Robert Reich

The corporate takeover of American politics was rapid and ruthless.

In the 1970s, I watched as thousands of corporate lobbyists descended on Washington. Fast forward to today, and lobbying has become a $3.7 billion dollar industry.

It all began with the Powell Memo.

Dec 21, 2022 at 11:37pmWeb
Show threadsyfyDec 21, 2022
@rbreich By the time most idealists have grown into their gray split-ends, they've amassed just enough money that they want to hang on to all of it. We are are greedy species, that can't see very well beyond our paltry lifespan.
Show threadNutriamixDec 21, 2022
@rbreich
And our elected representatives gladly took their money and championed their goals instead of upholding their oath to serve We the People.
Show threadmilkmanDec 22, 2022
@rbreich
An important perspective from a wise man. You think big govt is the problem? Think again. Big corporations too much money are the enemies today.
Show threadMacDec 21, 2022
@rbreich Excellent video! Lessons for all advanced economies, not just the US.
Show threadMoria VDec 21, 2022
@rbreich And I always liked William Powell. Love the Thin Man but damn him! #asta
Show threadGrae HallDec 22, 2022

@rbreich I am still geeking out that OMG ROBERT REICH IS HERE ON MASTODON.

But also, this sort of material is such an important lawful good response to the chaotic evil of Prager U's hot garbage disingenuous propaganda.

We need more content like this, we need to support content like this. So boost it baby, this is important!

Show threadKitt LiederDec 22, 2022

@rbreich The 70's. Nixon. Of course. Which led to the negative infection point of 1981 when *everything* started going to shit and we in the U.S. are *still* fighting to turn around.

There is a straight line from Nixon to Trump.

Show threadKitt LiederDec 23, 2022
@rbreich *inflection but "infection" works, too.
Show threadKfish_lionDec 22, 2022
@rbreich and it’s never going back. Money>
Show threadJoeDec 22, 2022
@rbreich very educational!
Show threadJustin GreyhoundDec 22, 2022
@rbreich I grew up in the DC metro area. My friends with the biggest houses all had a lobbyist parent.
Show threadKevin BurkeDec 22, 2022
@rbreich
Show threadCathyDec 22, 2022
@rbreich Amen.
Show threadKunikosDec 22, 2022
@rbreich The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, and our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of…. It is they who pull the wires that control the public mind.
Edward Bernays 1928
Show threadSilentwolfDec 22, 2022

@rbreich

We can thank Reagan for tickle-down economy....(sacrastic)

Show thread2labzDec 22, 2022
@rbreich I hate having to say this, but $3.7 billion sounds low.
Show threadElizabethDec 22, 2022
@rbreich πŸ™πŸ½πŸ’―
Show threadπ‘Ίπ’‰π’‚π’˜π’ 𝑯 π‘ͺπ’π’“π’†π’š πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦Dec 22, 2022
@rbreich What do you mean "takeover"? America has always been for the rich. Don't you study history?
Show threadFrankDec 22, 2022
@rbreich it blows my mind that we are the only country in the global north that has legalized bribery. And let’s be clear, that’s what this is.
Show threadEarthOneDec 22, 2022
@rbreich Reminds me of FDR hitting the greedy Wall St. moguls who caused the 1929 stock market crash with massive taxes to stop them from becoming so powerful they could topple our govt. Reagan and the Bushes fixed it for them. Took us "back" to corporate controlling power and no taxes for the rich.
Show threadSilentwolfDec 27, 2022

@rbreich

Greed is the main reason. They doesn't care about their employees or how hard they worked.