Robert Reich: If You Took the Greed Out of Wall Street, All You'd Have Left Is Pavement: Why Greg Smith's Critique Is Way Too Narrow

Robert Reich: If You Took the Greed Out of Wall Street, All You'd Have Left Is Pavement: Why Greg Smith's Critique Is Way Too Narrow: "If Mr. Smith believes such disregard of investors is unique to Goldman, he doesn't know the rest of Wall Street. In the late 1920s, National City Bank, which eventually would become Citigroup, repackaged bad Latin American debt as new securities which it then sold to investors no less gullible than Goldman Sachs's. After the Great Crash of 1929, National City's top executives helped themselves to the bank's remaining assets as interest-free loans while their investors and depositors were left with pieces of paper worth a tiny fraction of what they paid for them.

The problem isn't excessive greed. If you took the greed out of Wall Street all you'd have left is pavement. The problem is endemic abuse of power and trust. When bubbles are forming, all but the most sophisticated investors can be easily duped into thinking they'll get rich by putting their money into the hands of brand-named investment bankers."

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Robert Reich: The Widening Wealth Divide, and Why We Need a Surtax on the Super Wealthy

Robert Reich: The Widening Wealth Divide, and Why We Need a Surtax on the Super Wealthy: "Let Santorum and Romney duke it out for who will cut taxes on the wealthy the most and shred the public services everyone else depends on.

The rest of us ought to be having a serious discussion about a wealth tax. Because if you really want to know what's happening to the American economy you need to look at household wealth -- not just incomes.

The Fed just reported that household wealth increased from October through December. That's the first gain in three quarters.

Good news? Take closer look. The entire gain came from increases in stock prices. Those increases in stock values more than made up for continued losses in home values.

But the vast majority of Americans don't have their wealth in the stock market. Over 90 percent of the nation's financial assets -- including stocks and pension-fund holdings -- are owned by the richest 10 percent of Americans. The top 1 percent owns 38 percent."

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Robert Reich: The Difference Between Private and Public Morality

Robert Reich: The Difference Between Private and Public Morality: "Gingrich, and even Romney are barnstorming across the land condemning gay marriage, abortion, out-of-wedlock births, access to contraception, and the wall separating church and state.

But America's problem isn't a breakdown in private morality. It's a breakdown in public morality. What Americans do in their bedrooms is their own business. What corporate executives and Wall Street financiers do in boardrooms and executive suites affects all of us."

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Robert Reich: Why Republicans Aren't Mentioning the Real Cause of Rising Prices at the Gas Pump

Robert Reich: Why Republicans Aren't Mentioning the Real Cause of Rising Prices at the Gas Pump: "Gas prices continue to rise, which is finally giving Republicans an issue. Mitt Romney is demanding the President open up more domestic drilling; the super PAC behind Rick Santorum just released a new ad in Louisiana blasting the President on gas prices; and the GOP is attacking the White House on the Keystone XL Pipeline.

But the rise in gas prices has almost nothing to do with energy policy. It has everything to do with America's continuing failure to adequately regulate Wall Street. But don't hold your breath waiting for Republicans to tell the truth."

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Grim Truth At Toll Group

Grim Truth At Toll Group: "Male co-workers demand she be reinstated immediately; Toll Group’s termination of union-supportive worker reeks of retaliation, discrimination and illegal surveillance LOS ANGELES – An $8.8 billion Australian transportation corporation has escalated its attack on its Latino-American workers by firing a mother of three for stopping to use a McDonald’s restroom during her delivery route."

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Occupy May Seem To Be Receding, But Look Closer : NPR

Occupy May Seem To Be Receding, But Look Closer : NPR: "Occupy May Seem To Be Receding, But Look Closer"

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A Case Study In How Infographics Can Bend The Truth | Co.Design: business + innovation + design

A Case Study In How Infographics Can Bend The Truth | Co.Design: business + innovation + design: "A Case Study In How Infographics Can Bend The Truth"

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This Video Might Keep You Out of Jail: Tips From the ACLU - YouTube

This Video Might Keep You Out of Jail: Tips From the ACLU - YouTube: "This Video Might Keep You Out of Jail: Tips From the ACLU"

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Fanaticism trumps justice in student deportation case - Fabiola Santiago - MiamiHerald.com

Fanaticism trumps justice in student deportation case - Fabiola Santiago - MiamiHerald.com: "Fanaticism trumps justice in student deportation case "

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