Reicht: The Establishment is Dying

[Skwmom]

The rise of figures like Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump isn't the cause; it's the symptom.

It’s a rebellion against the establishment.

The question is why the establishment has been so slow to see this. A year ago – which now seems like an eternity – it proclaimed Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush shoe-ins.

Both had all the advantages – deep bases of funders, well-established networks of political insiders, experienced political advisors, all the name recognition you could want.

But even now that Bush is out and Hillary is still leading but vulnerable, the establishment still doesn’t see what’s occurred. They explain everything by pointing to weaknesses: Bush, they now say, “never connected” and Hillary “has a trust problem.”

A respected political insider recently told me most Americans are largely content. “The economy is in good shape,” he said. “Most Americans are better off than they’ve been in years. The problem has been the major candidates themselves.”

I beg to differ.

Economic indicators may be up but they don’t reflect the economic insecurity most Americans still feel, nor the seeming arbitrariness and unfairness they experience.

Nor do the major indicators show the linkages Americans see between wealth and power, crony capitalism, declining real wages, soaring CEO pay, and a billionaire class that’s turning our democracy into an oligarchy.

More at the link.

https://www.salon.com/2016/02/24/robert_reich_2016_is_the_beginning_of_the_end_of_the_establishment_partner/

[Arugula Latte]

1. Another key factor that Reich did not mention is: We can now "talk amongst ourselves."

The media can't just dictate to us now. We're passing notes in class.

Social media has changed the game completely, and "the establishment" can't control the message anymore.

[hifiguy]

2. But the zombie still has control of the media

and near-infinite funding. It is still trying to impose neo-con/neoliberal neofascism on the country and the world. It is time to finish off this zombie once and for all. Go Bernie!

[greymattermom]

4. But what can they buy? Just commercials

We all have netflix now.

[Arazi]

3. As always, Reich is right on. More from this must read article

The establishment is having conniptions. They call Trump whacky and Sanders irresponsible. They charge that Trump’s isolationism and Bernie’s ambitious government programs will stymie economic growth.

The establishment doesn’t get that most Americans couldn’t care less about economic growth because for years they’ve got few of its benefits, while suffering most of its burdens in the forms of lost jobs and lower wages.

Most people are more concerned about economic security and a fair chance to make it.

The establishment doesn’t see what’s happening because it has cut itself off from the lives of most Americans. It also doesn’t wish to understand, because that would mean acknowledging its role in bringing all this on.

[Jefferson23]

5. Largely content? Who identifies with that opinion..he believe most fits that bill? wow

K&R for Robert.

[appalachiablue]

6. K& R. Reich is spot on as ever. Many Americans are content. I'd add, they're ignorant

of the current realities, what's at stake now, and what's ahead. Credit goes to RW corporate owned M$M for that, it's all on purpose.

[Betty Karlson]

7. It's swan song is ugly as sin. eom