In an engaging discussion, Professor Emerita Arlie Hochschild, a renowned sociologist known for her work on the political right, delves into the unwavering support for Trump. She reveals how economic and social challenges, especially in places like eastern Kentucky, have forged a deep connection to his message. Hochschild emphasizes the importance of understanding this political base, highlighting their struggles and resilience amidst systemic issues. The conversation also touches on the impact of advertising and the moral dilemmas surrounding healthcare funding, unveiling complex societal dynamics.
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insights INSIGHT
Senator Ernst Admits Medicaid Cuts Kill
Senator Joni Ernst bluntly acknowledged that Medicaid cuts accelerate deaths among the poor she claims to represent.
This reveals the cold calculus of Republican policies prioritizing tax cuts for the rich over vital healthcare for the vulnerable.
insights INSIGHT
Union-Employer-Govt Alliance for Pay
Connecticut healthcare workers successfully pressured employers and government to raise wages from $18 to $22 an hour.
This shows the power of union-government-employer cooperation for social gains in a rich state.
insights INSIGHT
Advertising Corrupts Communication
Advertising, born of capitalism, distorts communication by hyping positives and hiding negatives about products.
This deception undermines honest community dialogue and manipulates consumers for profit.
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In this book, Arlie Russell Hochschild travels from her liberal hometown of Berkeley, California, to the conservative heartland of Louisiana to understand the rise of the Tea Party movement. She profiles individuals such as Mike Schaff, a former oil industry worker whose town was devastated by a drilling accident, and Lee Sherman, who suffered from toxic waste dumping. Hochschild seeks to overcome the 'empathy wall' between liberals and conservatives by exploring the deep emotional and social reasons behind their political views, including feelings of loss, anger, and a sense of betrayal. The book provides a nuanced understanding of why people might vote against their apparent self-interest and argues for the possibility of mutual compassion and understanding between the right and the left.
On this week’s episode of Economic Update, Professor Wolff delivers updates on the blow back to Iowa Senator Joni Ernst’s rationalization of budget cuts to Medicaid to help fund tax cuts for corporations and the rich, 8,000 Connecticut healthcare workers win contract gains by threatening to strike, and how the advertising industry spawned by capitalism distorts and corrupts human communication. The show's second half features an interview with UC-Berkeley Professor Arlie Hochschild on the reasons why Trump's political base continues to support him.
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Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff 