G&R Episode 6: Populism and the New Deal, Do Those Words Mean What You Think They Mean?

The world is in full blown panic around the COVID19 pandemic. The global economy is shaking.  Today, the stock market took its biggest dip since September 1987. Panic about the virus and jobs and business is kicking in.   During previous economic crashes, most notably the Panic of 1893 and the 1929 crash that launched the Great Depression, we saw moments emerge that initially challenged the ruling class. Both the populist movement of the 1890s, and social justice and labor movements of the 1930s led to a "thunder on the left" that terrified the ruling class. From William Jennings Bryan to Sinclair Lewis and Huey Long to Bernie Sanders, populist figures on the left are much more of a threat to Wall Street and the uber-rich than billionaire reality TV stars.  As a result, the rich always know how to turn bottom-up led movements into top-down reform that actually benefits the wealthy with social stability and new consumer markets  So, in this episode, Bob and Scott talk about the real meaning of Populism and the New Deal.  Plus a shout out to our three new patrons supporting Green and Red on Patreon.com.   And we close it out with a little Jefferson Airplane singing about how we're all in it together: "We are forces of chaos and anarchy, everything they say we are, we are, and we are very proud of ourselves.  Up against the wall Motherfuckers."  Thanks and stay safe out there!  Also check us out on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!