Robert Reich
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rbreich.bsky.social
Robert Reich
@rbreich.bsky.social

Berkeley professor, former Secretary of Labor. Co-founder of @inequalitymedia.bsky.social and @imcivicaction.bsky.social.

Substack: http://robertreich.substack.com

Buy my new book: https://sites.prh.com/reich

Visit my website: https://rbreich.com/ .. more

Robert Bernard Reich is an American professor, author, lawyer, and political commentator. He worked in the administrations of presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, and he served as secretary of labor in the cabinet of President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1997. He was also a member of President Barack Obama's economic transition advisory board. In 2008, Time magazine named him one of the Ten Best Cabinet Members of the century; in the same year The Wall Street Journal placed him sixth on its list of Most Influential Business Thinkers. .. more

Political science 35%
Economics 32%
Pinned
How did my generation – the baby boomers – squander the potential our parents left us?

What can our children do to correct our mistakes?

These are the central questions of my new memoir: Coming Up Short.

You can preorder it now. sites.prh.com/reich

The grasshopper gets it — divide and conquer. Today’s robber barons use the same playbook. But together, we have all the power. Watch.

My shelves are overflowing with books. My closet can't fit any more clothes, most of which I haven't worn in years. My attic is filled to the brim.

All of the Black Friday shopping deals remind me that I'm drowning in stuff. Are you?
Do we really need more stuff?
A proposal for a recycled economy
robertreich.substack.com

Reposted by Anna O. Law

Your Black Friday reminder that Amazon...

-Provides cloud services that help fuel ICE's deportation machine
-Donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund
-Scrapped plans to display tariff costs after pressure from Trump
-Shelled out $40M for a documentary about Melania Trump

Remember: If we allow ourselves to fall into fatalism, or wallow in disappointment, or become resigned to what is rather than what should be, we will lose the long game.

The greatest enemy of positive social change is cynicism about what can be changed.
What do these corporations have in common?

Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel

In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.

This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.

Reposted by Joe R. Feagin

Pope Leo recently said his favorite movie of all time was “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Mine too. The pope’s and my favorite movie has a lot to tell us about where America is right now. Let me explain. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/trump-the-pope-and-me
Trump, the Pope, and me
The real meaning of Pope Leo’s and my favorite film
robertreich.substack.com

Reposted by Joe R. Feagin

Your Black Friday reminder that in 75% of U.S. industries, a smaller number of companies now control more of the business than they did twenty years ago. We must stop the monopolization of America. Shop small if you can, please.

Watch this video before you do your Black Friday shopping on Amazon.

Reposted by Gerald Friedman

The era we are living in offers too many illustrations of greed, narcissism, and hatefulness. But I still believe we can recommit ourselves to serving the common good of all Americans. [Artwork by Jennifer Bloomer]

Conservatives yell “socialism” at every initiative designed to help people.

Maybe you've heard the word a few times already today.

But this is nothing more than an old scare tactic.

A functioning government requires pooling resources for the common good. Let me explain.
Socialism Fear-mongering is Bananas | Robert Reich
Robert Reich
youtu.be

Why do so many feel like they've fallen behind?

It's not because of immigrants, trans people, DEI, the “deep state,” or any other bogeyman trotted out by the GOP.

It's because big corporations and billionaires have rigged markets and siphoned off most of the economy's gains.

How will you cope with your right-wing relatives over the holidays? Here's my advice. https://youtu.be/ByhKM8NBK2E?si=IYoaPqn6gAydGPNV
Your Guide to Dealing with Uncle Bob | Robert Reich
Robert Reich
youtu.be

If inflation comes up at the dinner table, don’t forget to draw attention to a deeper structural driver of high prices: corporate power.

Much of the food industry is dominated by a few corporate giants with the power to keep prices high because they face little competition.

Today, many of us are fortunate enough to share a Thanksgiving dinner with our loved ones. Despite all the darkness and fear around us, our loved ones and the community around us give us sustenance and strength. Some thoughts... https://robertreich.substack.com/p/what-im-thankful-for

Rising grocery prices resulting from Trump’s failure to keep his biggest promise will hit all of us — no matter who we voted for.Remember this at the Thanksgiving table this year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHQygFdcaLo
Did Trump Ruin Thanksgiving?
Robert Reich
www.youtube.com

People often ask me: How are you holding up in these difficult times?

I'm okay — but I want to hear how you're doing. Please let me know in the comments.

Notice how nobody in the Trump regime ever asks, “But how will we pay for it?” when it comes to priorities that benefit them? https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Dxgx5q0QLcI
Money for Argentina but Nothing for You
Robert Reich
www.youtube.com

Sometimes we have to laugh to keep from crying. [Cartoon by Benjamin Slyngstad]

According to a new Economist/YouGov poll, Trump's approval rating is underwater in the majority of states — including 20 states he won last year.

He's flailing on the economy and his party's odds for 2026 are crumbling.

Do not let him convince you he is all powerful.

About 40% of SNAP recipients are children. Around half of ALL children in the country are covered by Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

And the so-called “party of family values” gutted both programs by billions of dollars.

Doesn’t sound very pro-family to me.

Reposted by Jo Barraket

Remember: The recipe for economic growth isn’t tax cuts for the rich. It’s investment in our people — in health care, infrastructure and education — to build a strong middle class.

You don't grow the economy through trickle-down nonsense.

The Trump regime claims they have no problem with "legal immigrants."

Baloney.

Medicare has negotiated lower prices for 15 new drugs, including Ozempic.

This comes despite Trump pushing to repeal the law that made this possible — the Inflation Reduction Act — and his Big Ugly Bill exempting other high-price drugs from negotiations altogether.

Manufacturing culture wars allows Republicans to sound faux populist without having to address the practical problems faced by most Americans — lack of paid sick leave, unaffordable child care and elder care, stagnant wages, and inadequate housing.

Don’t fall for it.

How do you maintain political peace with the relatives during Thanksgiving? Here's the 10-step plan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCjnCToZ7yc
10 Steps To Finding Common Ground | Robert Reich
Robert Reich
www.youtube.com

The number of immigrants in detention without criminal records has surged by over 2,000% since Trump reentered the White House.

Nearly half of all detainees have no criminal charges or conviction.

Trump was always lying about going after the “worst of the worst.”

How we beat back the corporate takeover of America:

1. Break up corporate monopolies

2. Continue building union power

3. End Citizens United and get big money out of politics

Let’s keep working to unrig the system.
No contract, no coffee.

We don’t believe in sitting on the sidelines. Join our Transition co-chair @linamkhan.bsky.social , First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan & @sbworkersunited.org at the picket lines.

Reposted by W. Andy Knight

A grassroots movement is calling on all Americans to abstain from shopping at Target, Amazon, and Home Depot during the holiday weekend over their support for Trump's authoritarian policies.

I encourage you to join — and shop small. https://weaintbuyingit.com/

Reposted by Robert B. Reich

BREAKING: RealPage is suing New York, challenging a new state law that bans landlords from using algorithms to set rents.

RealPage claims that its software, which landlords have used to collude on rents, is protected by the First Amendment.