MastoDan Jan 1, 2023
Robert Reich

If this year taught us anything, it's that:

1) Workers keep America going, not billionaires.
2) Corporate profits don't trickle down to workers.
3) Poverty is a policy choice.
4) Health care is a human right.
5) Strikes work.

I hope we act on these lessons in the new year.

Dec 31, 2022 at 11:00pmWeb
Show threadDamnKimberleeDec 31, 2022
@rbreich lead the way!
Show threadThat One WeirdoDec 31, 2022
@rbreich from your toot to... the Universe's feed ? I guess?
Show threadJamesLundbladDec 31, 2022
@rbreich I think someone promised Medicare at 60.
Show threadAndyHDec 31, 2022

@rbreich

With the MAGALOON House?

Show threadElledeeayDec 31, 2022
@rbreich Yes to everything you wrote.
Show threadRuby S.Dec 31, 2022

@rbreich

Yes and endless COVID is definitely a policy choice.

Show threadsu_liamSep 12, 2025
@ruby @rbreich I wish that policy choice was more specific to just the GOP, but they figured out how to be worse, somehow, while adding measles, polio and tuberculosis to the mix. Congratulations to RFK on having a son who somehow made Chump more dangerousโ€ฆ
Show threadJayne ๐Ÿ“šโ˜˜๏ธ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿป๐ŸŽถ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐ŸŒปDec 31, 2022
@rbreich Amen
Show threadERATDec 31, 2022
@rbreich
Don't hold your breath. ๐Ÿ™„ We don't seem very good at learning this stuff.
Show threadirjudsonDec 31, 2022

@rbreich we skip right over education. Which has turned into food, shelter, and a roof over their head for too many communities.

We have to do better

Show threadOnein6menJan 1, 2023
@rbreich add to this list that monetary policy is no way to effectively fine tune the economy. The results are continuous cycles of boon to bust.
Show threadSunyshore (ใƒŠใ‚ฎใ‚ตใ‚ทใƒ†ใ‚ฃ) ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€โšง๏ธJan 1, 2023

@rbreich 6) The key to housing affordability and fighting poverty is MORE HOUSING

https://twitter.com/daguilarcanabal/status/1291235780493377536

diego (parody) ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ on Twitter

โ€œSo @RBReich's answer on @wkamaubell's show is even more cringey and disingenuous than his original letter. Mostly, he's lying. The developer isn't "pretending" to reserve 1/10 apartments for Very Low Income households. It's in their permit application. It's law.โ€

Twitter
Show threadCatherine is not complacentJan 1, 2023
@sunysh0re @rbreich thatโ€™s part of it. The other part is grass roots work in areas where corporations and Airbnb own the majority of rental housing. Cities and towns need to say no and change their zoning laws.
Show threadQuiquaequodJan 1, 2023

@rbreich

Another thing we learned: thereโ€™s nothing consumers can do to fight shrinkflation. ALL the advice takes the form of โ€œwatch unit priceโ€ and โ€œswitch to another productโ€ ignoring the facts that to get the same amounts consumers still have to pay more, and shrinkflation occurs across industries once one company takes the step. Action MUST occur at a governmental level.

Show threadQuiquaequodJan 1, 2023

@rbreich

I say BAN IT COMPLETELY and make companies get preapproval for all price increases from appropriate agencies with mandated sizing/functionality, eg:

Yogurt: 8 oz.
Toilet paper: 4 in x 4 in
Paper towels: breakage test

The degredation of everything and everything in the name of profit margins has gone too far.

Show threadsu_liamSep 12, 2025
@quiquaequod @rbreich We also need to break the increasingly powerful growth of oligopolies inexorably advancing towards monopoly.
Show threadDavidJan 1, 2023
@rbreich Strikes may work, unless you are a railroad worker
Show threadKarl Morant ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ  ๐Ÿ––Jan 1, 2023

@davidpaige @rbreich

All workers have the choice to withhold labour.

Show threadDavidJan 1, 2023
@karlmorant @rbreich Congress, of course, has the ability to take away that choice, and has done so for railroad workers, forcing them work under contract terms being rejected by the union members. So, letโ€™s dispense with the idea that all workers have that choice. Such superlatives like all are often incorrect or misinformation.
Show threadKarl Morant ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ  ๐Ÿ––Jan 1, 2023

@davidpaige @rbreich

Nobody in the US is forced to work.

Show threadDavidJan 1, 2023
@karlmorant @rbreich see, you are using those superlatives which are frequently wrong or even misinformation. (I recommend you refrain from using them.) Some people say prisoners are required to work against their will. Workers under the recent law from Congress must work, they have lost their choice not to work, unless they resign. There is some truth to your statement, but also disinformation.
Show threadsu_liamSep 12, 2025
@karlmorant @davidpaige @rbreich Unless they do it en masse, itโ€™s irrelevant. Thatโ€™s why union busting was so important to the fascist program. Everybody walking out is power. One guy walking out is a joke.
Show threadsu_liamSep 12, 2025
@davidpaige @rbreich Unless violations of Taft-Hartley are widespread. This country country needs wildcat strikes, it needs solidarity strikes. This country needs civil disobedience on a mass scale.
Fuck Taft-Hartley. Fuck Congress.
Show threadSilentwolfJan 1, 2023

@rbreich

Exactly! Big businesses can't go on without workers. They deserve better pay than the management.

Show threadJamesJan 1, 2023
@rbreich well stated
Show threadTips for OvercomersJan 1, 2023
@rbreich
Hereโ€™s a simple science experiment:
Take out all the senior execs for a few days, and see what happens.
Then take out all the workers for a few days, and see what happens.
Show threadBabyJ_MackJan 1, 2023
@rbreich Next agenda: fix the broken DOL. #WorkersRights #WorkersMatter #FECA #WCOMP #Crooks #republicans
Show threadIguazuJan 1, 2023
@rbreich agreed
Show threadcostrikeJan 1, 2023
@rbreich It's about time for us to say we've had enough.
Show threadAugusteJan 1, 2023
@rbreich Or perhaps an alternate interpretation. 1. Work and Capital keeps us going. Without both, there is nothing. 2. Profits always have and always will trickle, but perhaps not the way one would like. 3. The organisation of our society arises from infinitely variable choices, exacerbated by the small matter of freedom. 4. Nothing is a right. Sacrifice is a given.
Show threadNumber SevenJan 1, 2023
@rbreich At the risk of being given the, Julian Assange treatment for thinking a, 'Spoon' is a ๐Ÿฅ„' Why are the polluted paying for the pollution of the polluters'?
Show threadOSCraneJan 1, 2023
@rbreich Sure, strikes work so long as unions continue to maintain a good bargaining posture, and that industry can effectively make the nationwide economy buckle. Even then, we can only expect the barest of minimums.
Show threadtoybox [fr]Jan 1, 2023
@rbreich Haven't we known for quite a few years already?
Show threadNidal,๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ช(MB)Jan 1, 2023
@rbreich Nice to hear this kind of speech from Uncle Sam's landโœŒ๏ธ
Show threadTom_HuthJan 1, 2023
@rbreich Christmas is just over, and yes this still is true.
Will they ever stop to convince us that trickle down economics work?
Show threadTom_HuthJan 1, 2023
@rbreich What is needed? A more green, environmentally friendly thinking, that does not continue only on profit thinking and thus prosperity of a few. We need to concentrate on a livelihood and the survival of all people. Continuing like we do in past, will not work. We need a more fairness and equity to survive as humans.
Many may need to understand what a social society is. Responsibility and not: โ€žThe winner takes it allโ€œ
Show threadThatAuntieJan 1, 2023
@rbreich Here, here. ๐Ÿฅ‚
Show threadKeith_RJan 1, 2023

@rbreich

Change "America" to "the world" in the first line, and you might be onto something, Robert...

Show threadabsurd.spaceJan 1, 2023
@rbreich ...Us in India too.
Show threadJexit 2020 Jan 1, 2023
@rbreich Unfortunately, I doubt we'll learn anything.
Show threadSteph MillerJan 1, 2023
@rbreich We've been talking about trickle down economics since Reagan. When did it ever work for the average folk? It took 40 YEARS of hell and a Republican party enriching itself.
Show threadDavid ParrishJan 2, 2023
@rbreich Amen to that!
Show threadLinda Sue ArrowwoodJan 2, 2023
@rbreich truth
Show threadJJM_DigimediaJan 2, 2023
@rbreich
Robert, allow me to correct :
3) poverty is the policy that creates the wealth of the rich.
#taxthebillionaires
#UBI #BasicIncomeNOW
Show threadAwesomerrificus.ethJan 4, 2023
@rbreich 4. Healthcare, housing, education, basic income are human rights.
Show threadleorkJan 12, 2023
@rbreich in related news,
water is wet (figuratively),
fire is hot (relatively),
And the two party system will never be able to hold itself accountable.
Show threadMorgensternJan 19, 2023
@rbreich this year? Where have you been the last two decades?
Show threadMary O. GrizzleJan 19, 2023
@rbreich amen
Show threadKevin RussellAug 30, 2023

@rbreich

Work on them like a Brandon.

If we all work as hard and smart as POTUS, we can get stuff done.

1 If a company tries to stop your unionization, your union is automatically recognized! thanks @POTUS!

2 Tax the decades-long-untaxed they cant loophole or offshore! Yay thanks POTUS

3 Cancel the HUGE UNFAIR student debt, thanks POTUS

4 Negotiate with drug companies CUT DRUG PRICES! thanks POTUS

5 SEE #1, see UPS Drivers

Show threadsu_liamSep 12, 2025
@rbreich Damn right, Bob!