Video & Multimedia
Related: About this forumHow Reaganomics Killed the American Middle Class, Thom Hartmann, Prof. Richard Wolff
In another special economics edition, Thom discusses what Ronald Reagan's economic policies have done to America's middle class in the last 35 years with economics Professor Richard Wolff, author of the book "Democracy at Work: A Cure for Capitalism". Nov. 11, 2015, (56 mins.).
Topics include: the era of Keynesian economics and prosperity, 1935-1981; the Great Depression and FDR's New Deal; the growth of the union movement in America; widespread affordable college education and home ownership for WWII Veterans with the govt. GI Bill and newly created FHA, Federal Housing Authority to guarantee home buying.
Thom and Prof. Wolff outline the conservative right's support for the rise of the Reagan revolution by the 1970s and what resulted; they assess where we are today and propose ideas for a stronger, fairer economy for American workers. A very informative talk so grab a beverage & popcorn to hear what two of the brightest progressive minds have to say.
daleanime
(17,796 posts)appalachiablue
(41,132 posts)there had been instructors like that at school. Both are terrific educators and communicators.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)The spirit of Reagan is contained.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)appalachiablue
(41,132 posts)long enough to see places like Washington National Airport restored to the original name that already memorialized a US president.
blackspade
(10,056 posts)appalachiablue
(41,132 posts)LittleGirl
(8,287 posts)I never voted for Reagan and I blame him and congress for many troubles I faced during and after his reign.
LittleGirl
(8,287 posts)and I have to say, it was Brilliant. I agree with the professor that programs and discussions like this is what will save America from capitalism. Thanks for sharing!
I also love that he gave a shout out to Bernie's message. He never mentioned another candidate and that just makes me smile!
appalachiablue
(41,132 posts)resources like the numerous policy and advocacy think tanks and media outlets (Fox and others) that have been implemented for decades to advance the right's policies. The Lewis POWELL MANIFESTO of 1971 which Thom talks of was THE major kickoff alarm to conservatives to set up lobbying groups in WDC to influence legislation, take over the media, follow and impact academia, etc. that's all come to pass. Mentioning Bernie was relevant to the conversation and nice to hear.
Academia is also where right is pouring in money in the last 25 years. The Kochs fund more than 300 US colleges and universities all over the country, especially business schools and economics depts. In some schools they determine the selection of staff and professors who teach young people their ideology. It's a very dangerous development and some students groups are trying to call attention to the Kochs' influence now.
LittleGirl
(8,287 posts)I had no idea that the Koch's funded 300 colleges and universities. damn it.
Paka
(2,760 posts)Bookmarked and sent on to friends and family.
appalachiablue
(41,132 posts)spread the info.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)Thanks for posting.
appalachiablue
(41,132 posts)in American workers standard of living since Reagan. And it's clear that a new model needs to be forged to repair the damage of Reagan and Friedman and to foster a more sustainable economy and society. Our survival and democracy's continuance depend on it.
John Maynard KEYNES was the most progressive economist of his time. His ideas influenced FDR, Brit. Labor PM Clement Attlee (1945-1951) and western democracies that adopted govt. intervention policies, demand side economics and the social safety net, welfare state.
An entire generation of US economists like John Kenneth Galbraith, Joseph Stiglitz and Paul Krugman were impacted by Keynes economics and social democratic government polices.
Again, the breakdown of Keynesian economics and the welfare state by conservatives since the mid-1970s requires a different system that's more resistant to the powerful right as Wolff states. It's a challenging order but people have the creativity, strength and determination to make it happen.
~The Great Depression of the 1930s: A Visual Legacy, The result of 3 pro-business Republican presidents before FDR~
navarth
(5,927 posts)But it's not Saint Reagan's fault. It's the fools who voted for him. Reagan was a ventriloquist's dummy for the MIC and the billionaires.
appalachiablue
(41,132 posts)'a bleeding heart liberal', Reagan aka 'Dutch' was a successful puppet for the conservative right and still holds a lot of responsibility. The fools who voted for him were taken in by the con, which was part of the GOP 'winning' strategy. Lesson learned, don't be fooled again or perish for all.
navarth
(5,927 posts)Really worthwhile. Jimmy was such a great guy. Miss him.
He talked about Saint Reagan in a way that brought him down to size. Recommended.
appalachiablue
(41,132 posts)leadership of SAG and his lack of presidential qualifications, Arnold S. and so forth. Garner was always great, a real good guy and versatile actor.
mother earth
(6,002 posts)appalachiablue
(41,132 posts)very clearly. And is it ugly. Past time to end free market, trickle down voodoo economics for the sake of the people and earth it's killing. I'm talking to you too, Maggie.
Three consecutive GOP presidents, Harding, Coolidge and Hoover ran the same anti-regulation, anti-govt., pro business, trickle down, loose credit and easy money policies throughout the 1920s and look what happened. The international Financial Crash of 1929 and the worldwide Great Depression that brought untold misery and tripped Germany toward 1930s full on Fascism and WWII. Haven't we learned, yet?
mother earth
(6,002 posts)design, just like the rigged markets & "forgetting" about two GW stolen elections, and leaving our votes at high risk. Thankfully, we have a few lone voices sounding the alarms and urging a political and social movement to end this charade. We have to talk about it openly and confront it, in order to end it. It's going to take all of us.
appalachiablue
(41,132 posts)Reaganomics and Thatchernomics and the start of a new sustainable system, NOW before it's too late.