At the age of 74 I often ponder the motivations of our government. I fantasize about all the wondrous, life-enhancing things that might have been done with the TRILLIONS of dollars that have been allocated, instead, towards death and destruction in my life time, just since WWII. It its enough to make a grown man weep. The wasteful, blatant, utter foolishness of it all!
Its been noted that free college and much better healthcare could have been paid by all the money recently spent without discussion. Congress gave the military $50 bn more than they asked for.
I am also 74 and have a hard time with the despair caused by what is happening to us now. Yes, sometimes I weep. And we ain't seen nothing yet. I think we are watching the shit hitting the fan.
"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." It seems that no one has been paying attention and here you are.
Unfortunately, neither offers a sustainable solution to Capitalism. The system has to be addressed for removal and replacement by a more sustainable system.
Too bad these _great minds_ haven't got a solution or even the outline of a path to a solution for any of the ills that have befallen the US. Sycophancy in an echo chamber. What are *YOU* inspired to do?
@Miles O'Brien get armed and organized within your class and community, eventually with national organizations. Help eachother. Build alternative institutions like food banks, community gardens, free health centers, etc. Tactically withhold collective labor/sit ins
@@bigbillhaywood1415 It's kind of weird to imagine anyone in the US being curious about the Left's ideology. As soon as anyone says _Left_ the narrative quickly succumbs to the ravings about _Socialism_ and _Communism_ being evil. As though America is this Utopian paradise of equality under Capitalism, LOL.
@@bigbillhaywood1415 Those are all great ideas but only the collective action by labor to coalesce into a nationally focused group withholding not only their labor but also their votes will politics change. You don't need to be armed. In fact arming will be met with the hard end of State _Peace Enforcement_ But strikes and _working to rule_ are incredibly effective. It's a class war. Unfortunately Americans are completely wrapped up in multiple identity conflicts. I was picturing a bunch of people and drawing Venn diagrams of all their differing identities. There's hardly any large group with intersecting areas of commonality.
Who would accept 7 a hour unless you really like working being homeless and begging around a college can get you eighty a day on a bad day Far more preferable
I've learned to live without money, so I can turn down insulting wages. My minimum is $20 an hour. If everyone could do this, wages would go up for everyone. Just say no to slave wages. Sacrifice a little now for a better future.
Yes Americans are like serfs with illusions of freedom, and the powerful Central Banks are squeezing workers to force them to go back to work for low wages. "Reducing inflation" is caused by capitalists who set the prices and reap record profits
The fact that George Santos is still a participating member of our national government speaks VOLUMES about the specious efficacy of the whole enterprise! We are watching the equivalent of the WWF in our "halls of power" - not Olympians! The ever-growing number of buffoons and charlatans amassing on Capitol Hill is frightening. Performative theatrics has replaced serous discourse.. Reasoned deliberations (similar to what you would imagine in a corporate board room) have become the equivalent of "food fights", name -calling and finger-pointing that would cause Spanky and Alfalfa to wince in disbelief. And the entire world is watching with fascination and schadenfreude.
Since the term 'Redneck' is a slang term, there is no precise definition. When I think of a Redneck, I think of a person that is incapable of understanding a world outside of their own backyard. Outside of their own neighbourhood. Outside of their own upbringing; so they hate on it. And I think of someone that needs to be told how to think. Nationalists and white supremacists for example! I agree with you to a point. Schadenfruede is a Redneck construct! I mean, I personally get no satisfaction out of other people's misfortune and I definitely do not watch these morons with fascination I totally agree with you on the theatrics though. Such theatrics trigger the Dunning-Kruger effect in Rednecks! This is when you get Rednecks, voting in Rednecks such as Trump. I forget the word that Chris Hedges used to describe Trump. A politician that creates policies based on hate, is a ??? Anyway, these two definitely provide clarity in a world run by insanity
@@brendanpelly213 I believe treefrog was talking about schadenfreude as coming from enemies of the U.S. That's how I understood it. Maybe treefrog changed their comment or there is a hidden comment(why is that happening lately?) that is lending to my misunderstanding of your comment. 😂
@@arabcadabra8863 ok! Good point! He was kinda hard to follow. Now I need to reread it from that perspective. Thank you. The more perspectives, the merrier! Lol. Although, it would be helpful to have it clarified by him. Unless my interpretation is totally wrong, I think, he/she raised some good points. Thanks for making me re-evaluate it 🤘
Omg! I think I see what you mean... maybe 😏 Is Treefrog saying that the rest of the world is laughing at America? (I know that it is) but is that what you mean? Who's misfortune are they laughing at though? The American public's misfortune, for having such a fucked up Government? Or just the fucked up American Government itself? Because nearly every country has a fucked up Government. And it is the common folk that suffer at the hands of their hubris. Always! What do you mean? How do you see what Treefrog is saying? Dialogue please?
Isn't the actual description for a government run by the corporations fascism? I know people mostly think fascism is a single person dictatorship like Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, and others , but that is only one form of it. Fascism in itself doesn't need the one person figurehead as long as the rest of the conditions are true it also applies to a single or multi party government.
Thank you for mentioning that the current minimum wage in the USA is $7.25/Hour, I search on the USA’s Anglo Saxon’s 5 eye alliance countries for comparison and the results is a food for thought- at today’s exchange rate- Australia:$15.18, Canada:$11.66, New Zealand:$9.76; UK:$11.68; also the 4 USA allies also offer Free National Health Care to their residents.
Thank you Richard & Chris for Wisdom and sanity over the age of 45 , thank you for for giving us the perspective of an older generation that has witnessed the suffering caused by US foreign policy over decades.
Great presentation professor Wolf and Chris Hedges, despite the seemingly hopelessness of the working class to get a fair shake and effect real reformative change in U.S.
The two best intellectuals share their wisdom with our world. Professor Richard Wolfe and Chris Hedges. I saw this on the day this came on and left a comment. I am now watching this again. Thank you both again.
Chris is the GOAT! Always a welcome addition to the Economic Update. It's too bad "class consciousness" is dead in the US. Hard to envision a time when the workers of the US will unite to make things right. And if they do, what side will the cops and the military stand on?
How do people believe it, though? Every child knows that the captain is in charge of the ship, not the galley. Maybe we have been trained to think we are all little captains?
I echo the sentiments of people who understand how pointless and wasteful these regime change wars are and have cost not just the countries that endured these military interventions but the American people who had to finance them
If I cannot work like a slave and put ANY kind of roof over my head, then why should I work at all?? I would sooner live in the woods under a tarp than be your slave.
Did you hear about how Home Depot in my country, Canada has given our information to Meta without our authorization? If we decided to get our receipts digitally, they'll share that information to Meta.
NEVER, get any receipts digitally or fill out any of the surveys at the end of the receipts...And yes, if you look at the fine print you have given them permission. What is lacking in the modern world is critical thinking. Act responsible always remember, corporations do not have your best interest at heart, only their own profit..
@@germanjohn5626 Oh I agree! But most people don't think that way, it's all about "convenience", I don't think most people would ask to see the TOS when a cashier asks if they want it digitally or not, I doubt the cashiers even knows about any of this, probably still don't know.
The term "shareholders" congers up images of sharing with average investors. But who are the major shareholders? The top executives. They give to themselves. Period.
Thank you Dr. Wolff and Chris. Just read “The Iron Heel” for the first time, so the mentioning of the importance of strikes resonates. Here is to organized labor 🙏🙏🙏
Hedges and Wolff are about the only people on the Left in modern day who are worth listening to. I don't agree with some of what they argue, but their perspective is still valuable. It's no wonder they don't hold prominent positions among modern left discourse, they're too educated and critical for the dogma that has consumed the Left.
It seems to me that fundamentally the problem is that corporate "limited liability" fights individual "full responsibility". Hard to find literature or studies that explore the impact of "many lawyers" on "one life". Have you ever covered the topic someplace?
Hasn't it become more & more apparent that from the beginning, general American policy has not been particularly concerned with providing a minimum of what the citizens need & want? So many gains have come at such a struggle.
You have an inherent right to unionize and strike. These are the rights of assembly and free speech. Forget about waiting for the government to grant you this privilege.
In 1964 you could purchase a troy ounce of gold with 35 hours work at minimum wage. In 2023 you can purchase a troy ounce of gold with 255 hours of work at minimum wage. Thus we are told that we can conclude that wage growth is driving inflation and so must be held down.
The greed at any cost corporate forces are given multiple vicarious broadsides, by an avalanche of unstoppable and weighty truth. I love the idea of SW Airlines being “Nationalized” - after corruptly pocketed huge tax funded bailouts to rebuild and sustain resiliently their infrastructure - only to waste it all on exorbitant salary increases and leveraging stock price manipulations. It’s a mockery of business as at all beneficial to community and the common good. They “refuse” to predict “bad weather” nor staff as necessary to function, and ought to be massively rewarded for thwarting the public’s transportation needs and means?
If this is not the beginning of the end for this Empire, I don't know what it is. All we'll have left would be Latin America and some wise European countries to start a new system . Thank you Richard and Chris for your well researched work. Greetings from Toronto.
I have been to Alberta and Quebec, Quebec a number of times. What struck me about the airport in Calgary right away was the lack of desperate homeless people. Contrast that with any major American city. The next thing that struck me on my drive to Canmore was the smart design of the neighborhoods, cul-de-sacs as opposed to grids. The third thing that struck me was how clean everything was. I dont know man, my impressions as non canadian, lead me to the conclusion you guys have it better up there. Not one tent city, hobo, or broken down road was to be found. I did go on the res, ( got lost) but the people seemed friendly and my wife and I played it off like we knew where we were and I did notice that the atmosphere on the res was sort of bleak and defeated. I know along the Montana border there are massive problems but it cant be worse then Camden NJ!
@@genreartwithjb5095 I found the same thing with several american cities well. Northern California I found similar. Same with upstate New York. But go right into Calgary proper, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg and you will find homeless, tent cities, broken down buildings with squatters, and so on. Same problem that you find in other American cities (not to the same degree, per se, but that is because our cities are smaller than yours). We have very high taxes, broken education and healthcare systems, social services that have been hamstrung, and corporate control of almost every aspect of our lives. Very similar to what is going on in the US. Just our media is very poor (or complicit) in reporting on the decay.
Thank you, Richard Wolff, you gave me some laughs today, Love the criticism of Pete B.--I like him, hope somebody makes sure he gets this. Best he not rest too much on his remarkable charisma. Love the suggestion for what SHOULD/COULD have happened with Southwest Airlines. So refreshing!! Especially loved the comment about the fruits of our advertising--now pouring out of every cell of our social soma--yep, ye shall reap what ye shall sow, . WHatever it is about the way you speak,--is is sarcasm, irony, understatement and your "I am trying to be nice here--parody?-- it greturns to me my sanity and further, enlivens me me with some comedy relief from my getting-more-and-more fixed sourness about humanity, especially the capitalist part of it Bravo!
The minimum wage should keep pace with inflation. I want to say about $30 an hour should work, although my liberal friends laugh at me when I drop that number and my conservative friends calmly explain that this is impossible.
@@Nosirrbro I hear you, and you might be right, but I feel like we give them the power. I feel like ultimately the power lies in the masses. They rule by our decree. But we actually don't want to. We're okay with minimum wage going lower and lower because we are modern Americans and we basically suck. I could go into how we suck, but I'm sure you already have noticed.
Will we be the change we want to see? Excellent and outstanding information by two men that we highly respect....now what? All wars are banker wars....God Help Us!
Ain't it funny? If you put a liar against another liar you get abstract mayhem, debate and agressive argument. But if you put a truthsayer with another truthsayer, they both say the same things and agree with each other. Truth is the ultimate consistency! That's one way of seeing the truth! Every person that tells the truth agrees with every other person that tells the truth. It's only liars that argue with each other about the lies that need to be put forward. And I totally agree with your opinion, these 2 ppl are my favourite spokes-people for making clarity out of an insane world. Totally agree! They both make clarity out of the insanity that runs our world
@@nutcase1065 Why thank you kind Sir... Madam lol. I appreciate it In August of 2002, (11 months after 9/11), I heard on the radio that America and Europe, at a summit meeting (or whatever it was...NATO basically), that they gave Iraq 30 days to bring forward their "weapons of mass destruction" or NATO would consider it a act of war. It was an ULTIMATUM!!! You have 30 days to bring forth your weapons of mass destruction, or we will consider it an act of war... There's an old Latin phrase, that that sums up an area of Greek philosophy and is also a modern field of psychology. It is called... 'Reductio ad absurdum' (also known as reductio ad argumentum). It's also an old Lawyers trick. What it literally means is... 'To reduce an argument to its absurdity'. But to clarify it in simpler terms, it means... 'To prove an argument to be true by proving the falsity of the contradictory' [Collins Old English dictionary]. As to how it is an old lawyers trick; it ties in with the fact that you cannot prove a negative. You cannot prove that you DON'T have something. You cannot prove that you DON'T have something!!! It is impossible to prove that you DON'T have something!!! I know that you stole my cigarette lighter Nut Case! You have 30 seconds to give it back to me or else I will bash you. You say you don't have my lighter...PROVE IT!!! Prove that you DON'T have something! No matter what you say, I'll call you a liar! It's common street thuggery! Give me back my lighter that you stole or I will bash you. Bring forward your weapons of mass destruction or we will take it as an act of war. Same thing!!!! Back to the 'ultimatum'... In August of 2002, (11 months after 9/11), when I heard that ultimatum on the radio, the first thing I thought was... 'reductio ad absurdum'... you cannot prove a negative. In August of 2002, I knew for a FACT that there were no 'weapons of mass destruction' in Iraq... or else NATO would not have given Iraq this street thuggery ultimatum. Simple as that! To this date; I have never heard anything... anything... on any news network, anywhere around the world mention anything about what I have just said There's another thing about 9/11 that no one has seemed to question and it's primary school level basic thinking... For eleven months after the 9/11 plane attacks, the entire world was bombarded with non-stop media campaigns about how "Osama Bin-laden", from Afghanistan bombed the world trade centre. Osama Bin-laden from Afghanistan. .. Osama Bin-laden from Afghanistan... Osama Bin-laden from Afghanistan... over and over and over and over etc. I had to tune out to it because I was sick of hearing it!!! Osama Bin-laden of Afghanistan attacked the world trade centre... let's attack Sudam Husein of Iraq!!!!!!! And the entire world said fuck yes! Osama Bin-laden of Afghanistan attacked America's money... let's kill Suddam Husein in Iraq!!! I live in a world of f#@kìng morons!!! So yes! There is a method of seeing through lies and it's easy because we were all taught it at High School... -Find a minimum of 4 credible sources for every point of contention you have to make and then make it 10!!! -Learn the scientific method of experimentation that was taught to you in grade 10 science class -Apply the scientific method that was taught to you in grade 10... especially the process of elimination -Then look for MOTIVE!!! What do these ppl have to gain by saying what they are saying? EXAMPLE: 9 out of 10 Doctors' say that in order to avoid the disease of osteoporosis, you need to consume more calcium. 1 out of 10 Doctors' say that, in order to avoid the disease of osteoporosis, you need to consume less animal protein because animal protein is high in acids such as phosphorus and sulfur and in order for acid to pass through your body. The acid/base ratio needs to be neutral and the organ of the body that neutralises acid is the kidneys, before it reaches the liver and ALL kidney stones are calcium stones (and this is a fact). 99% of all calcium stored in the human body is suppose to be stored in the skeleton and 1% stored in the brain for neural function but this is not the case in the modern world. So let's look at MOTIVE... The 9 out of 10 doctors are sponsored by the American Dairy Board The 1 out of 10 doctors have their peer reviewed works published in medical journals world wide and and are seeking attention for the Nobel prize for their work on scientific breakthroughs. So who do you believe? -lastly... keep the concept of 'reductio ad absurdum' in mind by simply looking at an argument and asking the opposite question... "if 1 + 1 = 2, then 2 - 1 = 1 and if it doesn't... then your intuition tells you that something ain't right I wish to thank you yet again Sir/Madam or both of you for your reply and I wish you happy scrolling 😆😅🤣 Peace out brah ✌ Fuck that's a long message but am glad to get it off my chest to the world 😉
Common Sense would dictate that if the people made more money, they would have a spendable income which will increase the demand side of Industry. Perhaps the real elephant in the room is Supply
I think the basic problem is the fact that we no longer have industrial capitalism, we have financial capitalism, will a large chunk of production having been sent overseas.
@@RussCR5187 Sheldon Wolin called it "Inverted Totalitarianism ". I believe it's impossible for capitalism and democracy to exist in the same plane. Although capitalism works perfect in a fascist state.
@@joeows6537 I was responding to the Supply aspect of your original comment. We no longer use profits (or Fed money) to buy capital for production. We use it to invest in already-existing assets because at this stage of capitalism the returns are better that way. I'm beginning to think that humans are incapable of sustaining a healthy society when it grows beyond the "small community".
@@RussCR5187 absolutely... Think Global, Act Local! A strong Community is the foundation to build upon. People must learn to be more self-sufficient, grow more food not lawn. Many in my community barter. The fisherman trades part of his catch for firewood, the lumbermen trade part of their wood for chainsaws and oil. There is always plenty to go around but never enough to satiate greed. One way or another man will remember once again how to be a human being. #Occupy
As a solo business owner, photography headshots, its so hard to watch these truths and still work at my business. Many of my potential customers are corporate people, capitalist folks who are fully indoctrinated, ahhh...i want to help start a commercial cleaning or landscaping coop
Firstly, I'm concerned about the fact that I'm not able to access the "comment" section of TRN on my Amazon pad! (There's a "bracket" next to my initial). However, I can here in my phone). Being somewhat complacent and discouraged with the content of YT commentators, I'm glad to say that my interest has been re-invigorated by Hedges, his guests and the reportage. A glimmer of hope in the bleak and crowded online landscape. RS
Wonder if Chris has read William Stringfellow on "Principalities and Powers." There seems to be an inevitability that the whirl of Empire creates darkness, and gobbles up any sincere politicians. From an Eastern point of view, Empire governments perceived as egoic strategies of survival (unawakened) charging collective evil. However, at the root, God is the ground of Being, the vast spaciousness in which we live. Such a paradox!! I continue to protest and vote, yet my hope for political genuine change is very, very slim.
...and for the last 45 years... worker productivity increased but hours worked per worker fell. Workers receive a value in what the dollar buys in a specific amount of goods. This amount is exchange for the greater amount of goods labor produces for capital. Labor is exchanged for labor. Two representatives of given quantities of labor matter (material) in the form of goods have struck a deal. Dam hard to figure out what Capital is? Is Capital a higher form of social organization of labor in the social history of labor? Consider a working class that is not an equal to itself in production. The working class is totally divorced from the responsibility of all aspects of productive activity as the real life-process of human beings. Capital becomes the giver of life, the starting point of all the life-giving activities a society requires to live because the working class is not an equal in production not equal to itself in the form of Capital in the actual labor-process.
24:58 Inequality is great at creating two things...a fervor in those who have, and an animosity in those who have-not...and the greater the wealth gap, the more pronounced those emotions become until an endpoint is reached of either totalitarianism or revolution...(Or perhaps even one subsequent to the other)
Minimum wage accounts for less than 2% of jobs in the United States. Focussing on something like that is not going to change anything. It will not help anyone to learn how to really prosper, which is what people like Wolff should be focusing on.
Do realize it sets the standard for wages and as such skilled labor above minimum wage gets an increase as well. Increase is based on the inelasticity of supply of labor, but it should raise most boats in the lower quartile
@@WanderingExistence Yes, that is one aspect of minimum wage. It also tells employers what they have to pay for unskilled labor, like kids just entering the workforce. If you put too high of a price on unskilled labor you will price a lot of people right out of the job market. Fewer young people will have an opportunity to learn new skills so they can develop the skills they need to move on to a living wage. Minimum wage is not supposed to be something you live on and raise a family with. It is meant for new, unskilled workers with no experience who can enter the workforce and develop more skills. The left invariably discounts this aspect of minimum wage.
@@bluewater454 "minimum wage is not something you're supposed to live on".... Then why do some employers act like it is? When more and more people are being squeezed into the lower quartile raising the minimum wage becomes more and more important. I don't know if you've ever looked in the drive-thru window at a fast food joint, but it's not just kids in there... Those are people with families. Meanwhile CEOs are taking tens of millions of dollars in salaries, bonuses, and stock options. The fact that our economy doesn't respect the working class, is a prime set up for social unrest. That unrest lends itself for fascists to redirect the blame and take power for themselves, just like what happened 90 years ago today. But maybe you like the working class hurting to the point that they look for any hope they can even the most evil of ideologies.
I remember 30 or 40 years ago, the phrase was "American Prosperity" was used. We were proud that we raised up the people. Well - where did that word "Prosperity" go? Well we don't believe that people at the bottom deserve to be prosperous. So busy hating those at the bottom.
It takes multitudes of poor to create and maintain a billionaire. This myth that “anyone/everyone could be rich” is asinine. Unregulated capitalism (i.e., unbridled greed) eats itself. Always, every time.
Too many people still trust the word of our public health officials. Too many people still think elected "leaders" represent the interests of the people. Too many people still believe that "someone" will step forward and save us from predatory hospitals, banks, employers, monopoly pricing, and on and on. It's high time we realized that nobody is coming to save us from the greedy excesses of the 1%. It's high time we realized that we're ALREADY living in a much different world now, a world where old assumptions, habits, and expectations no longer apply. A harsher world. A world that has removed all sources of power and control from our hands save one -- the power of superior numbers. They are organized, we are not. They control the mass media while we struggle to evade censorship on the internet. They manufacture distractions and we fall for them every time. We then dutifully engage in divisive tribal bickering. Every time. No meaningful changes will happen with the billionaire oligarchs still in power. It's high time we realize the only thing that's going to save us now is ourselves. The only thing truly worth discussing at this point is organizing for massive sustained demonstrations of nonviolent civil disobedience … exercising our power of superior numbers. The overriding thing worth demanding at this point is return of power to the people and the dethroning of every greedy sociopathic oligarch who currently holds us and our children by the throat. Power is never relinquished voluntarily. It's high time we get to it. Job #1 awaits.
The DSA exists to channel worker hostility back into the Democratic Party. But *even the existing labor unions" do the same. We need a working movement wholly unconnected to the
War is a nightmare and part of the nightmare is seeing Chris Hedges, somebody I really respect and admire, become an apologist for Putin and the Russians. Russia led by Putin is the aggressor in this conflict. The fact that this places enormous pressure on the Ukrainians to cave into Western governments and corporate interests is another aspect of the ongoing nightmare of war. But don't blame the victim for doing whatever it needs to do to survive.
It's misleading to emphasise the Federal minimum wage because it varies from state to state. eg in some states it's $15/hr which is more than the UK national rate. Moreover, if people refuse to work for said rates then employers have no option but to pay more. Although this only applies in a high unemployment environment. Unfortunately this can be created by government (mass immigration) and monopoly corporations (moving operations elsewhere eg Mexico).
Couple of old timers from the 70's, They do have there hearts in the right place but there solutions are old, tired, and proven incapable of correcting the current problems!!!!
![Global Capitalism: The U.S. Election and Trump 2.0 in Historical Perspective [November 2024]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0-WR6Zq7Qec/mqdefault.jpg)
![Global Capitalism: The U.S. Election and Trump 2.0 in Historical Perspective [November 2024]](/img/tr.png)
Any show with Hedges gets a watch and thumbs up by me.
Yup, you want a reality check about the world we live in, listen to Chris or read one of his books. But, its not for the faint of heart.
He's one of my go-to news sources. His work is inspiring. 🕊️
At the age of 74 I often ponder the motivations of our government. I fantasize about all the wondrous, life-enhancing things that might have been done with the TRILLIONS of dollars that have been allocated, instead, towards death and destruction in my life time, just since WWII. It its enough to make a grown man weep. The wasteful, blatant, utter foolishness of it all!
Its been noted that free college and much better healthcare could have been paid by all the money recently spent without discussion. Congress gave the military $50 bn more than they asked for.
I am also 74 and have a hard time with the despair caused by what is happening to us now. Yes, sometimes I weep.
And we ain't seen nothing yet.
I think we are watching the shit hitting the fan.
"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master.
Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action."
It seems that no one has been paying attention and here you are.
❤️
The desert is growing.....
Said Nietzsche
WOLFFMAN AND HEDGES BACK AT IT KEEPING IT REAL 💯
Clap for the Wolff man..
@@joeows6537 old one. Dig it
@@bkbland1626 he's not heavy, he's my brother
Unfortunately, neither offers a sustainable solution to Capitalism. The system has to be addressed for removal and replacement by a more sustainable system.
👏🏼👏🏼💯
Chris Hedges and Richard Wolff are two of the greatest minds on the left. Always insightful and bleakly realistic.
Too bad these _great minds_ haven't got a solution or even the outline of a path to a solution for any of the ills that have befallen the US. Sycophancy in an echo chamber. What are *YOU* inspired to do?
They're average. Great for ppl who are just becoming curious about left ideology.
@Miles O'Brien get armed and organized within your class and community, eventually with national organizations. Help eachother. Build alternative institutions like food banks, community gardens, free health centers, etc. Tactically withhold collective labor/sit ins
@@bigbillhaywood1415 It's kind of weird to imagine anyone in the US being curious about the Left's ideology. As soon as anyone says _Left_ the narrative quickly succumbs to the ravings about _Socialism_ and _Communism_ being evil. As though America is this Utopian paradise of equality under Capitalism, LOL.
@@bigbillhaywood1415 Those are all great ideas but only the collective action by labor to coalesce into a nationally focused group withholding not only their labor but also their votes will politics change. You don't need to be armed. In fact arming will be met with the hard end of State _Peace Enforcement_ But strikes and _working to rule_ are incredibly effective. It's a class war. Unfortunately Americans are completely wrapped up in multiple identity conflicts.
I was picturing a bunch of people and drawing Venn diagrams of all their differing identities. There's hardly any large group with intersecting areas of commonality.
Crazy I'm in Ontario Canada and the minimum wage is $15 and I think even that is too little. $7!!?? That's evil man
Who would accept 7 a hour unless you really like working being homeless and begging around a college can get you eighty a day on a bad day
Far more preferable
In 1990 I was paid $6.00 an hour in the USA,
now in Toronto with single-payer Healthcare, that the USA still does not have in 2023!
I've learned to live without money, so I can turn down insulting wages. My minimum is $20 an hour. If everyone could do this, wages would go up for everyone. Just say no to slave wages. Sacrifice a little now for a better future.
Whats $15 C in US dollars?
Yes Americans are like serfs with illusions of freedom, and the powerful Central Banks are squeezing workers to force them to go back to work for low wages. "Reducing inflation" is caused by capitalists who set the prices and reap record profits
Listen closely: Chris recommends:
"strike, strike, strike - the effective weapon. It's all we have left"
The motto for the twenty-first century.
AMEN! This is the big take away - hope no one missed the important *call to action!*
We've tried that and tech had massive layoffs. We're screwed dude
Don't forget boycotts, Chris! Remember the table grape boycott led by Cesar Chavez and helped along by RFK.
I would agree with that.
Chris Hedges with Dr. Wolff, very cool!
Thank you for another great program Prof Wolff! My whole family watches your content - I make sure of it, and we appreciate what you do very much!
Our pleasure!
@Democracy At Work
I appreciate you also!!! I have listened to you and Chris Hedges for years.
I am from Sri Lanka.
Dr wolff and Mr Hedges are 2 international treasures.
do you currently live in sri lanka
The fact that George Santos is still a participating member of our national government speaks VOLUMES about the specious efficacy of the whole enterprise! We are watching the equivalent of the WWF in our "halls of power" - not Olympians! The ever-growing number of buffoons and charlatans amassing on Capitol Hill is frightening. Performative theatrics has replaced serous discourse.. Reasoned deliberations (similar to what you would imagine in a corporate board room) have become the equivalent of "food fights", name -calling and finger-pointing that would cause Spanky and Alfalfa to wince in disbelief. And the entire world is watching with fascination and schadenfreude.
Elections have a way of revealing voter mentality. We are a nation of sick puppies.
Since the term 'Redneck' is a slang term, there is no precise definition. When I think of a Redneck, I think of a person that is incapable of understanding a world outside of their own backyard. Outside of their own neighbourhood. Outside of their own upbringing; so they hate on it. And I think of someone that needs to be told how to think. Nationalists and white supremacists for example!
I agree with you to a point. Schadenfruede is a Redneck construct! I mean, I personally get no satisfaction out of other people's misfortune and I definitely do not watch these morons with fascination
I totally agree with you on the theatrics though. Such theatrics trigger the Dunning-Kruger effect in Rednecks! This is when you get Rednecks, voting in Rednecks such as Trump. I forget the word that Chris Hedges used to describe Trump. A politician that creates policies based on hate, is a ???
Anyway, these two definitely provide clarity in a world run by insanity
@@brendanpelly213 I believe treefrog was talking about schadenfreude as coming from enemies of the U.S. That's how I understood it. Maybe treefrog changed their comment or there is a hidden comment(why is that happening lately?) that is lending to my misunderstanding of your comment. 😂
@@arabcadabra8863 ok! Good point! He was kinda hard to follow. Now I need to reread it from that perspective. Thank you. The more perspectives, the merrier! Lol. Although, it would be helpful to have it clarified by him. Unless my interpretation is totally wrong, I think, he/she raised some good points. Thanks for making me re-evaluate it 🤘
Omg! I think I see what you mean... maybe 😏
Is Treefrog saying that the rest of the world is laughing at America? (I know that it is) but is that what you mean? Who's misfortune are they laughing at though? The American public's misfortune, for having such a fucked up Government? Or just the fucked up American Government itself? Because nearly every country has a fucked up Government. And it is the common folk that suffer at the hands of their hubris. Always!
What do you mean? How do you see what Treefrog is saying? Dialogue please?
Hell yeah! Hedges & Wolff! True modern day prophets!
23:25 I don't think the Military Industrial Complex considers US foreign policy to be a debacle. For them it's a stunning success.
Agreed
Are you saying that non-state actors are controlling "democratic" nations? What is that system called?
@@arabcadabra8863 corporatism
Isn't the actual description for a government run by the corporations fascism? I know people mostly think fascism is a single person dictatorship like Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, and others , but that is only one form of it. Fascism in itself doesn't need the one person figurehead as long as the rest of the conditions are true it also applies to a single or multi party government.
Didn't economist Sheldon Wolin call it "inverted totalitarianism"?
@@RussCR5187 its not truly "inverted" though, but rather adjacent
We're quickly moving to feudalism.
Thank you for mentioning that the current minimum wage in the USA is $7.25/Hour, I search on the USA’s Anglo Saxon’s 5 eye alliance countries for comparison and the results is a food for thought- at today’s exchange rate- Australia:$15.18, Canada:$11.66, New Zealand:$9.76; UK:$11.68; also the 4 USA allies also offer Free National Health Care to their residents.
NZ has just increased the minimum wage from NZ$21.20 to NZ$22.70, which is over US$14, almost double what it is in the US!
Canada is $15. currently
And that’s how Murica got great!
Slave labour spelled LOUD.
Thank you Richard & Chris for Wisdom and sanity over the age of 45 , thank you for for giving us the perspective of an older generation that has witnessed the suffering caused by US foreign policy over decades.
More Chris hedges please!
Wish good times with struggle to Professor Richard Wolff and Chris Hedge
I always love hearing Chris Hedges' take any time
Great presentation professor Wolf and Chris Hedges, despite the seemingly hopelessness of the working class to get a fair shake and effect real reformative change in U.S.
Thank you both. Stay safe !
The two best intellectuals share their wisdom with our world. Professor Richard Wolfe and Chris Hedges.
I saw this on the day this came on and left a comment. I am now watching this again.
Thank you both again.
What the Honorable Professor and Mr. Hedges are saying is - "wake up folks!!!!".
Chris is the GOAT! Always a welcome addition to the Economic Update. It's too bad "class consciousness" is dead in the US. Hard to envision a time when the workers of the US will unite to make things right. And if they do, what side will the cops and the military stand on?
Chris Hedges is the correct caliber of guest needed for this program to remain relevant.
My experience is that the rulers increase demands and accuse workers of laziness if they can't meet them.
If American workers were lazy Marcus wouldn't be as rich.
If Bernie Marcus calls The American worker 'lazy' why doesn't Bernie move the Home Depot to France ?
Two of the greatest thinkers of our time. The fact that they don’t have 1000 times the number of views attests to the dire state of affairs in the US.
Amazing how these people blame the LEAST POWERFUL people for our woes instead of the MOST POWERFUL.
How do people believe it, though? Every child knows that the captain is in charge of the ship, not the galley. Maybe we have been trained to think we are all little captains?
Boycott home depot
Calling Bernie Marcus a gentlemen is a generous stretch.
I echo the sentiments of people who understand how pointless and wasteful these regime change wars are and have cost not just the countries that endured these military interventions but the American people who had to finance them
If I cannot work like a slave and put ANY kind of roof over my head, then why should I work at all?? I would sooner live in the woods under a tarp than be your slave.
Did you hear about how Home Depot in my country, Canada has given our information to Meta without our authorization? If we decided to get our receipts digitally, they'll share that information to Meta.
NEVER, get any receipts digitally or fill out any of the surveys at the end of the receipts...And yes, if you look at the fine print you have given them permission. What is lacking in the modern world is critical thinking. Act responsible always remember, corporations do not have your best interest at heart, only their own profit..
@@germanjohn5626 Oh I agree! But most people don't think that way, it's all about "convenience", I don't think most people would ask to see the TOS when a cashier asks if they want it digitally or not, I doubt the cashiers even knows about any of this, probably still don't know.
Richard, my only criticism of your report is trying to differentiate between the two parties. We only have the republicrats.
I love when these 2 guys get together to discuss the issues🟪
Life in an Oligarchy. The United States of War. Thanks for calling them out.
100% correct. We live in a total oligarchy. The difference between fascism in the U.S. and other countries is that they admit such.
Chris should be honest and call it as it is. A fascism.
Thanks!
great podcast 2 legends ❤❤
The term "shareholders" congers up images of sharing with average investors. But who are the major shareholders? The top executives. They give to themselves. Period.
The 'One percent'!
Thank you Dr. Wolff and Chris. Just read “The Iron Heel” for the first time, so the mentioning of the importance of strikes resonates. Here is to organized labor 🙏🙏🙏
Even though I am subscribed, UA-cam stopped showing this channel’s content to me.
This is one of the best episodes ever
Hedges and Wolff are about the only people on the Left in modern day who are worth listening to. I don't agree with some of what they argue, but their perspective is still valuable. It's no wonder they don't hold prominent positions among modern left discourse, they're too educated and critical for the dogma that has consumed the Left.
Thank you!
These guys need to be in a presidential cabinet
I was wondering why the workers at Homedepot look so miserable...
It seems to me that fundamentally the problem is that corporate "limited liability" fights individual "full responsibility". Hard to find literature or studies that explore the impact of "many lawyers" on "one life". Have you ever covered the topic someplace?
Hasn't it become more & more apparent that from the beginning, general American policy has not been particularly concerned with providing a minimum of what the citizens need & want? So many gains have come at such a struggle.
You have an inherent right to unionize and strike. These are the rights of assembly and free speech. Forget about waiting for the government to grant you this privilege.
In 1964 you could purchase a troy ounce of gold with 35 hours work at minimum wage. In 2023 you can purchase a troy ounce of gold with 255 hours of work at minimum wage. Thus we are told that we can conclude that wage growth is driving inflation and so must be held down.
The greed at any cost corporate forces are given multiple vicarious broadsides, by an avalanche of unstoppable and weighty truth.
I love the idea of SW Airlines being “Nationalized” - after corruptly pocketed huge tax funded bailouts to rebuild and sustain resiliently their infrastructure - only to waste it all on exorbitant salary increases and leveraging stock price manipulations. It’s a mockery of business as at all beneficial to community and the common good.
They “refuse” to predict “bad weather” nor staff as necessary to function, and ought to be massively rewarded for thwarting the public’s transportation needs and means?
If this is not the beginning of the end for this Empire, I don't know what it is.
All we'll have left would be Latin America and some wise European countries to start a new system .
Thank you Richard and Chris for your well researched work.
Greetings from Toronto.
love u both.. as always Richard thank you. chris hedges , thx for truth and tenacity
This is equally true in Canada. In all provinces really.
I have been to Alberta and Quebec, Quebec a number of times. What struck me about the airport in Calgary right away was the lack of desperate homeless people. Contrast that with any major American city. The next thing that struck me on my drive to Canmore was the smart design of the neighborhoods, cul-de-sacs as opposed to grids. The third thing that struck me was how clean everything was. I dont know man, my impressions as non canadian, lead me to the conclusion you guys have it better up there. Not one tent city, hobo, or broken down road was to be found. I did go on the res, ( got lost) but the people seemed friendly and my wife and I played it off like we knew where we were and I did notice that the atmosphere on the res was sort of bleak and defeated. I know along the Montana border there are massive problems but it cant be worse then Camden NJ!
@@genreartwithjb5095 I found the same thing with several american cities well. Northern California I found similar. Same with upstate New York. But go right into Calgary proper, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg and you will find homeless, tent cities, broken down buildings with squatters, and so on. Same problem that you find in other American cities (not to the same degree, per se, but that is because our cities are smaller than yours). We have very high taxes, broken education and healthcare systems, social services that have been hamstrung, and corporate control of almost every aspect of our lives. Very similar to what is going on in the US. Just our media is very poor (or complicit) in reporting on the decay.
Thank you, Richard Wolff, you gave me some laughs today, Love the criticism of Pete B.--I like him, hope somebody makes sure he gets this. Best he not rest too much on his remarkable charisma. Love the suggestion for what SHOULD/COULD have happened with Southwest Airlines. So refreshing!! Especially loved the comment about the fruits of our advertising--now pouring out of every cell of our social soma--yep, ye shall reap what ye shall sow, . WHatever it is about the way you speak,--is is sarcasm, irony, understatement and your "I am trying to be nice here--parody?-- it greturns to me my sanity and further, enlivens me me with some comedy relief from my getting-more-and-more fixed sourness about humanity, especially the capitalist part of it Bravo!
Keep these two talking for the love that is all good.
Brilliant!!! Thank you for your time.
The minimum wage should keep pace with inflation. I want to say about $30 an hour should work, although my liberal friends laugh at me when I drop that number and my conservative friends calmly explain that this is impossible.
It’s impossible because the bourgeoisie have too strong of a stranglehold on power
@@Nosirrbro I hear you, and you might be right, but I feel like we give them the power. I feel like ultimately the power lies in the masses. They rule by our decree. But we actually don't want to. We're okay with minimum wage going lower and lower because we are modern Americans and we basically suck. I could go into how we suck, but I'm sure you already have noticed.
Hedges is the man. Won't see this on CNN or MSNBC, that's for sure.
Thank you both!
Will we be the change we want to see? Excellent and outstanding information by two men that we highly respect....now what? All wars are banker wars....God Help Us!
Great episode of an excellent channel. You both are my favorite analysts. Thanks for keeping me sane, it's pretty rough out here and getting rougher.
Ain't it funny? If you put a liar against another liar you get abstract mayhem, debate and agressive argument. But if you put a truthsayer with another truthsayer, they both say the same things and agree with each other. Truth is the ultimate consistency! That's one way of seeing the truth! Every person that tells the truth agrees with every other person that tells the truth. It's only liars that argue with each other about the lies that need to be put forward.
And I totally agree with your opinion, these 2 ppl are my favourite spokes-people for making clarity out of an insane world. Totally agree! They both make clarity out of the insanity that runs our world
@@brendanpelly213 I think your theory of truth is right on. I'll keep that in mind. UA-cam has so many lies, it helps to have a method.
@@nutcase1065 Why thank you kind Sir... Madam lol. I appreciate it
In August of 2002, (11 months after 9/11), I heard on the radio that America and Europe, at a summit meeting (or whatever it was...NATO basically), that they gave Iraq 30 days to bring forward their "weapons of mass destruction" or NATO would consider it a act of war. It was an ULTIMATUM!!! You have 30 days to bring forth your weapons of mass destruction, or we will consider it an act of war...
There's an old Latin phrase, that that sums up an area of Greek philosophy and is also a modern field of psychology. It is called... 'Reductio ad absurdum' (also known as reductio ad argumentum). It's also an old Lawyers trick. What it literally means is... 'To reduce an argument to its absurdity'. But to clarify it in simpler terms, it means... 'To prove an argument to be true by proving the falsity of the contradictory' [Collins Old English dictionary].
As to how it is an old lawyers trick; it ties in with the fact that you cannot prove a negative. You cannot prove that you DON'T have something. You cannot prove that you DON'T have something!!! It is impossible to prove that you DON'T have something!!! I know that you stole my cigarette lighter Nut Case! You have 30 seconds to give it back to me or else I will bash you. You say you don't have my lighter...PROVE IT!!! Prove that you DON'T have something! No matter what you say, I'll call you a liar!
It's common street thuggery!
Give me back my lighter that you stole or I will bash you. Bring forward your weapons of mass destruction or we will take it as an act of war. Same thing!!!!
Back to the 'ultimatum'...
In August of 2002, (11 months after 9/11), when I heard that ultimatum on the radio, the first thing I thought was... 'reductio ad absurdum'... you cannot prove a negative. In August of 2002, I knew for a FACT that there were no 'weapons of mass destruction' in Iraq... or else NATO would not have given Iraq this street thuggery ultimatum. Simple as that! To this date; I have never heard anything... anything... on any news network, anywhere around the world mention anything about what I have just said
There's another thing about 9/11 that no one has seemed to question and it's primary school level basic thinking...
For eleven months after the 9/11 plane attacks, the entire world was bombarded with non-stop media campaigns about how "Osama Bin-laden", from Afghanistan bombed the world trade centre. Osama Bin-laden from Afghanistan. .. Osama Bin-laden from Afghanistan... Osama Bin-laden from Afghanistan... over and over and over and over etc. I had to tune out to it because I was sick of hearing it!!! Osama Bin-laden of Afghanistan attacked the world trade centre... let's attack Sudam Husein of Iraq!!!!!!! And the entire world said fuck yes! Osama Bin-laden of Afghanistan attacked America's money... let's kill Suddam Husein in Iraq!!!
I live in a world of f#@kìng morons!!!
So yes! There is a method of seeing through lies and it's easy because we were all taught it at High School...
-Find a minimum of 4 credible sources for every point of contention you have to make and then make it 10!!!
-Learn the scientific method of experimentation that was taught to you in grade 10 science class
-Apply the scientific method that was taught to you in grade 10... especially the process of elimination
-Then look for MOTIVE!!! What do these ppl have to gain by saying what they are saying? EXAMPLE: 9 out of 10 Doctors' say that in order to avoid the disease of osteoporosis, you need to consume more calcium. 1 out of 10 Doctors' say that, in order to avoid the disease of osteoporosis, you need to consume less animal protein because animal protein is high in acids such as phosphorus and sulfur and in order for acid to pass through your body. The acid/base ratio needs to be neutral and the organ of the body that neutralises acid is the kidneys, before it reaches the liver and ALL kidney stones are calcium stones (and this is a fact). 99% of all calcium stored in the human body is suppose to be stored in the skeleton and 1% stored in the brain for neural function but this is not the case in the modern world. So let's look at MOTIVE...
The 9 out of 10 doctors are sponsored by the American Dairy Board
The 1 out of 10 doctors have their peer reviewed works published in medical journals world wide and and are seeking attention for the Nobel prize for their work on scientific breakthroughs. So who do you believe?
-lastly... keep the concept of 'reductio ad absurdum' in mind by simply looking at an argument and asking the opposite question... "if 1 + 1 = 2, then 2 - 1 = 1 and if it doesn't... then your intuition tells you that something ain't right
I wish to thank you yet again Sir/Madam or both of you for your reply and I wish you happy scrolling 😆😅🤣
Peace out brah ✌
Fuck that's a long message but am glad to get it off my chest to the world 😉
Good discussion
Common Sense would dictate that if the people made more money, they would have a spendable income which will increase the demand side of Industry. Perhaps the real elephant in the room is Supply
I think the basic problem is the fact that we no longer have industrial capitalism, we have financial capitalism, will a large chunk of production having been sent overseas.
@@RussCR5187 Sheldon Wolin called it "Inverted Totalitarianism ". I believe it's impossible for capitalism and democracy to exist in the same plane. Although capitalism works perfect in a fascist state.
@@joeows6537 I was responding to the Supply aspect of your original comment. We no longer use profits (or Fed money) to buy capital for production. We use it to invest in already-existing assets because at this stage of capitalism the returns are better that way. I'm beginning to think that humans are incapable of sustaining a healthy society when it grows beyond the "small community".
@@RussCR5187 absolutely... Think Global, Act Local! A strong Community is the foundation to build upon. People must learn to be more self-sufficient, grow more food not lawn. Many in my community barter. The fisherman trades part of his catch for firewood, the lumbermen trade part of their wood for chainsaws and oil. There is always plenty to go around but never enough to satiate greed. One way or another man will remember once again how to be a human being. #Occupy
Man it is going to be sad to see so many more people lose their homes soon. Then, the corporations will swoop in and buy them up.
black has been doing that since 2020 i think they are now going to ukraine from what i heard
♻️ Good show ❤️ 🤯
As a solo business owner, photography headshots, its so hard to watch these truths and still work at my business. Many of my potential customers are corporate people, capitalist folks who are fully indoctrinated, ahhh...i want to help start a commercial cleaning or landscaping coop
Firstly, I'm concerned about the fact that I'm not able to access the "comment" section of TRN on my Amazon pad! (There's a "bracket" next to my initial). However, I can here in my phone).
Being somewhat complacent and discouraged with the content of YT commentators, I'm glad to say that my interest has been re-invigorated by Hedges, his guests and the reportage. A glimmer of hope in the bleak and crowded online landscape. RS
Superlative as usual Dr Wolff.
My two favorite people
No ads before this one. These old guys must be such a threat to capitalism.
Wonder if Chris has read William Stringfellow on "Principalities and Powers." There seems to be an inevitability that the whirl of Empire creates darkness, and gobbles up any sincere politicians. From an Eastern point of view, Empire governments perceived as egoic strategies of survival (unawakened) charging collective evil. However, at the root, God is the ground of Being, the vast spaciousness in which we live. Such a paradox!! I continue to protest and vote, yet my hope for political genuine change is very, very slim.
Spittin fire as usual
This man speaks truth here
ah yes my fav old-school KPFA crossover combo!
...and for the last 45 years... worker productivity increased but hours worked per worker fell.
Workers receive a value in what the dollar buys in a specific amount of goods. This amount is exchange for the greater amount of goods labor produces for capital.
Labor is exchanged for labor. Two representatives of given quantities of labor matter (material) in the form of goods have struck a deal. Dam hard to figure out what Capital is? Is Capital a higher form of social organization of labor in the social history of labor?
Consider a working class that is not an equal to itself in production. The working class is totally divorced from the responsibility of all aspects of productive activity as the real life-process of human beings. Capital becomes the giver of life, the starting point of all the life-giving activities a society requires to live because the working class is not an equal in production not equal to itself in the form of Capital in the actual labor-process.
24:58 Inequality is great at creating two things...a fervor in those who have, and an animosity in those who have-not...and the greater the wealth gap, the more pronounced those emotions become until an endpoint is reached of either totalitarianism or revolution...(Or perhaps even one subsequent to the other)
Fantastic again.
Do you cover the mechanics of organizing strikes in any of your videos, and how strikes are or are not as effective in different circumstances?
Actually, that would be a good idea.
Minimum wage accounts for less than 2% of jobs in the United States. Focussing on something like that is not going to change anything. It will not help anyone to learn how to really prosper, which is what people like Wolff should be focusing on.
Do realize it sets the standard for wages and as such skilled labor above minimum wage gets an increase as well. Increase is based on the inelasticity of supply of labor, but it should raise most boats in the lower quartile
So you suggest crypto?
@@WanderingExistence Yes, that is one aspect of minimum wage. It also tells employers what they have to pay for unskilled labor, like kids just entering the workforce. If you put too high of a price on unskilled labor you will price a lot of people right out of the job market. Fewer young people will have an opportunity to learn new skills so they can develop the skills they need to move on to a living wage.
Minimum wage is not supposed to be something you live on and raise a family with. It is meant for new, unskilled workers with no experience who can enter the workforce and develop more skills. The left invariably discounts this aspect of minimum wage.
@@rogersmith7396 No idea what crypto has to do with this discussion. What is the connection in your mind?
@@bluewater454 "minimum wage is not something you're supposed to live on".... Then why do some employers act like it is? When more and more people are being squeezed into the lower quartile raising the minimum wage becomes more and more important.
I don't know if you've ever looked in the drive-thru window at a fast food joint, but it's not just kids in there... Those are people with families. Meanwhile CEOs are taking tens of millions of dollars in salaries, bonuses, and stock options. The fact that our economy doesn't respect the working class, is a prime set up for social unrest. That unrest lends itself for fascists to redirect the blame and take power for themselves, just like what happened 90 years ago today. But maybe you like the working class hurting to the point that they look for any hope they can even the most evil of ideologies.
this edition of Update reminded me of Gramsci endorsement of "the pessimism of the intellect,coupled with the optimism of the will."
I remember 30 or 40 years ago, the phrase was "American Prosperity" was used. We were proud that we raised up the people. Well - where did that word "Prosperity" go? Well we don't believe that people at the bottom deserve to be prosperous. So busy hating those at the bottom.
7:20 the old “No one wants to work anymore!” Complaint
It takes multitudes of poor to create and maintain a billionaire. This myth that “anyone/everyone could be rich” is asinine. Unregulated capitalism (i.e., unbridled greed) eats itself. Always, every time.
"Ashamed" of himself?? I couldn't give a rat's about how Buttigieg feels; he should be banned from holding public office.
I love all your episodes and guests, I would love to see Nancy Fraser on as well!!
Too many people still trust the word of our public health officials. Too many people still think elected "leaders" represent the interests of the people. Too many people still believe that "someone" will step forward and save us from predatory hospitals, banks, employers, monopoly pricing, and on and on.
It's high time we realized that nobody is coming to save us from the greedy excesses of the 1%. It's high time we realized that we're ALREADY living in a much different world now, a world where old assumptions, habits, and expectations no longer apply. A harsher world. A world that has removed all sources of power and control from our hands save one -- the power of superior numbers.
They are organized, we are not. They control the mass media while we struggle to evade censorship on the internet. They manufacture distractions and we fall for them every time. We then dutifully engage in divisive tribal bickering. Every time.
No meaningful changes will happen with the billionaire oligarchs still in power. It's high time we realize the only thing that's going to save us now is ourselves. The only thing truly worth discussing at this point is organizing for massive sustained demonstrations of nonviolent civil disobedience … exercising our power of superior numbers. The overriding thing worth demanding at this point is return of power to the people and the dethroning of every greedy sociopathic oligarch who currently holds us and our children by the throat. Power is never relinquished voluntarily. It's high time we get to it. Job #1 awaits.
Strike strike strike !!!
Taxes don't pay for spending, spending creates the taxes the is redeemed by the Gov.
The DSA exists to channel worker hostility back into the Democratic Party. But *even the existing labor unions" do the same. We need a working movement wholly unconnected to the
Recommend interviewing Einar Tangan, Cyrus Janssen, Daniel Dumbrill excellent insight into 🇨🇳
Wolf - Hedges, a combo for good.
Thank you d@w!!
War is a nightmare and part of the nightmare is seeing Chris Hedges, somebody I really respect and admire, become an apologist for Putin and the Russians. Russia led by Putin is the aggressor in this conflict. The fact that this places enormous pressure on the Ukrainians to cave into Western governments and corporate interests is another aspect of the ongoing nightmare of war. But don't blame the victim for doing whatever it needs to do to survive.
It's misleading to emphasise the Federal minimum wage because it varies from state to state. eg in some states it's $15/hr which is more than the UK national rate.
Moreover, if people refuse to work for said rates then employers have no option but to pay more. Although this only applies in a high unemployment environment. Unfortunately this can be created by government (mass immigration) and monopoly corporations (moving operations elsewhere eg Mexico).
Minor correction:
Singular: Attorney General
Plural: Attorneys General.
1,000% guys👍!!! Rock On!!!
Regards, Viet vet VFP
Don't forget boycotts, Chris! Remember the table grape boycott led by Cesar Chavez and helped along by RFK.
Couple of old timers from the 70's, They do have there hearts in the right place but there solutions are old, tired, and proven incapable of correcting the current problems!!!!