Robert Reiner
@waylon18.bsky.social
Retired criminology professor. Democratic Socialist.Written on political economy of crime, criminal justice and policing 1970s until severe COVID 2021. Last book Social Democratic Criminology. Love old mysteries, Westerns, country music, music 1930-70
Pinned
Reposted by Robert Reiner
Reposted by Robert Reiner
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Casework and support of bereaved families – Big Give
We are seeking funding for our casework function, which provides holistic support and specialist advice to families bereaved as a …
donate.biggive.org
December 3, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Please circulate! Not everyone can donate of course, but sharing this message is a great support...
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www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Hopefully the beginning of the end for Trump. Fear succession won’t be better so Democrats must raise game.
Hopefully the beginning of the end for Trump. Fear succession won’t be better so Democrats must raise game.
Cracks have emerged in the Maga coalition | Moira Donegan
The Republican party is far from moving beyond Trump – but signals of his waning influence are everywhere
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:55 PM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Hopefully the beginning of the end for Trump. Fear succession won’t be better so Democrats must raise game.
Hopefully the beginning of the end for Trump. Fear succession won’t be better so Democrats must raise game.
Challenging argument for reasoned dissent. Moving from specific sources of discontent to rational analysis of their structural roots. Radical critique should be grounded in concrete conditions not abstractions
December 3, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Challenging argument for reasoned dissent. Moving from specific sources of discontent to rational analysis of their structural roots. Radical critique should be grounded in concrete conditions not abstractions
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The economy has been failing most people who struggle with insecurity and lower standards of living. So not at all ridiculous to count people above median incomes as poor
The economy has been failing most people who struggle with insecurity and lower standards of living. So not at all ridiculous to count people above median incomes as poor
Can you be on a six-figure income and still be considered poor? | Arwa Mahdawi
A viral essay has caused outrage in the US with its argument that the poverty line for a family of four is now $136,500. But is this so wrong, asks Arwa Mahdawi
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:02 PM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The economy has been failing most people who struggle with insecurity and lower standards of living. So not at all ridiculous to count people above median incomes as poor
The economy has been failing most people who struggle with insecurity and lower standards of living. So not at all ridiculous to count people above median incomes as poor
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Amusing account of films and politics recycling old tropes. But the novelty of ideas surely isn’t a key way to evaluate them. The problem is that current mainstream political and media discourse turns a blind eye to the root issue of economic oligarchy
Amusing account of films and politics recycling old tropes. But the novelty of ideas surely isn’t a key way to evaluate them. The problem is that current mainstream political and media discourse turns a blind eye to the root issue of economic oligarchy
Fear of facing the future has British politics stuck in the past | Rafael Behr
Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves claim to be dealing with the world as it is, but seem to yearn for a world that has disappeared, says the Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:54 PM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Amusing account of films and politics recycling old tropes. But the novelty of ideas surely isn’t a key way to evaluate them. The problem is that current mainstream political and media discourse turns a blind eye to the root issue of economic oligarchy
Amusing account of films and politics recycling old tropes. But the novelty of ideas surely isn’t a key way to evaluate them. The problem is that current mainstream political and media discourse turns a blind eye to the root issue of economic oligarchy
jewishcurrents.org/newsletter/p...
How US universities bow to Trump and pro Israel pressure to restrict rights of pro Palestinian students
How US universities bow to Trump and pro Israel pressure to restrict rights of pro Palestinian students
Portrait of a Campus in Crisis
Breaking news, analysis, art, and culture from a progressive Jewish perspective. Sign up for our newsletter!
jewishcurrents.org
December 3, 2025 at 1:30 PM
jewishcurrents.org/newsletter/p...
How US universities bow to Trump and pro Israel pressure to restrict rights of pro Palestinian students
How US universities bow to Trump and pro Israel pressure to restrict rights of pro Palestinian students
robertreich.substack.com/p/the-most-d...
Beware the MAGA police state
Beware the MAGA police state
The Most Dangerous Corporation in America
Please help spread the word
robertreich.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:23 PM
robertreich.substack.com/p/the-most-d...
Beware the MAGA police state
Beware the MAGA police state
www.unpopularfront.news/p/yeah-what-...
Argues the importance of moral responsibility and judgement drawing on Arendt. Abstractions about macro cultural or political economic forces can undermine responsibility for evil and corrupt acts
Argues the importance of moral responsibility and judgement drawing on Arendt. Abstractions about macro cultural or political economic forces can undermine responsibility for evil and corrupt acts
Yeah, what is 'Post-Liberalism' anyway?
Questions for Ross Douthat
www.unpopularfront.news
December 2, 2025 at 6:47 PM
www.unpopularfront.news/p/yeah-what-...
Argues the importance of moral responsibility and judgement drawing on Arendt. Abstractions about macro cultural or political economic forces can undermine responsibility for evil and corrupt acts
Argues the importance of moral responsibility and judgement drawing on Arendt. Abstractions about macro cultural or political economic forces can undermine responsibility for evil and corrupt acts
Reposted by Robert Reiner
I have a winning platform for 2026.
TAX THE BILLIONAIRES.
Imagine the voter turnout..
TAX THE BILLIONAIRES.
Imagine the voter turnout..
December 2, 2025 at 11:20 AM
I have a winning platform for 2026.
TAX THE BILLIONAIRES.
Imagine the voter turnout..
TAX THE BILLIONAIRES.
Imagine the voter turnout..
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Brilliant disturbing critique of the Budget reportage. Cui bono? Budget was for Bond Street not Benefit Street. The larger tax intake goes mainly towards appeasing the markets not welfare. Not tax and spend, tax and cringe. Labour remains trapped in Thatcher lite
Brilliant disturbing critique of the Budget reportage. Cui bono? Budget was for Bond Street not Benefit Street. The larger tax intake goes mainly towards appeasing the markets not welfare. Not tax and spend, tax and cringe. Labour remains trapped in Thatcher lite
The most misleading thing about Rachel Reeves’s budget? Who it was really for | Aditya Chakrabortty
Labour backbenchers have been cheering it as a win for the most vulnerable in society. In fact it was aimed at the bond markets, says Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:13 AM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Brilliant disturbing critique of the Budget reportage. Cui bono? Budget was for Bond Street not Benefit Street. The larger tax intake goes mainly towards appeasing the markets not welfare. Not tax and spend, tax and cringe. Labour remains trapped in Thatcher lite
Brilliant disturbing critique of the Budget reportage. Cui bono? Budget was for Bond Street not Benefit Street. The larger tax intake goes mainly towards appeasing the markets not welfare. Not tax and spend, tax and cringe. Labour remains trapped in Thatcher lite
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Left can’t afford narcissism of small differences. Socialism or barbarism, but how to get there remains as much of a conundrum as a century ago. Transitional demands that appeal to people’s immediate needs but are compatible with democratic socialism.
The Left can’t afford narcissism of small differences. Socialism or barbarism, but how to get there remains as much of a conundrum as a century ago. Transitional demands that appeal to people’s immediate needs but are compatible with democratic socialism.
Your Party's antics assume a luxury the left does not have: time | Owen Jones
Legal spats, public denunciations and an obsession with internal process must be consigned to the past, says Guardian columnist Owen Jones
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:28 PM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Left can’t afford narcissism of small differences. Socialism or barbarism, but how to get there remains as much of a conundrum as a century ago. Transitional demands that appeal to people’s immediate needs but are compatible with democratic socialism.
The Left can’t afford narcissism of small differences. Socialism or barbarism, but how to get there remains as much of a conundrum as a century ago. Transitional demands that appeal to people’s immediate needs but are compatible with democratic socialism.
Reposted by Robert Reiner
All of us: Why, in our judgement, Chris Mason is misleading on most political points, all the time.
Because he’s incapable of political commentary that isn’t marinated in his own rightwing bias. Allegations for Labour. Free passes for Tories/Reform. Every Single Time.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Because he’s incapable of political commentary that isn’t marinated in his own rightwing bias. Allegations for Labour. Free passes for Tories/Reform. Every Single Time.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Chris Mason: Why, in my judgement, Reeves was misleading on one specific point
The Chancellor chose not to share some information on tax receipts in an unusual press conference, given before the Budget.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 7:22 PM
All of us: Why, in our judgement, Chris Mason is misleading on most political points, all the time.
Because he’s incapable of political commentary that isn’t marinated in his own rightwing bias. Allegations for Labour. Free passes for Tories/Reform. Every Single Time.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Because he’s incapable of political commentary that isn’t marinated in his own rightwing bias. Allegations for Labour. Free passes for Tories/Reform. Every Single Time.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Robert Reiner
A reminder that London is far safer than many major cities, that crime is falling and that racists hate both these truths because they undermine their vicious little divisive narrative.
Multiculturalism works. London works. And those who hate both things hate themselves most of all.
Multiculturalism works. London works. And those who hate both things hate themselves most of all.
There were 93 homicides in London last year: population 9 million
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
December 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM
A reminder that London is far safer than many major cities, that crime is falling and that racists hate both these truths because they undermine their vicious little divisive narrative.
Multiculturalism works. London works. And those who hate both things hate themselves most of all.
Multiculturalism works. London works. And those who hate both things hate themselves most of all.
Characteristically perceptive Edgerton history of changing demographics of politicians and how they lack courage or understanding to challenge elite consensus. I think two points must be added. The pernicious role of media as puppets of the wealthy. And the massive growth of super rich oligarchy
December 1, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Characteristically perceptive Edgerton history of changing demographics of politicians and how they lack courage or understanding to challenge elite consensus. I think two points must be added. The pernicious role of media as puppets of the wealthy. And the massive growth of super rich oligarchy
Reposted by Robert Reiner
Think this is exactly right - political journalism that is completely abstracted from policy, which was not the norm before 2017, has become the default. Impossible to have a serious attempt to either shrink what the state does or widen the tax base (have to do at least one) on that basis.
All this budget news, claims, counter claims is confusing, but two things of consequence.
1. We're all talking about that, not any financial benefits (or losses) of the budget.
2. Yet more focus on the very weird few weeks and politics of it all. Starting to feel dangerously like a norm.
1. We're all talking about that, not any financial benefits (or losses) of the budget.
2. Yet more focus on the very weird few weeks and politics of it all. Starting to feel dangerously like a norm.
December 1, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Think this is exactly right - political journalism that is completely abstracted from policy, which was not the norm before 2017, has become the default. Impossible to have a serious attempt to either shrink what the state does or widen the tax base (have to do at least one) on that basis.
Reposted by Robert Reiner
Ex-Brexit Party MEP Lucy Harris on #BBC #PoliticsLive. She describes the Rachel Reeves budget as "ideological" & Labour as "anti-democratic" & "anti-people." Obviously she does not think of Brexit & hard right-wing economics which she supports as "ideological."
December 1, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Ex-Brexit Party MEP Lucy Harris on #BBC #PoliticsLive. She describes the Rachel Reeves budget as "ideological" & Labour as "anti-democratic" & "anti-people." Obviously she does not think of Brexit & hard right-wing economics which she supports as "ideological."
Reposted by Robert Reiner
You should pretend to be from GB News…
I'm at a Kemi Badenoch event where *yet again* the Guardian has not got a question. Aside from broadcasters it was Mail, Sun and FT (the latter presumably only because we're at an accountancy body in the City). I've probably been to seven or eight such events with no question.
December 1, 2025 at 11:44 AM
You should pretend to be from GB News…
Reposted by Robert Reiner
For all the focus on its supposed “left wing bias”, the BBC’s heavy coverage of Rachel Reeves Budget "lies" shows how its political coverage is still largely led by the right-wing press
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
Rachel Reeves and the Daily Mailification of the BBC
For all the focus on its supposed "left wing bias", the BBC's heavy coverage of Conservative allegations of dishonesty against Rachel Reeves shows how its political coverage is still largely led by th...
bylinetimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:20 AM
For all the focus on its supposed “left wing bias”, the BBC’s heavy coverage of Rachel Reeves Budget "lies" shows how its political coverage is still largely led by the right-wing press
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Secret court cases operating under ISDS agreements are suing our government and others for billions of pounds. The clandestine legal power of corporations and the wealthy are overwhelming any pretence remaining of democracy. Defend liberty equality community!
Secret court cases operating under ISDS agreements are suing our government and others for billions of pounds. The clandestine legal power of corporations and the wealthy are overwhelming any pretence remaining of democracy. Defend liberty equality community!
Hello, foreign oligarchs and corporations! Please come and sue the UK for billions | George Monbiot
The case of a planned Cumbrian coalmine shows how governments around the world are being threatened by litigation in shadowy offshore courts, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:20 PM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Secret court cases operating under ISDS agreements are suing our government and others for billions of pounds. The clandestine legal power of corporations and the wealthy are overwhelming any pretence remaining of democracy. Defend liberty equality community!
Secret court cases operating under ISDS agreements are suing our government and others for billions of pounds. The clandestine legal power of corporations and the wealthy are overwhelming any pretence remaining of democracy. Defend liberty equality community!
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Insightful analysis of how recent budgetary changes bear down on, ‘squeeze’, ‘middle’ income earners. Suggests to me that old images of three class society no longer helpful as ‘middle’ increasingly precarious. The 1 vs 99 per cent is the real class divide
Insightful analysis of how recent budgetary changes bear down on, ‘squeeze’, ‘middle’ income earners. Suggests to me that old images of three class society no longer helpful as ‘middle’ increasingly precarious. The 1 vs 99 per cent is the real class divide
The ‘squeezed middle’ is back – and this time it could be Labour’s undoing | John Harris
Last week’s budget left middle-income families anxious and angry. The party is turning its back on voters it can little afford to lose, says Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:24 PM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Insightful analysis of how recent budgetary changes bear down on, ‘squeeze’, ‘middle’ income earners. Suggests to me that old images of three class society no longer helpful as ‘middle’ increasingly precarious. The 1 vs 99 per cent is the real class divide
Insightful analysis of how recent budgetary changes bear down on, ‘squeeze’, ‘middle’ income earners. Suggests to me that old images of three class society no longer helpful as ‘middle’ increasingly precarious. The 1 vs 99 per cent is the real class divide
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Soul destroying account of the reality of Gaza ‘ceasefire’. Under the radar of news attention Israeli violence continues there but has also intensified in West Bank, Lebanon, Syria. US Imperialism extends under peace process cloak
Soul destroying account of the reality of Gaza ‘ceasefire’. Under the radar of news attention Israeli violence continues there but has also intensified in West Bank, Lebanon, Syria. US Imperialism extends under peace process cloak
It's not just Gaza. From the West Bank to Syria and Lebanon, Israel's onslaught continues | Nesrine Malik
Broken ceasefires, bombing, ground incursions and mounting deaths: Israeli imperialism is now expanding across the region, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:08 PM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Soul destroying account of the reality of Gaza ‘ceasefire’. Under the radar of news attention Israeli violence continues there but has also intensified in West Bank, Lebanon, Syria. US Imperialism extends under peace process cloak
Soul destroying account of the reality of Gaza ‘ceasefire’. Under the radar of news attention Israeli violence continues there but has also intensified in West Bank, Lebanon, Syria. US Imperialism extends under peace process cloak
www.theguardian.com/inequality/2...
Important account of growth of local areas where extremes of inequality coexist. Microcosms of the basic problem of the macro political economy, the inequity between gross wealth contrasted with deprivation and insecurity.
Important account of growth of local areas where extremes of inequality coexist. Microcosms of the basic problem of the macro political economy, the inequity between gross wealth contrasted with deprivation and insecurity.
‘Posh-poor divide’: the rise in areas of England where wealth and deprivation appear side by side
Data shows increase in neighbourhoods where few metres of asphalt, hedgerow, or wall can separate deep inequality
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM
www.theguardian.com/inequality/2...
Important account of growth of local areas where extremes of inequality coexist. Microcosms of the basic problem of the macro political economy, the inequity between gross wealth contrasted with deprivation and insecurity.
Important account of growth of local areas where extremes of inequality coexist. Microcosms of the basic problem of the macro political economy, the inequity between gross wealth contrasted with deprivation and insecurity.
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/on-mmt?pub...
Powerful arguments about Left strategy. Should focus on bread and butter issues pointing tacitly to socialist solutions, in style of Polanski and Mamdani. But I disagree with the interrogation of who is a socialist; an invitation to disastrous splits
Powerful arguments about Left strategy. Should focus on bread and butter issues pointing tacitly to socialist solutions, in style of Polanski and Mamdani. But I disagree with the interrogation of who is a socialist; an invitation to disastrous splits
On MMT
Does the left want paternalistic technocracy, or democratic socialism?
graceblakeley.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:43 PM
graceblakeley.substack.com/p/on-mmt?pub...
Powerful arguments about Left strategy. Should focus on bread and butter issues pointing tacitly to socialist solutions, in style of Polanski and Mamdani. But I disagree with the interrogation of who is a socialist; an invitation to disastrous splits
Powerful arguments about Left strategy. Should focus on bread and butter issues pointing tacitly to socialist solutions, in style of Polanski and Mamdani. But I disagree with the interrogation of who is a socialist; an invitation to disastrous splits
www.faircomment.co.uk/p/we-need-hm...
Important critique of HMRC in cahoots with large corporations and the wealthy whilst cracking down on middle and lower incomes. At the same time it celebrates the importance of HMRC. Tax debates should pay more importance to enforcement issues
Important critique of HMRC in cahoots with large corporations and the wealthy whilst cracking down on middle and lower incomes. At the same time it celebrates the importance of HMRC. Tax debates should pay more importance to enforcement issues
We need HMRC to work better for ordinary taxpayers
Both fairness and our public finances depend on it (a guest post by Mike Lewis at TaxWatch)
www.faircomment.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 1:29 PM
www.faircomment.co.uk/p/we-need-hm...
Important critique of HMRC in cahoots with large corporations and the wealthy whilst cracking down on middle and lower incomes. At the same time it celebrates the importance of HMRC. Tax debates should pay more importance to enforcement issues
Important critique of HMRC in cahoots with large corporations and the wealthy whilst cracking down on middle and lower incomes. At the same time it celebrates the importance of HMRC. Tax debates should pay more importance to enforcement issues