Robert Reich Calls Out Corporate Power Threatening US Democracy [Uncut Full Conversation Rewind]

Synopsis:  Robert Reich Calls Out Corporate Power Threatening US Democracy This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate Description (original air date September 14, 2025)- The crisis we’re in was a long time coming. Now that we’re here, what do we do about it? Returning to the show, former Labor Secretary and longtime professor Robert Reich joins Laura Flanders to discuss two bullies tormenting U.S. democracy: concentrated wealth and corporate power. As Reich shares, growing income inequality yields corruption in our politics and economy. No one election will change everything, but that’s not a reason not to act, and act quickly to defeat the Trump administration — in Congress, and at the polls. Reich’s latest Substack, “Should Democrats Shut Down the Government?” presents some ideas. Reich's latest book is “Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America”. He  is also the subject of “The Last Class” about his final semester teaching at UC Berkeley's Goldman School. He's the author of eighteen books, including the bestsellers, “Aftershock” and “The System: Who Rigged It and How We Fix It,” and is co-founder of Inequality Media. Online, you can find Reich’s viral video explainers and his widely-read newsletter on Substack. Join Reich and Flanders as they unpack how economic and political power intersect in American life – and catch Laura’s two cents on “democratic capitalism.” “If the Republicans who now control Congress say, “‘We're not going to give you any role at all, and we are not even going to reassume our constitutional role as Congress,’ then I think the Democrats have no choice but to say, ‘Forget it. That's it. The only way we bring attention to this crisis is we stop and shut the whole place down.’” - Robert Reich Guest:  Robert Reich- Former Secretary of Labor; Professor Emeritus, University of California Berkeley; Author, Coming Up Short: My Memoir of America Full Conversation Release: While our weekly shows are edited to time for broadcast on Public TV and community radio, we offer to our members and podcast subscribers the full uncut conversation. These audio exclusives are made possible thanks to our member supporters. Watch the special report on YouTube; PBS World Channel Sundays 11:30am, and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode cut airs on community radio across the country  (check here to see if your station is airing the show) & as a podcast. RESOURCES: *Recommended book:  “Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America, by Robert Reich - *Get the Book (*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate of bookshop.org and will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.)   Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes: •  Democracy & Capitalism: A Failed Experiment?  Watch •  The Pandemic Economy-  Watch / Listen •  Naomi Klein & Astra Taylor: Are We Entering “End Times Fascism”?  Watch / Listen: Episode and Full Conversation   •  Masha Gessen & Jason Stanley: Is it Doomsday for U.S. Democracy? Watch / Listen: Episode and Full Conversation   Related Articles and Resources: •  Documentary:  The Last Class with Robert Reich •  “The Jobs Crash” by Robert Reich, Substack •  Democrats Regain Advantage in Party Affiliation, by Jeffrey M. Jones, July 31, 2025, Gallup News •  Bessent hails new ‘Trump accounts’ as ‘backdoor for privatizing Social Security, by Michael Stratford, July 30, 2025, Politico •  Co-founded by Robert Reich: Inequality Media and Inequality Media Civic Action •  Office Hours:  Who is MOST responsible for this catastrophe, other than Trump? By Robert Reich, September 3, 2025, SubStack • Schumer:  Democrats ‘will force votes’ on Trump tariffs after disappointing jobs report, by Al Weaver, September 5, 2025, The Hill   Full Episode Notes are located HERE. Music Credit:  'Thrum of Soil' by Bluedot Sessions, and original sound design by Jeannie Hopper Support Laura Flanders and Friends by becoming a member at https://www.patreon.com/c/lauraflandersandfriends Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O’Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. 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