Mechele Dickerson

Mechele Dickerson, a law professor at the University of Texas and author of The Middle Class New Deal, dives into America’s affordability crisis. She rates it a nine, arguing that the middle-class dream is slipping away, rooted in trends dating back to the 1980s. Dickerson contrasts today's struggles with the easier paths of previous generations, revealing how stagnant wages push families into hidden debt. She advocates for a New Middle Class New Deal, emphasizing education reforms and local housing policies to revitalize economic security for all.

Mechele Dickerson, a law professor at the University of Texas and author of The Middle Class New Deal, discusses bold proposals to revive America's middle class. She argues that the original New Deal established stability and prosperity, emphasizing financial security over mere wealth. Dickerson advocates for government-guaranteed healthcare and reclassifying gig workers for benefits. They explore modernizing education and reviving unions to empower workers, warning that current inequalities echo the Gilded Age, threatening democracy and upward mobility for future generations.

In this episode, A. Mechele Dickerson, a law professor at the University of Texas and expert in bankruptcy and economic disparities, discusses her book on revitalizing the middle class. She reveals how policies since the 1980s have eroded worker stability and increased debt. Dickerson critiques current education and housing policies that hinder lower-income families, and highlights the detrimental effects of unpaid internships. She advocates for innovative ideas, like repurposing schools for community needs and transforming vacant buildings into affordable housing.