What Has Gone Wrong with Our Economy and Democracy and How to Fix It

Our economy and democracy are in a state of crisis. The gap between the rich and the poor is growing wider, and our political system is increasingly gridlocked. Meanwhile, the middle class is shrinking, and our democracy is under attack from both within and without.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the decline of our economy.

• The increasing concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few. The richest 1% of Americans now own more wealth than the bottom 90% combined. This concentration of wealth has led to a decline in economic mobility and a decrease in the bargaining power of workers.
• The rise of automation and artificial intelligence. Automation and AI are displacing workers in a wide range of industries, leading to job losses and wage stagnation.
• The offshoring of jobs to low-wage countries. American companies have been increasingly offshoring jobs to low-wage countries in order to reduce labor costs. This has led to a decline in manufacturing jobs in the United States and a decrease in wages for American workers.
• The deregulation of the financial industry. The deregulation of the financial industry in the 1990s led to a number of financial crises, including the 2008 financial crisis. These crises have had a devastating impact on the economy, leading to job losses, foreclosures, and a decline in the value of homes and retirement accounts.

Our democracy is also in a state of crisis. The following are some of the factors that have contributed to the decline of our democracy:

Beyond Outrage: Expanded Edition: What has gone wrong with our economy and our democracy, and how to fix it

by Robert B. Reich

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4481 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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• The rise of money in politics. The Supreme Court's Citizens United decision has allowed corporations and wealthy individuals to spend unlimited amounts of money on elections. This has given them an unfair advantage in the political process and has made it more difficult for candidates who do not have access to large amounts of money to run for office.
• The gerrymandering of electoral districts. Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing electoral districts in order to give one political party an unfair advantage. This has led to a decline in the competitiveness of elections and has made it more difficult for minority voters to elect candidates of their choice.
• The suppression of voting rights. Voter suppression is the practice of making it more difficult for people to vote. This has disproportionately affected minority voters and has made it more difficult for them to participate in the political process.
• The erosion of public trust in government. The public's trust in government has declined in recent years. This is due in part to the perceived failures of government to address the needs of the people, as well as to the increasing polarization of American politics.

There are a number of things that we can do to fix our economy and democracy.

To fix our economy, we need to:

• Reduce the concentration of wealth and power. We need to do this by raising taxes on the wealthy, closing tax loopholes, and increasing the minimum wage.
• Invest in education and job training. We need to make sure that our workers have the skills they need to compete in the 21st-century economy.
• Support small businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. We need to provide them with access to capital, mentorship, and other resources.
• Promote fair trade. We need to make sure that our trade agreements are fair to American workers and businesses.
• Regulate the financial industry. We need to make sure that the financial industry is regulated in a way that protects consumers and the economy.

To fix our democracy, we need to:

• Get money out of politics. We need to pass a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and get money out of politics.
• End gerrymandering. We need to pass laws that prohibit gerrymandering and ensure that electoral districts are drawn fairly.
• Expand voting rights. We need to pass laws that make it easier for people to vote, including same-day registration, automatic voter registration, and early voting.
• Restore public trust in government. We need to make government more transparent and accountable to the people. We also need to promote civic education and engagement.

These are just some of the things that we can do to fix our economy and democracy. It will not be easy, but it is essential. Our economy and democracy are the foundation of our society. We must not allow them to be destroyed.

Our economy and democracy are in a state of crisis. The gap between the rich and the poor is growing wider, and our political system is increasingly gridlocked. Meanwhile, the middle class is shrinking, and our democracy is under attack from both within and without.

There are a number of things that we can do to fix our economy and democracy. But it will not be easy. We must be willing to make sacrifices and to compromise. We must also be willing to stand up for what we believe in.

The future of our country is at stake. We must not let our economy and democracy be destroyed. We must come together and fight for the future that we want for ourselves and our children.

Image Alt Attributes

• Income Inequality: A graph showing the widening gap between the rich and the poor in the United States.
• Money in Politics: A photo of a politician shaking hands with a corporate lobbyist.
• Gerrymandering: A map of a gerrymandered electoral district.
• Voter Suppression: A photo of a voter being turned away from a polling place.
• Public Trust in Government: A graph showing the decline in public trust in government in recent years.

Beyond Outrage: Expanded Edition: What has gone wrong with our economy and our democracy, and how to fix it

by Robert B. Reich

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4481 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	178 pages

FREE