

Wall Street’s War on Workers (with Les Leopold)
Mar 11, 2025
Les Leopold, a labor educator and author, reveals the harsh realities of corporate layoffs driven by Wall Street in a quest for profits. He discusses how stock buybacks and deregulation have shifted layoffs from signs of failure to strategic tools, alienating workers and exacerbating inequality. Leopold highlights the economic and social crises in areas like Mingo County, advocating for grassroots movements and innovative policies to restore worker rights. The conversation aims to empower the working class against corporate greed and inspire systemic change.
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The Shift in Layoff Perception
- Mass layoffs, once a sign of corporate failure, are now considered smart management due to Wall Street's influence.
- This shift happened due to deregulation, stock buybacks, and a focus on shareholder value.
Power in Economics
- Traditional economic theory often overlooks the role of power dynamics.
- Power imbalances, like wealth disparity, create an uneven playing field in the economy.
Building Political Power
- Create a strong, populist, anti-Wall Street platform outside the Democratic Party to gain leverage.
- Gather a million signatures to demonstrate real political power and force negotiations.