Robert Reich Vs The Internet: Former Labor Secretary Takes to Reddit to Talk Directly to Users
- Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:00pm by
Mytheos Holt
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Robert B. Reich, former Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton, has never been shy about voicing his opinions. Yet the former Labor Secretary might have set a record for transparency today when he decided to answer questions on the popular internet site Reddit, apparently without any filter for the sorts of questions that come through. You can follow the conversation (and participate) here.
Here are some highlights of Reich’s conversation with Redditors thus far:
Q: Mr. Reich, is the United States is a functioning republic? also – what would you do, now, if you were secretary of labor? would you encourage and protect small businesses? what about healthcare?
A: We’re drifting toward becoming a plutocracy, run by a relatively small number of extremely wealthy individuals, CEOs, and Wall Street moguls. That’s why we need to get serious about campaign finance reform, why tax reform is vital, and why the entire economy needs to be reorganized to widen the circle of prosperity — so that far more of us benefit from the gains of productivity growth. If I were back in the administration, I’d strengthen labor unions, try to create a single-payer system for healthcare, use antitrust laws to break up big concentrations of power (such as the biggest banks on Wall Street), resurrect the Glass-Steagall Act (that used to separate investment from commercial banking), and enlarge the Earned Income Tax Credit (a wage subsidy for lower-income workers).[...]
Q: In the sense that the United States political system will no longer look like it used to, yes. Obviously the country is not going to fall into anarchy. But without institutional changes, all branches of government will have to be controlled by the same party if they’re going to be at all effective. We will have to enter into a pseudo one-party state.
A: I’m not quite as pessimistic, but I do think there have to be major institutional changes. The most important, in my view, is limiting campaign contributions. That will be hard to do in the wake of the Supreme Court’s grotesque “Citizen’s United” decision, but I still think public financing of general elections can work, if the extent of the potential financing is raised. Remember, both presidential candidates used public financing in 1976, and didn’t rely on any outside financing. Seems hard to believe from where we are now.[...]
Q: I know that you are trying to debate Bill O’ Reilly. I don’t get why he calls you a communist but then is not man enough to debate you.
A: As to Bill O’Reilly — what can I say? He called me a “communist who secretly adores Karl Marx” because I said on the Daily Show last week that global corporatoins can’t be relied on to make the kinds of investments in education, infrastructure, and basic R&D in America that the nation requires. I challenged him to debate all this, but I haven’t heard squat from him. I left a message on his office phone a few days ago, but still nothing. Maybe you should write him: @oreillyfactor
And in perhaps the most blunt exchange of the entire thread:
Q: In your opinion, are we in the Endgame of the Republic?
A: No.
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Abraham Young
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 7:06pmI could not care less what small minded socialists think on Reddit or any other website. Reich is another in a series of socialist missionaries who don’t know right from wrong or their head from their …….. wait for it…….heels.
Report Post »Jamesjim
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 1:17pmWhat a little man he is, and I am not referring to his height.
Report Post »Brasil2520
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 12:31pmI always like to see und hear his last name : )
Report Post »Quandary
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 12:15pm” I’d strengthen labor unions” .. once upon a time labor unions were about making sure a building had proper stairwells so that if a fire broke out people didnt burn alive. Today theyre about bankrupting entire companies (GM, Hostess) and even entire states (California).
Report Post »blazingaway
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 12:03pmDoes Robert Reich carry a “big stick” too … perhaps Joe Biden knows .. he seems to know all about BO’s big stick
Report Post »muddy_canto
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:37pmIt was nice that they could find enough phone books for him to sit on while he typed.
“the entire economy needs to be reorganized to widen the circle of prosperity — so that far more of us benefit from the gains of productivity growth”. ??????
That‘s what’s so great about free markets, Bob. EVERYONE can benefit from the “circle” if they but choose to jump in and contribute. The “circle” evaporates if we try to “widen it” around those that sit on their ass.
Report Post »Zipit
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 8:06amBingo!!!!!
Report Post »Czynik
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:17pmNever forget this quote from Robert Reich, adviser to Clinton and 0bama -
“And by the way, we’re going to have to, if you’re very old, we’re not going to give you all that technology and all those drugs for the last couple of years of your life to keep you maybe going for another couple of months. It’s too expensive…so we’re going to let you die.”
Report Post »Eraina962
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 10:53pmI don’t trust Robert Reich. I think he’s self-important arrogant man who has a need to control others because he’s a midget (physically and mentally).
Report Post »SHOWMESTATEGUY
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 10:52pmReich is a funny little guy isn’t he. He doesn’t know his butt from a plate but the dem libs love him.
Report Post »marinedad3
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 10:35pminterestingly enough he says that “America is in drifting towards a plutocracy, which he says is a bad thing, then proposes a one party system to remedy it?????????????? I AGREE,WE ARE DRIFTING TOWARDS A PLUTOCRACY but if you genuinely look you will see that the elites are not Wallstreet “fat cats” but “ivy league liberals”!
Report Post »13th Generation American
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 10:33pmHe basically just said everything the Tea Party stood for before it got co-opted by the far right. He‘s right on the money but unfortunately it’s going to take this Casino Gangsta Capitalism we‘ve morphed into to crash it’self before people start to wake up.
Report Post »Unix
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:22pmPlease, put your head back in the sand, your ignorance is showing.
Report Post »SandyfromChesterfield
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 10:23pmBill O’Reilly was joking when he called Reich a communist but I am not. You have to tell it like it is.
Report Post »marhee9
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 10:34pmNot only is he a communist. I call him Robert “the fourth” Reich, making him far worse than a communist. This guy is just another example of how radical the left has become. He’s all for big government even though we have a $16 trillion dollar debt. Just like the other loons, he wants even more government spending. Anyone who cares about our debt needs to see this.
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJC5Zw-ggrc
Lt_Scrounge
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 10:08pmAnyone care to bet that Reich has never had a real, productivity required, job in the private sector? I didn’t think so. He‘s just another one of the never had a real job wannabe dictator’s minion.
Report Post »disenlightened
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 10:04pmI always ignore Robert Reich…because he’s very short.
Report Post »ITSJESTTIM
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:58pmBefore I clicked on the link I put my mouse curser up his nose. Robert Reich is one of the good guys. We meet on the planet Regula. Did any of you meet Robert Reich on planet Regula? I thought not. LOLROTFOPR
Report Post »marine249
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:08pm@ TIM
I have been on planet Regula 4 or 5 times
Report Post »in April, I never ran accross you. As you know
Regula is not as big as Regule. Are you sure
you were not on Regule.
phrogdriver
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:49pmSo his one trick pony seems to be the idea that, if only we would restrict freedom of speech, we can have more freedom. Who does that make sense to? All the Citizen’s United case did was give everyone the same rights the Unions have had for decades. Boo-freaking-hoo.
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:49pmThe SCOTUS vacating McCain – Feingold is the only thing that gives the rest of us a fighting chance against the unions and the other leftist riff-raff… thus the reason why the leftists hate it.
Why do you suppose the leftists hate it so much?
Is it perfect? No
Is it our best defense against the leftists? Heck yes (why else would they be de-crying it)
Pretty much my deciding factor at this point is, if a leftists (democrat / rino) is for something, I am for it and vice – versa
Anybody but Obama or we die
We have much work to do 2010 was only a down payment.
We can (and must) do whatever it takes to save this Republic
No more ocuhc sitting. No more armchair quarterbacking.
If you are not willing to be the bane of your social, familial circle – shut up -don’t complain.
If you are not willing to lose a job or the accolades of man – shut up – don’t complain.
If you are waiting fior “someone”. you better be looking in the morror for that “someone” or we are doomed.
I can only do so much and it sis’t enough to make up fir you!!!!
If it really matters, you will get off you behind and work
We cannot be so lost. We cannot be…
The Lord is with me, I fear not…
With firm reliance on Divine Providence…
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord
Where are you?
Report Post »Unix
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:19pmI got your six! I have lost many friends and even family because I speak out. I will tell the truth, even if it means my death, for you see they cannot touch my soul, Jesus Christ has it. Amen.
Report Post »Unix
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:48pmI have to say the man is a .. Communist.
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:39pmCommunist
Report Post »oddball130
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:27pmWe havent been a Republic in 50 years. The Progressives have been working very hard behind the scene’s with the help of a few Progressive Republicans, especially the last 20 years to change the face of America. And they have suceeded. Even today, if you support anyone the Administration oppose’s, they will make you suffer. We are almost just another Socialist third-world country now as we are past the tipping point.
Report Post »jonnydoe
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:27pmBig whoop. Who doesn‘t know Robert Reich is a ’spread-the-wealth’ marxist?
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:24pmCome on, Bill O. Take this little feller’s invitation to debate. I’d love to converse with ole Bob.
Report Post »2Fedup
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:23pmIs this guy running for office in 2008? More laughable propaganda under the guise of journalism. This would be like Stephanopasnufalufagus advertising a hard-hitting interview w b.o. and then asking him why being awesome is so hard. If u halfway believe any of 3rd Reich’s talking points, u should save us ur carbon footprints and go on a sunshine-only diet.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:18pmWRONG: The US is now a Totalitarian Dictatorship with a Socialist Ideology.
Report Post »BigAl78
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 9:35pmUmmm… If the U.S. was a totalitarian dictatorship you would probably get sent to jail for calling the Obama Administration a totalitarian dictatorship. Just pointing that out.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 26, 2012 at 11:29pmProbably… if one Surrendered!
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