal in the eyes of justice. Mohammed peace be upon him once said that even if his moat beloved daughter of his stole, he would apply justice on her.
It’s been getting worse since the late seventies. The most recent with the trump tax breaks that have expired for the working class but made permanent for corporatists.
Reagan was the beginning of vulture capitalism. Trickle down economics. Defunding public education. Mucking up Latin America. Reagan is the guy moderate Republicans admire. Reagan poisoned the idea of government working for Americans. Democracy requires an educated and informed population. We don't have one. Profit before humanity. 1988- 2021
As a quaker I solomly hold equality in my heart and I'm sickened to see and feel the effects of manipulation of a system that shouts from the hills to be fair whilst being totally the opposite.
thank you Robert Reich for setting the record right / my only fear is that it will fall on deaf ears and ignorant minds to those that need to hear it the most.
I am not from the United States but this is what I've thought also in the last few years. The people of the U.S. are being left behind by the people that they have hired to take care of them. The result is the death of the middle class. When it comes that the government is caught up in senseless arguments instead of directing its power and finance towards the people that hired them, it becomes a bad sitcom that is hiding behind the honor of capitalism, the people are told that social benefits are not what capitalism is about and should not demand anything from their government. Yet the politicians aren't in that class, they get everything taken care of . I believe that in France they beheaded their royalty for the same reason? The only difference is in the US.they don't even offer to give the people cake.
if the current system is fair then I am a super massive black hole disguised as a human being. (seeing as the Earth is still here that is not the case.)
@Geto Daco the majority differs from country to another, what the majority believes in the USA is different to what the majority believes in France, China, Germany, Egypt, or Russia.... But there is one thing that is for sure, the economic and political structure of the USA is based on double standards and hypocrisy, tax cuts and free loans for rich people who have billions upon billions, so they can get more rich, while the workers who MAKE these companies rich by staying loyal to the job by showing every day at the work and produce what the company sells, although they are not paid what they deserve, are taxed to death with barely any reliable social programs, and then their money that they paid in taxes goes to fund rich people and endless wars and interventions....that is the reason there are no unions or reliable nation wide social programs, because the majority of the people must be slaves to the rich and not have any other method to stay alive but to accept the job which doesn't pay the fair amount compared to the amount of work needs to be done....
Thank you. 5 trillion up in Smoke pluse in 08 generating predatory real estate acquisitions by greedy speculators who then raised rents beyond what a regular human can afford in cities around the U.S. leading to our current modern version of Dickensian poverty in America.
At this point it almost seems like choose your Masters. Corporate, theocratic, or the state. I choose to rule myself. It's not easy, often dangerous, but in the end it's all my fault. And that's just how I like it.
Great video! The word socialism needs more accurate definition to spare itself of being misused. Socialism should not be associated with handouts except to the extent of pointing out that such is exactly what it means when we talk about socialism for the rich, as this video rightfully points out. Indeed, while many capitalism advocates deny that socialism is already an institution in the US, it is very important to unveil the double standards in who is the main beneficiary of the denied socialism. Fair is another suitable term for socialism and the focus should be on the productive workers who only get the crumb of the cake. It is a grave mistake for socialists to associate socialism with homeless and social welfare programs, while in that context socialism serves a great function as well. Socialism should be presented as a counter measure to the greed of private elite interest, not as an attack on the true free enterprise, which is at least a good thing in theory. We all know that free market in capitalist context means the freedom to bully out, confiscate and liquidate the little guy demanding no government intervention to counter the elite venture aggression, but still socialists should focus their purpose on defending the productive workers as this video rightfully and effectively does. Capitalism must be stripped out naked because it only benefits the mighty minority and belligerently dismisses the interest of the working majority. In other words, capitalism is grounded into fascist modes. Speaking of democracy, capitalism is elite and selective exercise of power that undermines democratic principles. The workplace as Dr. Wolff points out is excluded from political democracy and that where democracy should really begins at. Who cares about freedom of expression when one is hungry and cold? Basic needs and work compensation takes priority over all other forms of political democracy.
Capitalism has failed. Given that the US population has been effectively propagandized to reject socialism out of hand, I think wed be much better served with a system like the one in place in Scandinavia, which is nominally capitalist, but which limits capitalism's harm by layering on top of it a lot of robust social programs.
@@jetstream6389 Fine there must be a compromise to get everybody aboard so we'll settle for social democracy (Its technically still capitilism but its good).
@@JastwatchingYT Kind of like Britain. Also a capitalist country with free enterprise and private business but doesn't allow businesses to control the government. Capitalism isnt America's problem. America's problem is they're doing capitalism wrong and letting businesses control government rather than exist separately from government
@@baltimoreravens4eva560 They are doing capitalism wrong by doing too much capitalism, you could say that you can overdose on capitalism or socialism in a way.
I was a year ahead of Bill Clinton at Georgetown. The Econ courses were essentially Milton Friedman/Chicago School of Econ proponents, decrying unions and "the wage-price spiral" theory. 30 years later, near the end of his presidency, Glass-Steagall was repealed, opening up Wall Street's financial shenanigans floodgates. Clinton had become a neolib, but the same education made me a democratic socialist.
Good job Mr Reich. As a side note, Chase gives its CEO Jamie Dimon $20 million plus every year, cuts jobs for workers who've been there for 20 years and makes them train their replacements who are in the U.S. on student visas and green cards. The same Jamie who just recently said pay inequality is a problem. Yes Jaime, it is.
JW And they get what they pay for in terms of employee loyalty and customer satisfaction... I mean seriously, why would I really push myself to succeed at a job and take pride in it when I'm told constantly that I'm replaceable as soon as I become "too expensive" to retain?
I saw him speak when he ran for governor of Massachusetts. I never go to political rallies but he is engaging and brilliant. He motivates people with his intellect not bullshit. America is missing a great opportunity here.
@@yuhboijosiah8083 You mean like conservatives have been doing the last 2 years straight? At least democrats (as much as i think they are equally corrupt) try to put it into things our country needs, not just solely the pockets of the rich.
I am an English man living in England and it is just the same here, always has been. I am 77 years old and find it difficult to understand how the majority cannot see how they are being used, very sad.
You are speaking to the converted here. The need is to bust a whole range of historic and economic myths held by the general public and then convince them of the need for change. Just one example would be Trickle Down Economics.
The second I learned about trickle down economics in A level economics, I knew it was bullshit. The teacher admitted it straight up doesn't work but it was on the curriculum so we had to learn it.
@@Stegibbon Neoliberalism aka free market/ free enterprise deregulation, privatization of public government, trick down tax free economics capitalism was implemented in every College business and economics school in the US . Even workers believed now.
The US economy hasn't been fair in decades. Except for Bill Clinton's presidency. I was selfempliyeed and my business grew in Leaps and Bounds. Nothing like it since.
It was pretty terrific during Eisenhower's terms, too, which was when we had a very graduated income tax Republicans whined about incessantly, but it got the economy a huge middle class and the Interstate Highway System.
@@wendyscott8425 We also had a 70% tax on high incomes to pay off the War debt, the Interstate comes from a study done before Roosevelt died as a "make work" scheme to help put Americans back to peaceful work after the war. The '50s weren't as peaceful as you remember from "Happy Days"; the auto unions , transportation and construction were in a constant turmoil of strikes and strike threats, employers like Ford locking the contract union help out and working scabs. Eisenhower's WH was plenty busy- but all you saw was Ike out on the golf course- he was a great commander, both military and civilian- he never let anyone see him sweat!
@@fredericrike5974 Since Ike was the first president I remember, I didn't need _Happy Days_ to remind me what life was like back then, thank you. America has never been a haven of peace for all its citizens, but there have been times when a thriving middle class grew and became dominant, and that certainly was what I experienced growing up in the 50s and 60s. Yes, there were strikes, which were a good thing because without them, as we see today, people get fewer wage increases and fewer benefits while the shareholders and owners get more of the profits, profits they make on the backs of the workers with the stagnant wages. When I was young, our family lived in San Francisco, and my father could support our family of four working as a salesman for a good-sized office supply company downtown. My mother didn't usually work. I remember she had a part-time secretarial job for a while, but she certainly didn't work all the time we were growing up. My dad's pension as well as Social Security supported her until she passed away two years ago at the age of 98 and left us quite a fortune in the process as she had enough left over to play the stock market, which she did very well. Of course, the taxes were high for the rich. And guess what. _They were still rich._ Words to this effect were stated by Frank Sinatra. If he weren't all freaked out at his high tax rate, I don't see why our rich people today, who are ten times as wealthy as he was most likely can't pay a little more in order to support all the things government is supposed to provide, like infrastructure, courts, and schools. The rich today don't pay anywhere near the 90% they paid in the 50s. The tax scam of Don the Con gave them even less to pay in taxes as if they needed the money, and that has done precisely nothing to help our economy, although he will act like it was all because of him that so many people are working. I call BS. He forgets or refuses to remember it was President Obama who saved our economy from the Republicans in 2008 and saved our auto industry, which Hair Furor is now doing his best to wreck. Gawd. I'm mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take this anymore!!!!
The first problem that we have to address is there should be lobbyists, but the truth is we have 1800 lobbyists❤ this is the first thing we should change
Thank you for putting the truth out. I have always had respect for you and your concern for the working class people. I look forward to hearing more. You speak in simple terms that I can use to share with others.
I agree with what you say. I'm a great fan of the free market and I would love to abolish corporatism which includes subsidies for banks, fossil fuels and motor industries. If the common man doesn't get a safety net then neither should the politician and their cronies.
What is wrong with you people; you should be happy that you pay to make our beloved billionaires and multimillionaires richer and richer. I for one, I'm so glad that they take my hard earned dollars and give it to people who already have a few billions. If you are having problems with all these it's because you haven't read the definition of fair in the Republican Party's user Manual. Please read and you will see that this is all fair.
th-cam.com/video/RNineSEoxjQ/w-d-xo.html Carlson Tucker and Fox News often use False Consciousness to divert people attention from what really matter. Watch it, see how they do it. Instead of talking about problem with Tax Cut for the Rich, they talk about "Racist Tree". Just like Rome use Gladiators and Arena to distract people from real problems.
“What we have in this country is socialism for the rich and powerful, and rugged individualism for everyone else.” I believe that was said by Dr. Martin Luther King, but I could be wrong.
Those that are in a position to do something about it are paid not to that’s how political campaigns are run. Look into The Citizens United decision and who financed it
And by the way, Happy Fouth Of July !!!!! I love your video on the difference between patriotism and nationalism. I am a true patriot. I believe in the vision of original America and why we started the USA, and why we fought for our independence. But I do not believe in the corrupt state that it has become. In my opinion the United States of America is severely damaged and is in strong need for damage control and restoration, in order to survive and move forward.
Your comments describe what I’ve been screaming about for years. When people lose their jobs, through no fault of their own, and look to the government for help, immediately you’ll hear cries from the “right” to “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps” or denigrating them by saying they’re always looking for a handout or something for nothing, while ignoring the very thing they’re guilty of!!!! We need an overhaul of our economic system to make it fair for everyone and not just a few at the top. 😡😡😡😡
He will get into main stream media and then every single media company is going to demonize him to the normal folks and then his credibility would plummet. How do you even go against the system at that point?
I’ve been a big fan of Robert Reich for a long time, I share this information at every opportunity. Thanks for your breakdown of our “rigged / corrupt” government. 😤💀
We are in a system that works perfectly. This is exactly how the founding fathers designed this country. Trying to change this model of supporting the rich on the backs of the middle class has been a battle from its inception. The rich are the powerful and always demanding the status quo. It is going to take us middle class to say enough is enough and make the changes we need. But we are too preoccupied in making ends meet to do what has to be done. We need a social revolution to overturn the ideas of the powerful rich and take our country in another direction.
Correct. Look at the Crash of 1792, for example. Socialism for the ultra-wealthy has always existed in this country in some shape or form. It's another form of feudalism.
We live in an era where hard work and loyalty to a company will not get you anywhere but to an early grave.
@ Bull shit, I know really good skilled laborers who got fucked their entire life, no vacation, no raises. Unions are bad mmkay. Bunch of clowns.
@ Actually, most times when an employee offers "unskilled labor", they get fired. (Unless they're Trump.) The rest of them just get worked to the grave. There's a reason for the term "dead end job."
Rosalie No, those who earn less than $15/hour or so are unskilled. What unskilled means in the labor market is that what you do, isn’t scarce. You are easily replaceable. Look at the Walmart or fast food crowd - most of them are unskilled...that’s why the pay is so low.
You can joke about Trump all you wish, and other sjw’s will laugh...but don’t get it twisted..he’s quite skilled.
Lol 😂😂
Brilliant video! *Before voting in 2020, normal American politicians* Also, Trump and any cult followers who are *not insane* NEED to educate themselves on what real Socialism is about, in modern times! So they STOP confusing it with Stalinism, Communism, or National Socialism.
*Before 2020, Congress needs to hold fact-finding public hearings* That will show American voters (esp. Trumpists) the benefits to society of EVERYBODY paying for Healthcare thru fair taxation! For example, like in RICH Capitalist-Socialist countries like Sweden, Denmark, UK, Holland etc
US corporate capitalism: The profits are privatized, the losses are socialized.
Nailed it
Well put!
Amen spot on
Nail. Head.
global capitalism. Th e big corp have much more power -and money- than any state. So, politics is subordinate to the interests of a small group of global economic controllers, in the rich countries, and more much in the poorest
When you work 2 or more jobs and still struggle to make ends meet, it's not laziness and entitlements that are the problem. It's the system.
Maybe if you had learned a skill you could make more money.. this country is producing a lot of idiots they can play video games but don’t know anything of value, have no skills whatsoever and will struggle the rest of their lives!
@@luciustate4386 or it's just the sheer exploitation of desperate low-income people by people in positions of power. Maybe, if the people who had the most influence on the people making the laws of the land were poor people, the country's economy would be geared at raising people out of abject poverty. I mean China did it, 850 million people (almost x3 US population) were lifted out of poverty in 30 years. China! When they started they had an agrarian economy. American can, but won't, there are too many vested interests in people's poverty.
Tshepo Masiea
You don’t really know what you’re talking about. China became a wealthy country because dumbasses in the United States allow them to run over us economically. That shit has stopped now that President Trump took over. In four more years the USA will be back on top again. Many other countries are pulling away from China now
@@luciustate4386 lmao,!
LUCIUS TATE dude you act like everyone can just learn a skill and get a job. When everyone has a skill what jobs will be left. I will give you an example. Big tech. So many people with so many skills but people with skills are still poor.
Amazon paid $0 in taxes, and i paid $27k total this year from my income tax.
The Government loves to tax those who have jobs, but not those who have huge businesses
Amazon didn't just pay zero they got a $129 million dollar REFUND. They took your money and mine and gave it to them.
Sunny shah my advice to you: start a business and get a good accountant. There. Now you can earn refunds
@@gibransaliba8801 Easier said than done.
I don't even know where to get started on it.
How to get clients, how do you even get a good accountant etc..
Never got a chance to learn or do any of that.
@@BangMaster96 I want you to look up a channel on TH-cam called Money Income Profit. I subscribed to that channel, bought some courses where I learned how to start a business, and I have started successful businesses already. You can also get into network marketing and enjoy the tax benefits of the ultra rich. Matter of fact, I want you to start getting into self help. It will benefit you greatly dude. If you want to become rich, you can. Regardless of your circumstance
Brilliant video! *Before voting in 2020, normal American politicians* Also, Trump and any cult followers who are *not insane* NEED to educate themselves on what real Socialism is about, in modern times! So they STOP confusing it with Stalinism, Communism, or National Socialism.
*Before 2020, Congress needs to hold fact-finding public hearings* That will show American voters (esp. Trumpists) the benefits to society of EVERYBODY paying for Healthcare thru fair taxation! For example, like in RICH Capitalist-Socialist countries like Sweden, Denmark, UK, Holland etc
"Socialism for the rich and capitalism for the rest"
Such a true statement
You clearly don’t know what socialism actually is.
@@alanbrooke144 You dont apparently lol.
K Man, The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King jr. said it back in the 60's before he was murdered . . . . . it is probably WHY he was murdered ! ! !
@@alanbrooke144 , I have lived under a communist government and learned about socialism in school. They are not a pretty system but you need know the difference between socialism and democratic socialism. They are two different systems, a concept some people can't comprehend.
@@alanbrooke144
Bezos of Amazon surely knows what socialism is.
"Under socialism for the rich, you can screw up big time and still reap huge rewards." That's it right there!!!!!!
It's like giving the trophy to the losing team because the team got a head start and was favored by the refs.
When the game is rigged, I say the poor and lower middle class should probably cheat in order to even the playing field. Got to make the game fair somehow.
Agreed. The government should be working for us, not against us.
Hell, the ECONOMY should be working for us, not against us.
Yes in theory but not in practice sad.
You might find some answers here,
th-cam.com/video/rStL7niR7gs/w-d-xo.html
Republicans have always wanted to work against the average Americans while working for the super rich!
@@grandwonder5858 because that is who funds them!
I LOVE and HATE these videos. I Love the quality and information. But i hate the harsh reality of how unfair our current world is. Great Jobs, All
If only he told the entire truth and not the Democratic Party's version of what they want you to believe.
@@Singlesix6 I guess you’d be surprised to know that overall the Democratic Party is just as neoliberal as the republicans. There’s only a few democrats who are actual progressives and left learners. Not the whole party like most believe when it comes to matters like this.
Mr. Robert Reich, thanks for telling people the facts and educated them. Keep doing this service. We really need someone to tell us the truth about the system. Thanks again!
This video gives you a lot to think about
What video game?
@@TheChrisgojai Sir, This isn't about a video game.
@@gmoops8986 He said "video," not "video game."
It only gives me one thing to think about.
@@danafarrar3583 it says video game
The College Admissions scandal reminds me that America is NOT a meritocracy, without even mentioning the economy.
Even before the college admissions scandal, so-called Ivy League Schools had a disproportionate number of kids from wealthy parents attending. Such schools aren't even worth going to. You can get a good degree at a regular university or community college and still get a good job or the same job as somebody who attended a "better school". And even if you get a good job you can still be fired more easily from a "good job" or overworked regardless of your salary.
If that sounds like a screwed up system, it's because it kind of is. You work hard in school to work hard at work and you never get to live a full life or spend time with family because you're always working. Aside from a little extra money from having a degree but not nearly as much as the boss makes, where is the reward?
It's like a serfs and masters system. Slavery with a paycheck.
The fact that education is privatized show that America isn’t a meritocracy.
What about the union guys getting their children into the union when the books are closed to everyone else? That's the way life is and has been. You just can't pick on one class of folks.
It's amazing how many ppl don't get it. Thank you for laying it out do simply👍
@Flap Jack oh look another basement dwelling, edgy boi, incel came here to project.
@Flap Jack at least when I suck off a billionaire he gives me soros bucks lul
and will continue to vote again and again and again for those who screw them each and every single time.
@@STScott-qo4pw It's even more evident in today's environment than it was last year when this post was written. It's sad when folks think they are the patriotic Americans when voting for everything that benefits the top 5% at their own expense.
how ironic, because you thought he was telling the truth.
Spot on, as always Mr. Reich!!!
Capitalism pays the salaries from marxist professors .
Whats wrong with capitalism ?
@@koerttijdens1234 Maybe don't listen to morons like Jordan Peterson and actually get mad at the US government for subsiding banks and billionaires and Republicans cutting estate taxes?
@@TheArtkaw Not all professors are morons.
@@TheArtkaw So you demanded why he's not angry at republicans for subsidizing business and banks and cutting their taxes. You know, the stuff the right calls socialism whenever someone proposes doing it for anyone who isn't rich. Koert's response? Dodge the question entirely.
@Frederic Bastiat , oh look a a**hole calling someone else a a**hole
👏 Pointing out the hypocrisy of the rich and of neoliberalism.
I salute you.
What is neo liberalism?
@jadedbrad en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoliberalism
As a 78 yr. old person, 1 of 7 kids, my father had a simple factory job with a company that wasn't the best-paying place around. My mother took in sewing and ironing. And yet, we had a big old home with 4 bedrooms in town. We had a car out front, food on the table, and clothes on our backs. Since 1983 under Reagan, we as a nation, at the behest of Big Corporate Interests, GAVE away nearly all of our Manufacturing with Zero consequences if there was a revolution, or something similar, in the Slave Wage nation, they would be Bailed Out by the Taxpayers, as we did for the Wall St. Banks 15 years ago. When we started that, China wasn't much more than a 3rd world nation. LOOK AT THEM NOW!! If we had to go to WWII today, we couldn't do it!! We no longer have the manufacturing facilities, nor the Skilled labor that goes with them. We don't even have Steel Mills anymore!. And God forbid that we ever go to WWIII with China!! Where would we get our spare parts?? We are no longer "The United States of America." We are NOW "The CORPORATE States of America!" And they OWN all 3 branches of our Government, (which are supposed to "Represent" their constituents) and all of the so-called "Regulatory" agencies that are supposed to protect "We The People" from those Greedy Corporations. Where do we go from here?
And sadly, many poor and middle class support this socialism for the rich, Harsh capitalism for the rest of us. 😢
Wonderful Robert! I have come to rely on your honesty, knowledge and common sense! You Sir are a National treasure!
Thank you from the bottom of my hopeless heart for these videos, Robert Reich.
GMPO3 hopefully not too hopeless.
The most infuriating thing is that this video got more accurate in the pandemic.
no
@@robertprice9052 Nice rebuttal. I know of ten people who made $700 billion, doubling their collective wealth, during the pandemic alone.
The title is powerful. Amazing breakdown.
To bad its wrong and short-sighted. But I'm sure it gave you a TDS chubby.
I'm libertarian and I agree 100% with what is said in this video!
Sorry but your not a libertarian.😂
No you’re a idiot for actually thinking socialism works if this country is socialist who’s gonna take the risk of debt and take the time and hard work to start a company just to be paid the same as a janitor who cleans the floor America is built so you get rewarded for taking risks and creating a source of income (especially if it is from foreign counties) to people who just want money and aren’t willing to take the risks and do the hard work what fucking lazy idiot believes this shit if everything is getting handed to you while you sleep and aren’t doing anything where is it gonna come from the beginning? Also this whole big business doesn’t pay taxes shit is the stupidest thing I’ve heard in my life of course they pay fucking taxes if you didn’t you wouldn’t be getting tax write offs McDonald’s has to pay taxes on the buns they buy why would they have to pay even more when tax time comes around that’s literally just double dipping in their bank account god you socialists are such idiots maybe look at China or Venezuela while it was socialist and see how that went.
@@Ninja-gr1fj "McDonald’s has to pay taxes on the buns they buy why would they have to pay even more when tax..." You mean kind of like how I pay taxes on my income then pay sales tax on my food? Taxing them for the purchase of buns, then taxing them for the income produced from selling a finished product like a Big Mac is similar, if not essentially identical. Your rationale doesn't really work when applied generally. Not to mention we aren't promoting socialism here, nor is this video. We're promoting corporate responsibility. Did you even watch the video? Robert himself says in many of his videos there's nothing inherently wrong with inequality, however, exacerbated inequality often leads to an erosion of democratic safeguards against aristocratic oligopolies, which pose existential threats to both capitalism AND democracy. Most of us watching this video don't want socialism, we just want a capitalism that is sustainable, efficient, and benefits all.
Thankfully, you're not a libertarian. You just fell in love with libertarianism because it seemed like a cool brand to identify with.
@Rend Every labels are twisted in America. Even the term ''Left'' is completly misleading. To believe the Democrats are to left is a total joke.
Never heard this explained so well. What a great show.👍
Socialism for the rich, CRAPitalism on the rest of us.
Trickle-down theory of economics: it's good to let rich people piss on you.
Well coined!
Yup and I have to use your word for it because it is very descriptive and true.
@@baruchben-david4196 Well I hope the 100+k we paid one year trickled to somewhere! We are a family of 3 who sold a business share. 50% to IRS and state.
People didn’t get rich sitting on their ass and complaining about other people! People with your mindset will never amount to anything. Y’all are just a bunch of idiots!
I wonder why FOX never brings on Mr. Reich for a discussion? 🤔🤷♂️
Because he's a socialist shill with small minded ideas.
Capitalism is the best system we've ever seen on this planet. What this guy is complaining about isn't socialism for the rich, its crony capitalism. Reich is trying to get everyone on board with being a victim. Screw that.
The wordplay Reich is using is a simple minded attempt at demonizing capitalism (just look at the opening graphic) and FABRICATING a term (is this a new leftist buzzword) "socialism for the rich" which is intentionally misleading because anyone with 2 brain cells knows it is crony capitalism, the worst side of a free market economy.
Gore, the Clintons, Reich himself all got wealthy in this system as well. How many corporations did the Obama administration bail out? It happens on both sides.
@@beentheredonethatoriginals5673 Robert Reich is not a socialist shill; he's quite moderate on a global scale. This is why you have people saying Bernie Sanders would be mainstream or moderate left in Europe.
The problem is U.S. politics has moved so right since its politicians serve corporations over people, and they idolize supply-side economics. It wasn't until recently that righties started calling Reich a socialist every time his name is mentioned.
Look at this article: robertreich.org/post/22542609387
That far from shilling for socialism
@@rickJstar ok maybe not a socialist shill but I'm all too familiar with his cozy relationship with Sanders, who is definitely a socialist. And I used to really like Sanders. I voted for him in the primary in fact. He's gone even further left however, and once you hit a certain tax bracket you sit up and take notice of where your 50K in taxes is going. I think universal health care is a good thing for the US even though I know my quality and timeliness of care will be degraded.
But I sure as hell don't want to pay for everyone to go to college let alone pay off everyone's student debt. That's insane. And the green new deal sounds like something 10 year olds would come up with. If you've ever worked a government contract you'd agree.
Politics and the country in general need a sharp correction to the right before we become like France or Germany, yellow vests shutting everything down and under the heavy weight of the EU thumb.
@@beentheredonethatoriginals5673 Actually, it's provably and statistically not the best system. You're just parroting a line that no longer holds any meaning. It's the hybrid countries that measure much higher on the happiness factor than the US.
Hi Robert Reich, I just wanted to thank you for the consistently captivating and informative content. I’m glad there are still great humans like you who always stand for fairness and use your platform to give us hope in times of uncertainty.
"The only time the rich are harmless is when they are running for their lives"
Yup and I would love ro see that too. "Off with their heads"!
Put them in stokvsde
@@megahappy2bemeIntheStarz Real gematria from mark Alan king is revealing that! Says the freemasons are going to get hunted down world wide. They will be executed or jailed for life. This will be divinely inspired with the most high and his angels and 144K spiritual elect
Change is coming, it is inevitable, the further the divide between the rich and poor, the more brutal the change becomes.
History teaches us.
When one is starving and hopeless, an explosive vest seems like a pretty good way out.
Remember the French revolution? Yeah, let them eat cake
_ hard to replicate in the U$A - don't forget them nuclear-tipped missiles can be 'trained' inwards . .. ...
@@johnransom1146 see above also wishing good luck to those who believe that US christian values will override dreams of 'millionare-hood' ‼
@@victordecastro7221 towards themselves, their food and water? I doubt it.
This is what Dr. Martin Luther King was talking about in his speech "How Long Not Long".
no, not at all
"Socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor" is also known as *FASCISM*
Aka, our current system of government.
Way off base fm9572. You are distorting things, don't you think? Fascism is primarily distinguished as political control of everything in the economic arena, with bureaucratic offices controlling production and income and prices for goods and services to the n_th degree. I don't buy into the notion that regulations which help streamline or stabilize the economy and provide some social justice for those harmed by the economy are tantamount to Fascism. Likewise, I'm hesitant to agree that all unearned benefits for the rich, within the political arena, are "socialism" for the rich (but it comes close). Granted, all governments modulate their economy here or there, but it's nowhere close to what a Fascist system is all about. Save the term "Fascism" for where it really exists.
Confusing simple bureaucracy with fascism does you no favors.
You really have a problem saying "Fascism," don't you?
@Keith Willis That's not fascism.
@Tom Krohn I agree. Anything that gets in the way of top down economic control is suppressed, with no compunction about excess force. Fascism, in my view, is a megalomaniac ideology of forced national unity - no concerns for quality of life for the individual. It was expected that once all the undesirables and troublemakers (including other countries) were eliminated, everyone left would be better off. It's always a matter of suffering now, for the sake of a better future.The Soviets expected the present generations to suffer and sacrifice for the sake of some future Utopian "truly communist state", and Americans and others are expected to do things the hard way via democracy for the sake of "a more perfect union". There is a spectrum of how much weight you place on inhumane but effective immediate action vs humane but inefficient due process. I wonder how such due process will be adhered to when faced with the existential threats of global warming and overpopulation.
The Great American people get suckered by talking points every time and miss the policies
Just as often, we hear the policies and vote in favor of the best ones, only for the electoral collage to override our needs/wants and put up their puppet anyway. Let's not forget about voter suppression and gerrymandering. :D 'Murica.
As always, brilliant, concise, understandable.
You should be Bernie's VP pick!!!
The USA revived the aristocracy quite nicely. As for the commoners, we have to give up on upward mobility and now wait for a man from Sherwood Forest.
Actually it's no aristocracy but bourgeoisie. Aristocrats value éducation and knowledge while they despise money. Bourgeoisie loves money thinking they can buy a status or a social rank. Bourgeoisie will always have a taste of nouveau riche without the classy style. That's why they are dangerous because of their lack of conscience.
Or a woman from the Bronx :)
@@TimEssDub Robyn Hoodette
Oh Robin Hood, where art thou??
And otherwise set you vote in the voting booth on the candidate, that has a transparent political agenda on their website to change this, and which is supported by what they say in speeches, rallies and interviews.
Political agendas questioned and sought to be fairly exposed/clarified by journalists with some integrity.
Now we’re talking. Thank you so much for this!
shop at local retail stores, eat at mom-and-pop restaurants, support farmers' market with your wallets
Finally a video that explains the true meaning of socialism and put in a correct perspective!
What he says about socialism = handouts is true of a social democracy which is actually a form of capitalism. It is not the true meaning of true socialism
@Soren G actually no that's not what socialism means. The definition of a socialism is the belief that the means of production, distribution and exchange should owned or regulated by the community as a whole, usually meaning a democratic government. I'm not even a socialist it just pisses me off when I see Americans cry socialism over any economic policy that's even slightly left of center. Also by what measure is the us the most prosperous country on the planet?
@Soren G
"Idea of everyone being equal, except for small elite"
1. Do you get your definitions of ideas from voices in your head or something? Socialism means means of production and natural resources being owned by everyone in equal measure.
2. Wtheck does "equal" means in your mind? Socialism is about humans being *economically* equal, but just "equal".
@Soren G
What is, in your mind, the definition of socialism?
@Soren G
You're quite right, it's likely useless to continue this discussion. Have a nice life.
Robert Reich...our calm voice of sensible logic & sanity in the crapstorm manure spreader of the Trump era. Thank-you!
Dr. of Dubious Wisdom Don't forget the huge bailouts/handouts/tax breaks under the Obama administration...and previous democrats. Dems, Reps, they serve the oligarchs just the same.
@@Greendragon434 they don't serve them, they are controlled by them, for money controls us all ...
It's funny how everyone dumps on Trump and ignores the enormous failures of Obama, arguably the most corrupt president ever. This country's going in a terrible direction when getting things done is scandalized.
@@williamjewell6247 hard times to be an outspoken racist, hm?
But do you want to know what's really funny? Compared to 45 even G. W. Bush looks sane and smart. This is really funny - or sad just as you like. At least Obama hadn't to pardon members of his government or family BEFORE thereis a lawsuit filed anyway. That tells something about how corrupt Trump was.
But hey he wasn't a PoC so he must have been better ...
Get rid of your ideologic glasses and grow mature!
@@JoeWolsing It's quite entertaining how you so confidently say so absurd things, like saying that Trump was more corrupt than Trump. Firstly, Trump isn't a racist. He's not a white supremacist, he's not against black people, and he's not out to get you. You've been spoon-fed this narrative that "orange man bad" and "obama good," while you're ignoring empirical evidence, which includes Trump condemning white supremacists 50+ times.
Great way to prove Trump is corrupt, folks. He did one bad thing. Got him! But seriously, Obama has done so much worse. He built the cages at the border. He implemented a hugely wasteful program known as Obamacare. He pardoned almost 2,000, and you're upset that Trump pardoned one? Whether or not what Trump did was right is not the topic of this discussion.
"Get rid of your ideologic glasses and grow mature!"
Soooo... what you're saying is that anybody who shows any sympathy at all for Trump is immature and uneducated and needs to be reeducated. Assuming that because someone else has a different political standing makes them not as mature as you. Yknow, I think that's about as immature as you can get.
Socialusm
For the rich is pure “greed”, plain and simple.
(Real and True) Progressives and Social Democracy today, tomorrow and Always! Bernie Sanders in 2020!!
Zero accountability - this doesn’t end well.
Revolution is the only option. And unfortunately it won't be pretty. Most Americans can't go a week without a paycheck so they are chained with the fear of uncertainty. This keeps them subservient from any uprising. This model has been evolving for hundreds of years and is so fine tuned now it's scary.
It ends very well for the Elite segment of society. And they’re the only ones that matter.
If GM goes BK again- oh, well...
2007 was only the Teaser to how this movie really ends
French revolution?
Thanks Robert, once again, for showing America that numbers don’t lie 👍🤙✌️
Outstanding presentation! Clear, succinct, factual. Thank you!
Labor values capitalism but capitalism minimizes the value of labor.
I'd rather see him running the FED reserve, until we get a REAL Federal bank
Thats what I implied. Find a suitable replacement and axe it
Honest to God? You think that the Working Poor who can't even afford housing, that's rational?! More like irrational!
J It’s absolutely rational
@ unskilled labor is competing against 3rd world labor and technology. It also represents a pretty significant portion of the middle class. Capital needed labor to bring it's products to market during the agrarian age and the industrial age. Now tech firms are monetizing data and won't need labor. Technology is making labor even more obsolete.
That's a recipe for feudalism and civil unrest because people will look to government if the business cycle cannot help them to sustain an adequate lifestyle. 20% of the population owns 80-90% of the stock market. As it stands, the economy is not working for the vast majority of the people. Corporations account for 7-8% of government revenue and that was BEFORE the tax cuts. Capitalism needs to be saved from itself.
"Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's 1966 speech to the Medical Committee for Human Rights.
That is really a good quote from MLK. Everyone should be able to get healthcare and not have to go into massive debt or go broke to pay off outrageous medical bills.
@@whiskers4me Yes, really...In any country that claims to be "first world" and civilized. And points their finger at other countries for this or that reason.
The US is the only country whose healthcare system (actually a non-system) is firmly affixed in the corporate Wall Street/commodities and privilege column.
Over the many decades it's been normalized.
Two excellent sites:
Physicians for a National Health Program
Healthcare Now!
Well said. Too true. Time to make things fair. Bernie 2020!
Gotta figure out a way to keep the rich from taking away value and never returning it.
Easy. Raise their taxes.
Islamic law mandates the rich to pay 2.5% of their non-invested nor circulated cash annually, also known as Zakat or zakah, which literally translates to purify, growth and bless. This creates a balance between the most upper-class & the lowest class citizens.
And god promises that no money decreses from zakah, instead it'll grow back and be blessed.
As god says in ch.2 verse 261 translated from the Quran:
"THE PARABLE of those who spend their possessions for the sake of God is that of a grain out of which grow seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains: for God grants manifold increase unto whom He wills; and God is infinite, all-knowing."
So rich muslims dont hate or try to avoid zakaah, knowing their wealth will be preserved and grown.. most of of them at least.
@@abd4620 Sorry we don't have islamic law here and never will.
@@kellinitely4709 you probably do but don't even realise it, because all muslims are living according to this law. And because your law definitely already has multiple components of the islamc law, like freedom of religion and belief.
dont think the law is just about beheading killers, media lies and hides the full truth.
Islamic law is the most holistic law there is. Its about economical justice, social tidings, health preserving, knowledge spreading, and most importantly the equality between all races and ages, no matter how poor or rich, strong or weak, man or women, they're all are equal in the eyes of justice. Mohammed peace be upon him once said that even if his moat beloved daughter of his stole, he would apply justice on her.
@@abd4620 Unless, of course, one is a Bahá'í in a Muslim country. Not too much freedom granted to them to practice their faith.
Thank you for your continued work! I came here to ring the bell! This one needs to go on FB!
Hi from New Zealand,
Thank you for the free education.
Thank you for sharing with the world.
Thanks for countering Prager U's macroeconomic bs jibba jabba!
Oh my gosh.. that person who runs that channel is quite delusional.
@@CarolynsRVLife We're very lucky that Dennis Prager is one of a kind; the fewer people like him out there, the better.
@@scotchrobbins I'm sorry, but these pieces of xxxx grow on trees.
PragerU is paid for by billionaires.
PragerU is another conservative cesspit funded by wealthy people to distract the average person.
This would be a startling revelation, except for the fact that it's been going on for a hundred years! 🙄
It’s been getting worse since the late seventies. The most recent with the trump tax breaks that have expired for the working class but made permanent for corporatists.
and untrue
Reagan was the beginning of vulture capitalism.
Trickle down economics.
Defunding public education.
Mucking up Latin America.
Reagan is the guy moderate Republicans admire.
Reagan poisoned the idea of government working for Americans.
Democracy requires an educated and informed population.
We don't have one.
Profit before humanity. 1988- 2021
It may have been going on for 100 years, but some people (GOP) don't see it.
Awesome video. Thank you for your vital work.
This video was incredibly informative.
As a quaker I solomly hold equality in my heart and I'm sickened to see and feel the effects of manipulation of a system that shouts from the hills to be fair whilst being totally the opposite.
Excellent video, very informative, irrefutable. Thank you for this production. Please keep up the good work!
Thank you, for your brilliant explanation and keeping us informed.
thank you Robert Reich for setting the record right / my only fear is that it will fall on deaf ears and ignorant minds to those that need to hear it the most.
I am not from the United States but this is what I've thought also in the last few years. The people of the U.S. are being left behind by the people that they have hired to take care of them. The result is the death of the middle class. When it comes that the government is caught up in senseless arguments instead of directing its power and finance towards the people that hired them, it becomes a bad sitcom that is hiding behind the honor of capitalism, the people are told that social benefits are not what capitalism is about and should not demand anything from their government. Yet the politicians aren't in that class, they get everything taken care of .
I believe that in France they beheaded their royalty for the same reason?
The only difference is in the US.they don't even offer to give the people cake.
if the current system is fair then I am a super massive black hole disguised as a human being. (seeing as the Earth is still here that is not the case.)
@Geto Daco just because you succeeded in it doesn't mean it's fair, the majority decide if it's fair or not
@Geto Daco the majority differs from country to another, what the majority believes in the USA is different to what the majority believes in France, China, Germany, Egypt, or Russia....
But there is one thing that is for sure, the economic and political structure of the USA is based on double standards and hypocrisy, tax cuts and free loans for rich people who have billions upon billions, so they can get more rich, while the workers who MAKE these companies rich by staying loyal to the job by showing every day at the work and produce what the company sells, although they are not paid what they deserve, are taxed to death with barely any reliable social programs, and then their money that they paid in taxes goes to fund rich people and endless wars and interventions....that is the reason there are no unions or reliable nation wide social programs, because the majority of the people must be slaves to the rich and not have any other method to stay alive but to accept the job which doesn't pay the fair amount compared to the amount of work needs to be done....
I would love just to get out with Robert for about a week just to learn from him one awesome guy
Dr. Reich is so committed to the working class. He would be a great candidate for POTUS!
Thank you for making these videos sir. The internet needs more of you. Badly.
Thank you. 5 trillion up in Smoke pluse in 08 generating predatory real estate acquisitions by greedy speculators who then raised rents beyond what a regular human can afford in cities around the U.S. leading to our current modern version of Dickensian poverty in America.
Thanks for passionately calling out people to really pay attention.
Just another step towards our eventual serfdom.
Eventually? It's now, the corporatist vampires control this country and you're either in the club or you're cattle.
EXACTLY!! People stare at me puzzled when I state that possible conclusion. Thanks
At this point it almost seems like choose your Masters.
Corporate, theocratic, or the state. I choose to rule myself. It's not easy, often dangerous, but in the end it's all my fault. And that's just how I like it.
@@margiestasik8788 People are used to being slaves nowadays to the elite. It is all they know
eventual??
lol
Great video! The word socialism needs more accurate definition to spare itself of being misused. Socialism should not be associated with handouts except to the extent of pointing out that such is exactly what it means when we talk about socialism for the rich, as this video rightfully points out. Indeed, while many capitalism advocates deny that socialism is already an institution in the US, it is very important to unveil the double standards in who is the main beneficiary of the denied socialism.
Fair is another suitable term for socialism and the focus should be on the productive workers who only get the crumb of the cake. It is a grave mistake for socialists to associate socialism with homeless and social welfare programs, while in that context socialism serves a great function as well. Socialism should be presented as a counter measure to the greed of private elite interest, not as an attack on the true free enterprise, which is at least a good thing in theory. We all know that free market in capitalist context means the freedom to bully out, confiscate and liquidate the little guy demanding no government intervention to counter the elite venture aggression, but still socialists should focus their purpose on defending the productive workers as this video rightfully and effectively does. Capitalism must be stripped out naked because it only benefits the mighty minority and belligerently dismisses the interest of the working majority. In other words, capitalism is grounded into fascist modes. Speaking of democracy, capitalism is elite and selective exercise of power that undermines democratic principles. The workplace as Dr. Wolff points out is excluded from political democracy and that where democracy should really begins at. Who cares about freedom of expression when one is hungry and cold? Basic needs and work compensation takes priority over all other forms of political democracy.
Capitalism has failed. Given that the US population has been effectively propagandized to reject socialism out of hand, I think wed be much better served with a system like the one in place in Scandinavia, which is nominally capitalist, but which limits capitalism's harm by layering on top of it a lot of robust social programs.
@@jetstream6389 Fine there must be a compromise to get everybody aboard so we'll settle for social democracy (Its technically still capitilism but its good).
@@JastwatchingYT Kind of like Britain. Also a capitalist country with free enterprise and private business but doesn't allow businesses to control the government. Capitalism isnt America's problem. America's problem is they're doing capitalism wrong and letting businesses control government rather than exist separately from government
@@baltimoreravens4eva560 They are doing capitalism wrong by doing too much capitalism, you could say that you can overdose on capitalism or socialism in a way.
This has been my rant for years.
I was a year ahead of Bill Clinton at Georgetown. The Econ courses were essentially Milton Friedman/Chicago School of Econ proponents, decrying unions and "the wage-price spiral" theory. 30 years later, near the end of his presidency, Glass-Steagall was repealed, opening up Wall Street's financial shenanigans floodgates. Clinton had become a neolib, but the same education made me a democratic socialist.
Good job Mr Reich. As a side note, Chase gives its CEO Jamie Dimon $20 million plus every year, cuts jobs for workers who've been there for 20 years and makes them train their replacements who are in the U.S. on student visas and green cards. The same Jamie who just recently said pay inequality is a problem. Yes Jaime, it is.
Few companies value or respect experienced, loyal workers anymore.
JW And they get what they pay for in terms of employee loyalty and customer satisfaction... I mean seriously, why would I really push myself to succeed at a job and take pride in it when I'm told constantly that I'm replaceable as soon as I become "too expensive" to retain?
Robert, please throw your hand in for 2020. THE COUNTRY NEEDS YOU !!!
Fact 👍
I would vote for this man. Anyone who has a handle on the truth, on reality. Anyone with a mind...😞
Me too! Just imagine an intellectual president with a firm grasp on reality and what he/she could accomplish.
I saw him speak when he ran for governor of Massachusetts. I never go to political rallies but he is engaging and brilliant. He motivates people with his intellect not bullshit. America is missing a great opportunity here.
blipco5 Lol, too many candidates already; maybe he’ll endorse one before voting begins, though.
This is something that both libertarians and progressives agree with, end corporate welfare.
No
Yes, tax cuts for all
You should be the next Secretary of the Treasury, or head of the Federal Reserve.
Yeah so that he and his Democrat friends can walk in and steal all our money
@@yuhboijosiah8083 You mean like conservatives have been doing the last 2 years straight? At least democrats (as much as i think they are equally corrupt) try to put it into things our country needs, not just solely the pockets of the rich.
@@yuhboijosiah8083 Right because Republican's didn't make out like bandits during the great recession.
Please, please, please, run for president Mr. Reich! PLEASE!
I am an English man living in England and it is just the same here, always has been. I am 77 years old and find it difficult to understand how the majority cannot see how they are being used, very sad.
You are speaking to the converted here. The need is to bust a whole range of historic and economic myths held by the general public and then convince them of the need for change. Just one example would be Trickle Down Economics.
Dude, that's not just a issue but the Elephant in the room since Reagan.
Check it out when you get a chance.
th-cam.com/video/myH3gg5o0t0/w-d-xo.html
The second I learned about trickle down economics in A level economics, I knew it was bullshit. The teacher admitted it straight up doesn't work but it was on the curriculum so we had to learn it.
@@Stegibbon Neoliberalism aka free market/ free enterprise deregulation, privatization of public government, trick down tax free economics capitalism was implemented in every College business and economics school in the US . Even workers believed now.
@@vicoilsteems9764 I always say America is the easiest place for a lie to run free. Hopefully economic truth with prevail one day.
The US economy hasn't been fair in decades. Except for Bill Clinton's presidency. I was selfempliyeed and my business grew in Leaps and Bounds. Nothing like it since.
It was pretty terrific during Eisenhower's terms, too, which was when we had a very graduated income tax Republicans whined about incessantly, but it got the economy a huge middle class and the Interstate Highway System.
@@wendyscott8425 We also had a 70% tax on high incomes to pay off the War debt, the Interstate comes from a study done before Roosevelt died as a "make work" scheme to help put Americans back to peaceful work after the war. The '50s weren't as peaceful as you remember from "Happy Days"; the auto unions , transportation and construction were in a constant turmoil of strikes and strike threats, employers like Ford locking the contract union help out and working scabs. Eisenhower's WH was plenty busy- but all you saw was Ike out on the golf course- he was a great commander, both military and civilian- he never let anyone see him sweat!
@@fredericrike5974 Since Ike was the first president I remember, I didn't need _Happy Days_ to remind me what life was like back then, thank you. America has never been a haven of peace for all its citizens, but there have been times when a thriving middle class grew and became dominant, and that certainly was what I experienced growing up in the 50s and 60s. Yes, there were strikes, which were a good thing because without them, as we see today, people get fewer wage increases and fewer benefits while the shareholders and owners get more of the profits, profits they make on the backs of the workers with the stagnant wages. When I was young, our family lived in San Francisco, and my father could support our family of four working as a salesman for a good-sized office supply company downtown. My mother didn't usually work. I remember she had a part-time secretarial job for a while, but she certainly didn't work all the time we were growing up. My dad's pension as well as Social Security supported her until she passed away two years ago at the age of 98 and left us quite a fortune in the process as she had enough left over to play the stock market, which she did very well.
Of course, the taxes were high for the rich. And guess what. _They were still rich._ Words to this effect were stated by Frank Sinatra. If he weren't all freaked out at his high tax rate, I don't see why our rich people today, who are ten times as wealthy as he was most likely can't pay a little more in order to support all the things government is supposed to provide, like infrastructure, courts, and schools. The rich today don't pay anywhere near the 90% they paid in the 50s. The tax scam of Don the Con gave them even less to pay in taxes as if they needed the money, and that has done precisely nothing to help our economy, although he will act like it was all because of him that so many people are working. I call BS. He forgets or refuses to remember it was President Obama who saved our economy from the Republicans in 2008 and saved our auto industry, which Hair Furor is now doing his best to wreck. Gawd. I'm mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take this anymore!!!!
@@wendyscott8425 But, but.. Then they couldn't fund those golden parachutes for themselves when they cause everything to go completely tits up!!!
So, it's only fair if you are benefitting from it?
I liked it. I've followed Peter Joseph for years on the topic.
Thank you for making this video so clear and concise!! Great Job!
I know the solution. We remove the one percent and give them a severance package. Head severance, that is.
:D
“Let them eat cake!”
Marie Antoinette
"Off with their heads!"
Good one.
So would this be the NeoAmeri-French Revolution?
🤔😉🤔😉
The first problem that we have to address is there should be lobbyists, but the truth is we have 1800 lobbyists❤ this is the first thing we should change
“I call it, ‘FAIR.’”
Damn straight, Dr. Reich. I do, too.
Thank you for putting the truth out. I have always had respect for you and your concern for the working class people.
I look forward to hearing more. You speak in simple terms that I can use to share with others.
I agree with what you say. I'm a great fan of the free market and I would love to abolish corporatism which includes subsidies for banks, fossil fuels and motor industries.
If the common man doesn't get a safety net then neither should the politician and their cronies.
What is wrong with you people; you should be happy that you pay to make our beloved billionaires and multimillionaires richer and richer. I for one, I'm so glad that they take my hard earned dollars and give it to people who already have a few billions. If you are having problems with all these it's because you haven't read the definition of fair in the Republican Party's user Manual. Please read and you will see that this is all fair.
Sing along... "Save the Rich," Song and lyrics by Garfunkel and Oates, th-cam.com/video/X26ZZHraGFw/w-d-xo.html
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Carlson Tucker and Fox News often use False Consciousness to divert people attention from what really matter. Watch it, see how they do it. Instead of talking about problem with Tax Cut for the Rich, they talk about "Racist Tree". Just like Rome use Gladiators and Arena to distract people from real problems.
Can't wait to see you in Bernie's cabinet Secretary Reich!
“What we have in this country is socialism for the rich and powerful, and rugged individualism for everyone else.”
I believe that was said by Dr. Martin Luther King, but I could be wrong.
Well said Robert, you have a way of conveying a message clearly and concisely
Another great video. Only one problem; the truth you remind us about is disturbing and is probably raising my blood pressure.
Robert Schlesinger "Keep Calm... and Carry On"
Thank you for exposing these thieves! Why isn't anyone doing anything about this?! And how are they getting away with this? How, why? This is nuts!
Those that are in a position to do something about it are paid not to that’s how political campaigns are run. Look into The Citizens United decision and who financed it
Lobbying, Citizens United, beholden politicians...smells bad to me.
When will CNN or MSNBC show this? Never of course...
That's why they're in cohoots with the feudal fat cat assholes.
You provide such profound incite to what ails our economy & have regressive our tax system is that makes these myths possible.
Great video!
Yup, sounds about right to me! Ty, for helping make it clear.
My old economics professor used to say, “Fair is where they show pigs.”
So Wall St? Right? 🤔
Turns out GM hasn't paid any taxes yet.
And by the way, Happy Fouth Of July !!!!! I love your video on the difference between patriotism and nationalism. I am a true patriot. I believe in the vision of original America and why we started the USA, and why we fought for our independence. But I do not believe in the corrupt state that it has become. In my opinion the United States of America is severely damaged and is in strong need for damage control and restoration, in order to survive and move forward.
Your comments describe what I’ve been screaming about for years. When people lose their jobs, through no fault of their own, and look to the government for help, immediately you’ll hear cries from the “right” to “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps” or denigrating them by saying they’re always looking for a handout or something for nothing, while ignoring the very thing they’re guilty of!!!! We need an overhaul of our economic system to make it fair for everyone and not just a few at the top. 😡😡😡😡
Please run for office you need to be in the main stream media
Exactly! Either that, or he should have his own show on TV!
He will get into main stream media and then every single media company is going to demonize him to the normal folks and then his credibility would plummet. How do you even go against the system at that point?
Preach!
I’ve been a big fan of Robert Reich for a long time, I share this information at every opportunity. Thanks for your breakdown of our “rigged / corrupt” government. 😤💀
We are in a system that works perfectly. This is exactly how the founding fathers designed this country. Trying to change this model of supporting the rich on the backs of the middle class has been a battle from its inception. The rich are the powerful and always demanding the status quo. It is going to take us middle class to say enough is enough and make the changes we need. But we are too preoccupied in making ends meet to do what has to be done. We need a social revolution to overturn the ideas of the powerful rich and take our country in another direction.
Correct. Look at the Crash of 1792, for example. Socialism for the ultra-wealthy has always existed in this country in some shape or form. It's another form of feudalism.