Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff Tariffs, the Working Class, and Resistance
11 snips
Apr 15, 2025 David Van Deusen, former head of the Vermont state AFL-CIO and an organizer of union-based resistance, discusses the impact of government policies on the working class. He critiques the Trump-era tariffs and their harmful effects on public employees. The conversation also highlights Vermont's labor movement as a model of resilience. Van Deusen emphasizes the need for grassroots training in union organization and proactive resistance against socio-political challenges. The episode showcases the importance of solidarity in empowering workers and addressing economic inequalities.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Trump's Policies Hurt Working Class
- Trump's tariff program and firing of federal employees are aggressive measures benefiting businesses at the expense of the working class.
- These actions reveal deep systemic economic troubles in U.S. capitalism rather than mere policy tweaks.
Government Desperation Revealed
- The U.S. government is desperate financially, leading to drastic cuts like mass layoffs of federal workers.
- This desperation reflects underlying fiscal crises, not simple efficiency improvements.
Tariffs as Regressive Taxes
- Tariffs act like regressive sales taxes, disproportionately hurting poor and working-class people.
- This economic burden intensifies inequalities by making everyday goods more expensive for those least able to pay.
