Audio
Is the Working Class "Coming Apart"? (Podcast)
Published on February 14, 2012Charles Murray's new book, Coming Apart,is criticized as a "blame-the-victim" argument applied to the white working class just as Patrick Moynihan applied it to the African-American working class in the 1960s. Murray excludes and thereby exonerates the economic system from responsibility for working class suffering and dysfunction; he blames instead character flaws somehow newly developed in that class.We develop a counterargument that locates the behaviors of both the 1% and the 99% in their logical responses to a dysfunctional economic system.
How to Occupy the Economy: According to Richard Wolff
Published on February 8, 2012The interview took place on Making Contact
Occupy Wall Street has changed the conversation about the distribution of wealth, and an economic framework which for decades, has been taken for granted. So what now? What policy changes and initiatives should the movement be pushing for? On this edition, University of Massachusetts at Amherst emeritus economics professor Richard Wolff speaks about some of the roots of, and solutions to, the economic inequality that’s finally being acknowledged.
Interview with Eric Mann on KPFK Los Angeles
Published on February 4, 2012Richard Wolff joins Eric Mann to discuss some of the current economic and political occurrences on January 31st on Voice From The Frontline on KPFK Los Angeles radio.
Economic Update on WBAI Feb 4th, 2012
Published on February 4, 2012Updates on rising US political donations by the wealthy, 1990-2010; falling unemployment and retail jobs, European pressures on Greece to cut wages. Major topics analyzed: (1) "trickle up" vs "trickle down" economics, (2) Obama's export promotion strategy, (3) dependence of private capitalist business on state supports.Economic Update on WBAI Jan 28th, 2012
Published on January 28, 2012Updates on Obama's SOTU Speech, Apple's Chinese factories, declining US union membership, rising health plan costs, and UK moves to curtail executive salaries. Major analyses of the capitalist/socialism difference and why there is plenty of money now for needed public services, contrary to business and political claims. Responses to listener's comments on: the "sugar baby" industry, women holding families together, and differences among kinds of coops.Economic Update on WBAI Jan 14th, 2012
Published on January 14, 2012Updates on PEW polls on shifts to market economies in Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia; on US media consolidation into 6 giant companies; on bankruptcy of Jefferson County, Alabama. Analysis of (1) public enterprises in US and especially community owned-power companies, and (2) economic inefficiency of global capitalist competition (example: excess automobile capacity). Response to questions on Henry George and taxing rents and on growth of pornography.
Economic Update on WBAI Jan 7th, 2012
Published on January 7, 2012Updates on latest data for income of top 1%, on low US tax burden relative to other countries, on flaw in two-tier union contracts (example: GM and UAW), and on PEW poll research findings of widespread positive US attitudes toward socialism. Interview with Prof. David Fasenfest, Wayne State Univ., on Detroit's economic decline as emblem of US capitalist development and role of Occupy Detroit movement.Economic Update on WBAI Dec 31st, 2011
Published on December 31, 2011Updates on (1) "the markets" as fake causes of layoffs and austerity, (2) the SEC deal over Citigroup conflict of interest, (3) China's tariffs on US autos, and (4) US real wage drop in 2011 while labor productivity and thus profits rise. Major interview with Gar Alperovitz on US economic decline and movement toward "socialized capital" and worker owned and directed enterprises.
Economic Update on WBAI Dec 24th, 2011
Published on December 25, 2011Updates focus on European and US bank regulations, UK deals allowing major corporate tax evasions, and top 1% comments on OWS protests. Interview psychotherapist Tess Fraad-Wolff on how recent economic changes have affected and changed personal lives, including intimate relationships, partly by expanding the pornography industry and its impact. Listeners' comments addressed: Germany's role in Europe's economy, workers' self-directed enterprises, and Ron Paul's economic proposals.
Economic Update on WBAI Dec 10
Published on December 10, 2011Updates on latest European Summit as attempt of top 1% to impose austerity on 99% and Michigan's parallel attempt to impose austerity on Detroit; corruption scandals at Wachovia Bank and MF Global Brokerage. Interview with Victor Wallis on ecology and economics comparing capitalist and socialist responses to environmental crisis. Response to question on implications and lessons from Lehman Brothers Bank's bankruptcy, 2008 through 2011.
