On this edition of Your Call, we’re speaking with former Labor Secretary Robert Reich about the economic crisis and growing inequality. As of mid-August, more than 29 million Americans were receiving some sort of unemployment insurance.
Democrats support an extension of $600 in weekly federal unemployment benefits, but Republicans won’t budge. Over 30 million people say their households don’t have enough to eat and despite a federal ban, renters are still being evicted. According to the Poor People’s Campaign, 140 million people in the US are poor or low-income. What will it take to truly tackle this crisis and what’s at stake in the upcoming election?
Guest:
Robert Reich, former US secretary of labor, professor of public policy at UC Berkeley, and author of many books including his latest, The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It
Web Resources:
The Guardian, Robert Reich: Trump doesn't care if wildfires destroy the west – it didn't vote for him
The Guardian, Robert Reich: On Labor Day, remember this: Trump's America works only for the rich
The New York Times, Nelson D. Schwartz & Gillian Friedman: Unemployment Claims Send Another Worrisome Note
NYT Mag: America at Hunger's Edge
Reuters, Howard Schneider & Jonnelle Marte: Retirements, layoffs, labor force flight may leave scars on U.S economy
The Verge, Justine Calma: Democrats unveil new agenda for economic recovery and climate action