Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast Robert Reich on Clintonomics, Trumponomics, Bullies
6 snips
Aug 5, 2025 
Robert Reich, recently retired as Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley and former Secretary of Labor, discusses the rise of economic inequality since the 1970s. He highlights how corporate political involvement shifted policies, exacerbating wealth gaps. Reich reflects on the contrasting trade policies of Clinton and Trump, particularly regarding NAFTA's impact on jobs. He also critiques the recent manipulation of economic data and emphasizes the need for transparency to restore public trust amidst growing inequality.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Origins of Middle Class Decline
- The shrinking of the American middle class began in the 1970s due to corporate political power growth after Lewis Powell's 1971 memo.
- The social compact that balanced profits with employee and community welfare unraveled, leading to wealth concentration at the top.
Manufacturing Job Loss Drivers
- Manufacturing job losses were mainly driven by China's WTO entry and technology, not NAFTA alone.
- Reduced union presence weakens job quality even if manufacturing returns to the U.S.
Integrity of Jobs Data
- Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs data come from many professional staff and are finalized before the commissioner sees them.
- The jobs report revision is normal but recent unusually large revisions raise questions needing fresh oversight.
