"What Republicans want to preserve isn't freedom, it's powe," writes Reich. "The power to impose their narrow ideology on everyone else, no matter who suffers." (Image: Inequality Media)
May 11, 2022
Republicans love to claim they're the party of freedom. Bulls**t.
In reality, the Republican agenda centers on taking away freedom.
They're chipping away your freedom to choose when, how, and with whom you start a family by passing ever more restrictive abortion bans.
They're chipping away the freedom to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom.
Many are chipping away the freedom of trans people to receive life-saving, gender-affirming care.
Many are chipping away students' freedom to learn about America's history of racism and discrimination.
They're also chipping away at the most fundamental freedom of all: the right to vote - restricting everything from mail-in voting to ballot dropboxes.
But their chipping away at freedom is even bigger than all this.
Can you really be free if you're saddled with medical debt and have to routinely pay outrageous health care costs?
Can you really be free if you have no voice in your workplace and your employer refuses to let you organize with your coworkers for the right to collectively bargain?
Can you really be free if you're not paid a living wage and have to choose between feeding your family or keeping your lights on?
A living wage, the right to join a union, guaranteed healthcare, the right to vote - these are the foundations of real freedom.
Yet Republicans oppose all of these.
There's a reason the historic 1963 rally was called The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Because freedom also means the ability to work in a job that pays enough to provide food, clothing, shelter, and medical care.
What Republicans want to preserve isn't freedom, it's power. The power to impose their narrow ideology on everyone else, no matter who suffers. Don't let their propaganda convince you otherwise.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
© 2021 robertreich.substack.com
Robert Reich
Robert Reich, is the Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and a senior fellow at the Blum Center for Developing Economies. He served as secretary of labor in the Clinton administration, for which Time magazine named him one of the 10 most effective cabinet secretaries of the twentieth century. His book include: "Aftershock" (2011), "The Work of Nations" (1992), "Beyond Outrage" (2012) and, "Saving Capitalism" (2016). He is also a founding editor of The American Prospect magazine, former chairman of Common Cause, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and co-creator of the award-winning documentary, "Inequality For All." Reich's newest book is "The Common Good" (2019). He's co-creator of the Netflix original documentary "Saving Capitalism," which is streaming now.
Republicans love to claim they're the party of freedom. Bulls**t.
In reality, the Republican agenda centers on taking away freedom.
They're chipping away your freedom to choose when, how, and with whom you start a family by passing ever more restrictive abortion bans.
They're chipping away the freedom to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom.
Many are chipping away the freedom of trans people to receive life-saving, gender-affirming care.
Many are chipping away students' freedom to learn about America's history of racism and discrimination.
They're also chipping away at the most fundamental freedom of all: the right to vote - restricting everything from mail-in voting to ballot dropboxes.
But their chipping away at freedom is even bigger than all this.
Can you really be free if you're saddled with medical debt and have to routinely pay outrageous health care costs?
Can you really be free if you have no voice in your workplace and your employer refuses to let you organize with your coworkers for the right to collectively bargain?
Can you really be free if you're not paid a living wage and have to choose between feeding your family or keeping your lights on?
A living wage, the right to join a union, guaranteed healthcare, the right to vote - these are the foundations of real freedom.
Yet Republicans oppose all of these.
There's a reason the historic 1963 rally was called The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Because freedom also means the ability to work in a job that pays enough to provide food, clothing, shelter, and medical care.
What Republicans want to preserve isn't freedom, it's power. The power to impose their narrow ideology on everyone else, no matter who suffers. Don't let their propaganda convince you otherwise.
Robert Reich
Robert Reich, is the Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and a senior fellow at the Blum Center for Developing Economies. He served as secretary of labor in the Clinton administration, for which Time magazine named him one of the 10 most effective cabinet secretaries of the twentieth century. His book include: "Aftershock" (2011), "The Work of Nations" (1992), "Beyond Outrage" (2012) and, "Saving Capitalism" (2016). He is also a founding editor of The American Prospect magazine, former chairman of Common Cause, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and co-creator of the award-winning documentary, "Inequality For All." Reich's newest book is "The Common Good" (2019). He's co-creator of the Netflix original documentary "Saving Capitalism," which is streaming now.
Republicans love to claim they're the party of freedom. Bulls**t.
In reality, the Republican agenda centers on taking away freedom.
They're chipping away your freedom to choose when, how, and with whom you start a family by passing ever more restrictive abortion bans.
They're chipping away the freedom to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom.
Many are chipping away the freedom of trans people to receive life-saving, gender-affirming care.
Many are chipping away students' freedom to learn about America's history of racism and discrimination.
They're also chipping away at the most fundamental freedom of all: the right to vote - restricting everything from mail-in voting to ballot dropboxes.
But their chipping away at freedom is even bigger than all this.
Can you really be free if you're saddled with medical debt and have to routinely pay outrageous health care costs?
Can you really be free if you have no voice in your workplace and your employer refuses to let you organize with your coworkers for the right to collectively bargain?
Can you really be free if you're not paid a living wage and have to choose between feeding your family or keeping your lights on?
A living wage, the right to join a union, guaranteed healthcare, the right to vote - these are the foundations of real freedom.
Yet Republicans oppose all of these.
There's a reason the historic 1963 rally was called The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Because freedom also means the ability to work in a job that pays enough to provide food, clothing, shelter, and medical care.
What Republicans want to preserve isn't freedom, it's power. The power to impose their narrow ideology on everyone else, no matter who suffers. Don't let their propaganda convince you otherwise.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.