Stories by Robert Reich

Robert B. Reich has served in three national administrations, most recently as secretary of labor under President Bill Clinton. He also served on President Obama's transition advisory board. His latest book is Aftershock: The Next Economy and America's Future. His homepage is www.robertreich.org. subscribe to Robert Reich's feed

What BP's Oil Mess and Goldman Sachs' Rip-off Schemes Have in Common

Posted on: May 4, 2010, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

After 30 years of deregulation, it's no wonder everything from oil production to banking is screwed up.

Robert Reich: Here's What Real Wall Street Reform Should Look Like

Posted on: Apr 26, 2010, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

Dems are making a final push for Wall Street reform -- this is what citizens should be asking for.

The Feeble Economic Recovery Ahead

Posted on: Apr 15, 2010, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

Can we call this a recovery? More Americans will be working, but for pay they consider inadequate.

Robert Reich: Congress Must Break Up the Banks

Posted on: Apr 6, 2010, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

If the big banks stay big, their political lpower will stay big. That power will put taxpayers on the hook for the next banking mess.

There's Plenty of Fraud on Wall Street to Be Investigated Right Now

Posted on: Mar 31, 2010, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

While financial reform is needed, there's no reason to wait for it. The laws are already on the books.

Economy Looks Grim? Pass Healthcare Reform

Posted on: Mar 5, 2010, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

Why the continuing bad job numbers make it harder (but even more important) to push through a health care bill.

It's Time to Enact Health Care Reform With 51 Senate Votes

Posted on: Feb 22, 2010, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

Why haven't the President and Senate Democrats pulled the reconciliation trigger before now? Here are the theories. None of them justifies waiting any longer.

Explaining Obamanomics

Posted on: Feb 11, 2010, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

Republicans, Tea Partiers, deficit vultures, and Raging-Dog Democrats, all see Obamanomics as more taxes and more spending. That’s nonsense.

Hey Congress -- Stand up to Wall Street!

Posted on: Feb 5, 2010, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

Lobbyists aren't the only people working against financial reform. The lawmakers who accept their campaign cash deserve the same blame.

Our Incredible Shrinking Democracy

Posted on: Feb 2, 2010, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

"It seems as if more and more decisions that should be made democratically are being shunted off somewhere to a few people who make them in back rooms."

Hey Obama, Corporate Tax Cuts Can't Save Jobs

Posted on: Jan 29, 2010, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

Tax cuts for big corporations can boost profits, and also give ammunition to the same discredited right-wing economists who got us in this mess.

Obama's Latest Moves Will Punish the Middle Class -- Is He Panicking?

Posted on: Jan 27, 2010, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

His three-year freeze on a large portion of discretionary spending will make it impossible for him to do much of anything for the middle class that's important.

Jobs: The One Issue That Can Sink Democrats in November

Posted on: Jan 5, 2010, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

If unemployment is 10 percent or more next November, the Dems are in danger of losing the House and will almost certainly be short of the 60 votes they need in the Senate.

How Main Street Got Shafted While Wall Street Bounced Back

Posted on: Jan 4, 2010, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

Unless you work on Wall Street, you've probably had a hard year. Don't expect 2010 to be any better.

And They'll Call This Health-Care Reform: How Three Senators Are Extorting You For Their Big-Time Buddies

Posted on: Dec 17, 2009, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

Harry Reid will do anything to get sixty votes -- which means Lieberman, Nelson, and Snowe can use extortion on behalf of Big Insurance, Big Pharma, the AMA, and abortion foes.

How a Few Private Health Insurers Are on the Way to Controlling Health Care

Posted on: Dec 12, 2009, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

If you think an expanded Medicare makes up for the lack of a public option in the Senate bill, you're smoking medical marijuana.

Why Unemployment Is More Important Than Health-Care Reform

Posted on: Nov 4, 2009, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

Has Obama spent too much political capital on health-care reform, and not enough on keeping families afloat in a flailing economy?

Why Obama Has to do What Letterman Did: Refuse to Pay Hush Money

Posted on: Oct 19, 2009, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

The former labor secretary says that by buying off Big Pharma in return for its support on health-care reform, the president has succumbed to blackmail.

Americans Are Jobless and Scared -- The Government Must Spend More to Kickstart Our Economy

Posted on: Oct 4, 2009, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

The federal government should be spending even more than it already is. This is the only way to put Americans back to work. We did it during the Depression. It was called the WPA.

Where the White House is Placing Its Bets on Health Care

Posted on: Sep 14, 2009, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

Will the White House bet on its Dem base or Big Pharma and insurance companies in its health-care push? It's up to you, says the author.

3 Things Obama Must Demand From Congress on Health Care

Posted on: Sep 4, 2009, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

To get anything meaningful through this session of Congress, the president will have to give congressional Democrats far more leadership and more cover.

How the White House's Deal With Big Pharma Undermines Democracy

Posted on: Aug 11, 2009, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

When an industry gets secret concessions in return for a promise to lend its support to a key piece of legislation, we're in big trouble.

The Public Option Will Improve Private Health Insurance

Posted on: Jun 25, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Without the government as competition, the private sector has little incentive to improve.

Memo from Robert Reich to Obama: Here's How to Save Universal Health care

Posted on: Jun 21, 2009, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

Momentum for universal health care is slowing dramatically on Capitol Hill.

Obama Must Take On the Giant Lobbyists Blocking Health Care Reform

Posted on: Jun 14, 2009, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

This is one of those battles that define the state of American democracy.

The Great Debt Scare: Why Has It Returned?

Posted on: Jun 12, 2009, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

The government has to create larger deficits if the economy is to get anywhere near full capacity again.

Why You Should Work for a Hedge Fund

Posted on: Apr 7, 2009, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

The hedge-fund honchos will come out ahead no matter what. The same thing can't be said for taxpayers.

Bill Clinton's Old Politics: Demeaning and Disingenuous

Posted on: Jan 25, 2008, Source: Robert Reich's Blog

Bill Clinton’s ill-tempered and ill-founded attacks on Barack Obama are doing no credit to the former President, his legacy, or his wife’s campaign.

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