mention Reagan all you want, but the real reason this economy is under a wrecking ball is

[truedelphi]

Because we Americans only got this type of energy back in the 1930's. Watch it and listen to it and then weep:

[cantbeserious]

1. Who Stole The American Dream - Video - Book - Powell Memo

"The promise of a prosperous middle-class life with decent work, rising living standards, and the potential for a better future has long been the foundation of the American dream. But as America continues to struggle to recover from the Great Recession, it has become clear that the middle class is in jeopardy -- and many of the policies of the last 40 years are to blame.

Examining the political, legislative, and corporate choices that have pushed the middle class to the brink, Pulitzer Prize- and Emmy Award-winning journalist, producer, and bestselling author Hedrick Smith details the story of this demise. In his new book, Who Stole the American Dream?, Mr. Smith analyzes how "pro-business" policies dismantled the previous American social contract and tells the stories of the people who have been left behind. ..."

The Book - Who Stole The American Dream

http://www.amazon.com/Stole-American-Dream-Hedrick-Smith/dp/1400069661

See the Powell Manifesto Here.

http://www.thwink.org/sustain/articles/017_PowellMemo/PowellMemoReproduction.pdf

Commentary Here.

http://www.thwink.org/sustain/articles/017_PowellMemo/

[truedelphi]

4. The word I am about to mention is overused,

But this video you posted deserves it: Awesome!

I am at the fifteen minute mark, and really glad to know someone has put together a book that synthesizes so much of what has contributed to the Middle Class' decline.

[cantbeserious]

5. Thank You For Watching - The Message And Information Needs Exposure - Please Share Widely

eom

[HangOnKids]

13. Riveting

Awesome video.

[Orrex]

2. I blame the Biagong pipes and the placebo effect.

Also, I was afraid that your post was going to be a Miley Cyrus tribute.

[truedelphi]

3. That little twerker refuses to be in any of my videos.

Since her recent fifteen minutes of fame, she simply charges too much!

[madokie]

6. Kick so I can find it later

I hear a bed calling me right now.

[cantbeserious]

7. Please Come Back After A Respite - It Will Be Well Worth Your Time

eom

[madokie]

8. I will, I promise

In fact I can't wait but for right now I must turn in.

[KentuckyWoman]

9. kick

[madinmaryland]

10. Is there a summary of this video that I can read?? For those of us

without audio, it would be really appreciated if you could provide a summary of what was said.

Edited to add: There is a forum for folks who want to watch videos. TIA.

[pacalo]

11. It's FDR's inauguration on March 4, 1933.

If you'd like, you can read the transcript below:

http://www.inaugural.senate.gov/swearing-in/address/address-by-franklin-d-roosevelt-1933

[pacalo]

12. That's a really good point but I disagree about the significance of Reagan's responsibility.

My dad worked for the same company from the beginning of the Eisenhower presidency & that company paid well (thanks to the local industries' unions whose bargaining strength kept non-union companies competitive in salaries & good insurance) & regarded their employees with respect & decency.

The company had a lot of employee perks, such as a yearly Bingo night, one for the employees/guests & one for employees' children; a 4-lane bowling alley for employees & families; a recreation room, which was also used for weekly movie nights for employees' children; yearly family picnics held at the company-owned community park, which also had a baseball/softball field (which I played on many times).

When Jimmy Carter was president, the only economic crisis I remember is the (so the oil companies claimed) gasoline shortage. (According to my college sociology textbook, the gasoline shortage was contrived.)

Then, after Reagan became president in January 1981, the first layoffs in our area -- ever -- began around the Autumn of 1981. It's pretty hard to make sense out of laying off employees when the companies are continuing at peak level in profits.

It's steadily declined for the working folks. Everything goes up but the paycheck -- & the paycheck has gotten smaller for many.

I enjoyed watching the video.

/edited for clarity.

[truedelphi]

14. Great content in your post.

However, you have to admit that the layoffs continued under Clinton as well, and he added NAFTA to the mix.

It is also fair to blame ourselves as well. I knew so many tech types who in the early 1980's, were totally disinterested when the textile mills moved from Northern states to Southern ones and then over to third world nations. "Stupid people thinking a textile industry would continue to support them," "I knew enough to learn a trade involving IT and computers," and Blah Blah Blah.

No unity among workers - just a lot of "snide" and "I am better than the textile workers and I am better than the auto workers."

Then when the tech jobs and data information jobs moved overseas, they were all crying about the mess we were in.

Had American workers stuck together, it would have been hard to pull this off. But the One Percent was smart enough to do this one industry at a time.

[pacalo]

15. NAFTA was the absolute *worst* thing to happen to American workers.

We elect leaders to make our lives better, not to enrich foreign countries at our expense by giving them our jobs.

As FDR said in his 1933 inaugural address:

The people of the United States have not failed. In their need they have registered a mandate that they want direct, vigorous action. They have asked for discipline and direction under leadership. They have made me the present instrument of their wishes. In the spirit of the gift I take it.

One point that I should have made in my post above: what makes layoffs in my area so significant is the fact that the industries here are those that are essential for everyday products -- chemical & oil refineries. Living near the railroad tracks, I hear trains coming & going at a steady pace that carry the tank cars full of product; business for these refineries continues to be awfully good. Overall, the refineries in my area present a pretty good gauge as to whether or not layoffs are bogus; when layoffs happen here, they're done for the sake of more profits.




/edited for spelling

[truedelphi]

16. That is an interesting report. And

A Happy New Year's to you, too!

[pacalo]

17. Same to you, truedelphi!