It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism

1. Billionaires should not exist: American oligarchy undermines democracy

The very existence of billionaires is not just about who has the money and who doesn't. It is also a manifestation of a corrupt political system, in which immense power over the lives of the great mass of Americans is concentrated in the hands of a small number of people who—through campaign finance arrangements that can only be described as legalized bribery—buy control of our elections and the policies that extend from them.

Extreme wealth concentration undermines democracy and perpetuates inequality. The top 0.1% of Americans own more wealth than the bottom 90%, giving them disproportionate political influence. This oligarchy:

• Shapes policies to benefit themselves at the expense of working people
• Funds political campaigns to maintain their power and influence
• Controls major media outlets, shaping public discourse

Progressive solutions to address this imbalance include:

• Implementing a wealth tax on extreme fortunes
• Overturning Citizens United to limit money in politics
• Breaking up media monopolies to diversify information sources
• Strengthening antitrust laws to prevent excessive corporate power

By tackling the root causes of inequality and concentrated power, we can create a more equitable and democratic society that works for all Americans, not just the wealthy few.

2. The healthcare system prioritizes profits over people's well-being

In America, we spend almost twice as much per capita on health care as the people of any other country, over $12,530 each year for every man, woman, and child—a total of $4 trillion, or about 20 percent of our GDP. This is an astronomical expenditure, and it continues to rapidly increase and devour the resources of individuals, families, businesses, and government at an unsustainable rate.

The current system is fundamentally flawed, prioritizing profits over patient care. Despite high spending, the U.S. lags behind other developed nations in health outcomes:

• 85 million Americans are uninsured or underinsured
• 60,000 people die annually due to lack of access to care
• Medical bills are the leading cause of personal bankruptcy

Medicare for All would transform healthcare by:

• Providing comprehensive coverage to all Americans
• Eliminating out-of-pocket expenses and medical debt
• Negotiating lower drug prices
• Focusing on preventive care and overall well-being

This system would not only improve health outcomes but also reduce overall costs by eliminating the inefficiencies and profit-seeking behavior of the current insurance-based model. It would treat healthcare as a human right, not a privilege based on ability to pay.

3. Strengthen unions to empower workers and combat inequality

In Denmark, where 67 percent of workers are unionized, McDonald's employees make more than $20 an hour and, if they are over twenty, the company starts paying into a pension plan for them. They, like all other workers in Denmark, enjoy six weeks of paid vacation each year—and, of course, they're covered by the country's robust and high-quality national health care plan.

Strong unions are essential for protecting workers' rights and ensuring fair compensation. However, union membership in the U.S. has declined dramatically, contributing to wage stagnation and increased inequality. To revitalize the labor movement:

• Remove barriers to unionization, such as "right-to-work" laws
• Strengthen penalties for companies that violate labor laws
• Expand collective bargaining rights to more workers
• Implement policies that encourage union formation

Benefits of stronger unions include:

• Higher wages and better benefits for workers
• Improved workplace safety standards
• Greater job security and protections against unfair dismissal
• A stronger political voice for working-class interests

By empowering workers through collective action, we can create a more balanced economy that benefits all Americans, not just those at the top.

4. Technological progress must benefit workers, not just the wealthy

We have seen a great deal of automation over the past sixty years, and what we have seen is just the tip of the iceberg. Artificial intelligence and automation will impact every aspect of society, and every form of work in this country and around the world. Yet, despite all the promises that this will be for the good, the trajectory we are on is not encouraging.

Technological advancements have the potential to dramatically improve our lives, but current trends suggest they may exacerbate inequality. To ensure that progress benefits all:

1. Implement policies to protect and retrain displaced workers
2. Explore shorter workweeks to distribute available work more evenly
3. Consider universal basic income to provide economic security
4. Invest in education and skills training for the jobs of the future

Worker-centric approaches to technological change:

• Give workers a voice in implementing new technologies
• Ensure that productivity gains are shared with employees
• Prioritize technologies that enhance rather than replace human labor
• Develop strong social safety nets to support those affected by disruption

By proactively addressing the challenges posed by automation and AI, we can harness technological progress to create a more prosperous and equitable society for all.

5. Education should foster critical thinking, not create cogs in the machine

If we want to extend the lives of Americans, and to ensure that the quality of those lives is improved, it is a moral imperative that we create a universal, high-quality, and cost-effective health care system. Everyone, regardless of income, should have access to the medical treatment they need, as a human right.

Education reform is crucial for preparing citizens to participate in a democratic society and adapt to a rapidly changing world. Key principles for improvement include:

• Focusing on critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Reducing emphasis on standardized testing
• Providing equal funding and resources to all schools
• Offering free public education from pre-K through college

Lessons from Finland's success:

• High respect and autonomy for teachers
• Emphasis on play and creativity in early education
• Later start to formal schooling (age 7)
• No standardized testing until late in secondary school
• Focus on equity and providing support where needed

By reimagining education as a tool for empowerment rather than conformity, we can create a system that produces engaged citizens capable of addressing the complex challenges of the 21st century.

6. Corporate media's profit motive undermines democracy and informed debate

Today, roughly 90 percent of all U.S. media is controlled by eight major media conglomerates—Comcast, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix, CBS, Facebook, Fox News, and Hearst—and that concentration of ownership has become tighter and tighter over the years as a result of multibillion-dollar media mergers and acquisitions.

Media consolidation has led to a narrow range of perspectives in mainstream news and entertainment. This concentration of power:

• Limits diverse voices and viewpoints
• Prioritizes profit over public interest
• Neglects local news and investigative journalism
• Focuses on sensationalism rather than substantive issues

Solutions to democratize media:

1. Break up media monopolies through antitrust action
2. Increase funding for public broadcasting and community media
3. Implement policies to promote diverse ownership of media outlets
4. Support nonprofit and worker-owned media models

By diversifying media ownership and prioritizing public interest journalism, we can create a more informed and engaged citizenry capable of holding power to account and participating meaningfully in democracy.

7. A political revolution is needed to transform America's corrupt system

Real politics is about knowing our history, and recognizing its power as an organizing tool. Every new generation of Americans must be reminded of the great battles for transformational change that have been fought and won, and will continue to be won, against overwhelming odds.

Systemic change is necessary to address the deep-rooted problems in American society. This requires:

• Building a grassroots movement of engaged citizens
• Electing progressive candidates at all levels of government
• Implementing bold policies to address inequality and injustice
• Challenging the power of corporate interests in politics

Key elements of a political revolution:

1. Campaign finance reform to reduce the influence of money in politics
2. Strengthening voting rights and expanding democratic participation
3. Implementing progressive taxation and redistributive economic policies
4. Addressing climate change through a Green New Deal
5. Guaranteeing healthcare, education, and a living wage as basic rights

By mobilizing a diverse coalition of Americans around a vision of a more just and equitable society, we can overcome the entrenched interests that have long dominated our political system and create real, transformative change for all.

Last updated: October 24, 2024