Thank you Elliot and Prof. Reich. What I would tell young folks is what I told a young woman at the “No Kings” protest here in S.F. last Saturday. This young woman, in her early 20s, was at the gathering at her grandparents behest. She told me that she didn’t believe the event could or would change anything. When asked she told me that she had never voted. … I told her that politicians do take note when masses of people take to the street to register their grievance against government policy and actions. … I told her that my son, an active US ARMY infantryman, was in service FOR HER right to vote. … I told her that people will, for better or for worse, get the government they deserve and that whatever government she lives under will affect her life to its core going forward. … I think she got my message. I know her grand-folks did and hopefully my message and their experience will be grist for an ongoing family dialogue. … I do think she will vote in the next election.
The bigger the ship, the longer it takes to change its direction. The U.S. is a big ship, maybe the planet's largest ship. We've been drifting for several decades. Technical and societal innovation have given birth to new kinds of storms to blow us off track. But this is nothing new. Last century, world wars and economic collapse threatened to end us, but we overcame those threats. With soul searching and sacrifice I believe the U.S. will find our way, but not easily or quickly. The young people today have a tremendous opportunity to lead us on.
I’m hoping to get a chance to host your film in our town! It’s sounds great and we need to gather and consider these very important things. And feel Hope.
It's amazing what a difference a few months makes. I was in a dark place at inauguration time. The period of mourning from election day to inauguration day was followed by the full force barrage of executive order brutality that flowed without letting up. While forewarned, I don't think we could wrap our collective minds around the impact until we were in the wake of that vile torrent. But, a few strong swimmers began to emerge and we gravitated towards their voices. Then, lawyers and federal district justices went to work challenging the constitutionality and legality of the over-reaching executive branch. What has subsequently transpired is nothing short of miraculous. Democracy within us has awakened and found it's voice. We will be battered by the storm we're in, but I am now hopeful, even confident that we'll survive it and send it back from whence it came. I'm not underestimating the difficulty or over-estimating our successes; we're up against all three branches of government; the imperial executive, the politicized Supreme Court and a hugely dysfunctional Congress. But, we showed up in our millions at two events not connected to a national holiday and I think we'll show up in force at the ballot box going forward. Last Saturday was a "cradle to grave" event in my community, full of enthusiasm and joy, not a single instance of civil disobedience to be seen. There's no telling blue from red, as we're not like the Sneeches, but I suspect every color of the rainbow was represented in that crowd. In the midst of ongoing sequential horrors, my hope and faith has been restored. If that's not a miracle, what is???
From a casual text exchange with the kernel of an idea on February 17, 2022, to a glorious world premiere of a feature-length documentary on June 13, 2025! Bravo, EK! Thanks for helping to ensure so many will get to learn from Prof. Robert Reich, the educator, in ever-new ways. Here’s to the teachers!
Thank you Elliot. As a subscriber to Robert Reich's Substack column I had the privilege of "sitting in" on these classes online. They are well worth hearing and seeing.
Much is wrong here, and inconsistent with principles of democracy, I agree. But I do not believe that the situation is irretrievable. I will leave it at that-respectfully disagreeing with you as to whether leaving is the right thing to do. And I sincerely hope that our young citizens can see the wisdom and benefit of staying, resisting, and finding improvement building on the greatest of our achievements and principles.
How sad the future is for young people even if we manage to get our Democracy back, the Earth is still burning. I have no kids but my friends with kids? Well, nobody is getting any grandkids. Some of them marry but the twenty to thirty somethings that I know are too frightened to bring children into this world.
I can't currently put into words all the things that I would like to Stress about what they should understand, but the you Elliot and Prof Robert Reich, along with the commentors on this article round up what I feel.
We all get old and harbor disappointments about our society and what we could of, should of done. But if we live in reality there is no escape of the moment and what we must do regardless of our age. That means to fight for our rights and for a better USA. I hope young people will continue the fight no matter what the electorate has handed us. Revolutionary moments do happen. Let's not be overly cynical.
What often gets overlooked is the quiet power of personal savings. By increasing your savings, you not only strengthen your own financial position, but you also interrupt the constant churn of consumption that fuels the stock and credit markets. That’s precisely the point.
In a comment on Robert Reich’s post, I highlighted what I see as the second most critical force in the U.S. economy: consumption. Your country operates on two main drivers—markets and mass consumption. With a population ten times Canada’s (my country), even a modest shift in your spending habits has an outsized impact. Imagine a coordinated, short-term pause in non-essential spending—just a day or two, like a “No Kings Day.” That alone would send a clear message through the financial system. And your current administration heads their message. Plus, they listen to the Chambers of Commerce.
No need to go dark for weeks. Just remind the markets who holds the power. And in the meantime, why not build your savings? I'm aware that saving is hard, and in many cases, implausible. It's the message that is important.
You just hit it out of the park again, Elliot ! I am so glad people loved your film as little nuggets like that are what keeps us going. There are so many of us, more than we know, who will be here after this vile current President is no longer. And we will prevail, for your daughters and my daughters and granddaughters, because our cause is righteous.
If I was young and seeing what we are all witnessing, we’re not a serious society. We let this devolve too far. There are societies that know how to govern themselves within the democratic ideals we used to revere. Its too far gone here. It’s not cowardice to own up to reality. We’ve squandered their future and they are outgunned and outmanned at this point. I’d get out if I could if I were a young person.
Thank you Elliot and Prof. Reich. What I would tell young folks is what I told a young woman at the “No Kings” protest here in S.F. last Saturday. This young woman, in her early 20s, was at the gathering at her grandparents behest. She told me that she didn’t believe the event could or would change anything. When asked she told me that she had never voted. … I told her that politicians do take note when masses of people take to the street to register their grievance against government policy and actions. … I told her that my son, an active US ARMY infantryman, was in service FOR HER right to vote. … I told her that people will, for better or for worse, get the government they deserve and that whatever government she lives under will affect her life to its core going forward. … I think she got my message. I know her grand-folks did and hopefully my message and their experience will be grist for an ongoing family dialogue. … I do think she will vote in the next election.
The bigger the ship, the longer it takes to change its direction. The U.S. is a big ship, maybe the planet's largest ship. We've been drifting for several decades. Technical and societal innovation have given birth to new kinds of storms to blow us off track. But this is nothing new. Last century, world wars and economic collapse threatened to end us, but we overcame those threats. With soul searching and sacrifice I believe the U.S. will find our way, but not easily or quickly. The young people today have a tremendous opportunity to lead us on.
I’m hoping to get a chance to host your film in our town! It’s sounds great and we need to gather and consider these very important things. And feel Hope.
It's amazing what a difference a few months makes. I was in a dark place at inauguration time. The period of mourning from election day to inauguration day was followed by the full force barrage of executive order brutality that flowed without letting up. While forewarned, I don't think we could wrap our collective minds around the impact until we were in the wake of that vile torrent. But, a few strong swimmers began to emerge and we gravitated towards their voices. Then, lawyers and federal district justices went to work challenging the constitutionality and legality of the over-reaching executive branch. What has subsequently transpired is nothing short of miraculous. Democracy within us has awakened and found it's voice. We will be battered by the storm we're in, but I am now hopeful, even confident that we'll survive it and send it back from whence it came. I'm not underestimating the difficulty or over-estimating our successes; we're up against all three branches of government; the imperial executive, the politicized Supreme Court and a hugely dysfunctional Congress. But, we showed up in our millions at two events not connected to a national holiday and I think we'll show up in force at the ballot box going forward. Last Saturday was a "cradle to grave" event in my community, full of enthusiasm and joy, not a single instance of civil disobedience to be seen. There's no telling blue from red, as we're not like the Sneeches, but I suspect every color of the rainbow was represented in that crowd. In the midst of ongoing sequential horrors, my hope and faith has been restored. If that's not a miracle, what is???
From a casual text exchange with the kernel of an idea on February 17, 2022, to a glorious world premiere of a feature-length documentary on June 13, 2025! Bravo, EK! Thanks for helping to ensure so many will get to learn from Prof. Robert Reich, the educator, in ever-new ways. Here’s to the teachers!
Thank you Heather for learning the producer ropes on this film and making it all possible.
Thank you Elliot. As a subscriber to Robert Reich's Substack column I had the privilege of "sitting in" on these classes online. They are well worth hearing and seeing.
Much is wrong here, and inconsistent with principles of democracy, I agree. But I do not believe that the situation is irretrievable. I will leave it at that-respectfully disagreeing with you as to whether leaving is the right thing to do. And I sincerely hope that our young citizens can see the wisdom and benefit of staying, resisting, and finding improvement building on the greatest of our achievements and principles.
How sad the future is for young people even if we manage to get our Democracy back, the Earth is still burning. I have no kids but my friends with kids? Well, nobody is getting any grandkids. Some of them marry but the twenty to thirty somethings that I know are too frightened to bring children into this world.
I pray that we can repair this wounded country.
"Purpose, empathy, and justice".... Yes! Thank you, Elliot.
Thank you for this lovely piece. You, Ms. Lofthouse, and Professor Reich are treasures all.
I can't currently put into words all the things that I would like to Stress about what they should understand, but the you Elliot and Prof Robert Reich, along with the commentors on this article round up what I feel.
We all get old and harbor disappointments about our society and what we could of, should of done. But if we live in reality there is no escape of the moment and what we must do regardless of our age. That means to fight for our rights and for a better USA. I hope young people will continue the fight no matter what the electorate has handed us. Revolutionary moments do happen. Let's not be overly cynical.
What often gets overlooked is the quiet power of personal savings. By increasing your savings, you not only strengthen your own financial position, but you also interrupt the constant churn of consumption that fuels the stock and credit markets. That’s precisely the point.
In a comment on Robert Reich’s post, I highlighted what I see as the second most critical force in the U.S. economy: consumption. Your country operates on two main drivers—markets and mass consumption. With a population ten times Canada’s (my country), even a modest shift in your spending habits has an outsized impact. Imagine a coordinated, short-term pause in non-essential spending—just a day or two, like a “No Kings Day.” That alone would send a clear message through the financial system. And your current administration heads their message. Plus, they listen to the Chambers of Commerce.
No need to go dark for weeks. Just remind the markets who holds the power. And in the meantime, why not build your savings? I'm aware that saving is hard, and in many cases, implausible. It's the message that is important.
You just hit it out of the park again, Elliot ! I am so glad people loved your film as little nuggets like that are what keeps us going. There are so many of us, more than we know, who will be here after this vile current President is no longer. And we will prevail, for your daughters and my daughters and granddaughters, because our cause is righteous.
If I was young and seeing what we are all witnessing, we’re not a serious society. We let this devolve too far. There are societies that know how to govern themselves within the democratic ideals we used to revere. Its too far gone here. It’s not cowardice to own up to reality. We’ve squandered their future and they are outgunned and outmanned at this point. I’d get out if I could if I were a young person.