Mario Savio Memorial Lecture: Robert Reich on Class Warfare in America

[NorEth6654]

The best way for the 99% to even the field is to cut the 1% off as much as is practicable. The first thing we can do is STOP buying small crap on credit. Bankers have hired psychologists to tell them what we're going to do. Then they design credit offers around it. The second is to buy a modest home and hold on to it (a house is not an ATM). And the third is to buy a car you really like, take good care of it,and hold onto it. We don't trade in washing machines. We unload them when they're dead.

[nash984954]

No one can convince me that the 1% all earned what they have without ripping someone else off. Someone please show me they earned what they have without the 99%.

[NorEth6654]

@nash984954 You are absolutely right.... The 1% got what they have from all of us. Some in straightforward ways and others in sneaky underhanded ways. There is only so much money in the economy and unfortunately much of it has been whisked to the top and is held there.

Watch: The One Percent documentary. It's on YouTube in 8 parts.

[nash984954]

Robert Reich is the greatest!

[dm1121ww]

People always leave out Ohio when we talk of executions. The State quietly murders lots of people here.

[qshoe1989]

Awesome speech.

[TheManray05]

THe price of apathy is to be ruled by evil men.

Thank YOU, Robert Reich.

[1Makyo]

@TheManray Communism is great. First you get rid of all the rich people. Take their money away from them and spread it around. Next, take their property and let the masses enjoy living there instead. Now you are ready to give to each according to their needs, and take from each according to their ability.

You have arrived at communism . No more property, it belongs to the state, but it is shared by all. Everyone can live on Nob hill.

Almost forgot, health care will be free. You will need it.

[TheManray05]

@1Makyo No one is advocating communism. When the divide between rich and poor becomes so great, as we see today in the US, if you believe we live in a representative republic you're an idiot. We are owned by very few people and we've been at this point in our history before.

I habve no issue with wealtyh. I dfo have an issue when this overwhelms our ability to have a future for our next generation for 99% of the people. You haven't read your history have you?

[1Makyo]

@TheManray05 Wealth is not a zero sum game dude. There is opportunity to make money for yourself. Don't wast your time envying those who already have money. Go get some for yourself. I am not owned by anyone, and neither are you.

[mary5827]

A great speech by a great man!

[nsnjohnson]

I wonder if Prof. Reich came up with the title, or if the uploader here came up with it. I think the term "class warfare" is a sensationalized heading for the very well thought out and nuanced points Reich is making. It's not warfare, or a dog eat dog world, he takes a much more optimistic tone. He believes all sides can still work together to right the massive inequality that has occurred in the US, and that young people and protestors should lead the charge.

[pkuwu]

i have to cross the firewall to watch this video...but it's worth of doing so

can we just have some professors like robert to speak to such a crowd in mainland china?

we need real professors and a real university education...

[patholm76]

Robert Reich speech to Occupy Berkeley on Nov. 16, 2011

[jkcooperman]

Awesome and what memories does it evoke as I was there in 1964 to hear Mario Savio and then helped with the anti-war movement. When Robert rhetorically asked what the US has become and there were some suggestions from the crowd, my immediate thought was an oligarchy, ruled by war mongers and profiteers. And here in Canada, under Harper, things are not much better. Let's hope OWS has truly sparked a much needed revolution!

[TheManray05]

@jkcooperman I'm also Canadian, but live in the US in the Bay Area. I wanted to see this speech.

I'm grateful to still have my Canadian Passpot but I love the US. I regret I've watched it for 30 years sell itself to the highest bidder.

OWS makes me hopeful Americans will finally wake up from a 30 year nightmare.

[justgivemethetruth]

The idea that our country can grow richer and more powerful by cutting off a good 2/3s of the population, putting them in virtual slavery and using them as whipping boys and scapegoats is wrong, in fact often when these things happen in a country it leads to something like the Nazis or the Bolsheviks - ie. just groups that crave power - and do not care about philosophy or logic.

[justgivemethetruth]

Love this guy .... love his books, and his clear fact-based style of speaking.

I'd like to see him in the White House, or the Governor's mansion.

Reich can articulate the changes that need to happen better than almost any other well-known political figure in the country - and he can think on his feet ... not to mention cracking jokes too. We need people like him put in positions of power or nothing is going to improve.

[ParticipationArt]

It's not Sacrement, but the Board of Regents, which include bankers and developers who have their own agenda.

[BitchMidwife]

Miss you and LOVE YOU BERKELEY!!!!!

[ThisbeandPyramus]

he's on fire here

[N89J00X]

Thank you professor!



[decagon]

I only wish we could direct this energy toward Sacramento and not against the university. They're the source of this whole budget rubbish that's forcing the university to squeeze the students.

[thesparitan]

So glad I am subscribed to this. Never thought it would work out so well. One of the greatest speeches ever.

[billybobhobnob101]

Forget about executing a corporation but how about that they experience political disenfranchisement like a felon does- commit a felony and you lose your voting rights- when the corporations break multiple regulations they should get the same treatment being disallowed the ability to influence the political process.