Robert Reich: When we give up on democracy, the 1 percent ‘run everything and they get everything’

Former United States Secretary of Labor Robert Reich produced a short “2014 Year in Review” video in which he reminded progressives of just how quickly change can occur — so long as they participate in the democratic process. “As we head into 2015, it’s important to remember how quickly progressive change that seems radical — if not a pipe-dream — at one point in time, becomes feasible if enough people make a ruckus,” he began. “A few years ago, no one thought that by now 35 states would have supported equal marriage rites,” Reich continued. “Or that a $15 minimum wage would be implemented in some parts of the country and be gaining ground elsewhere. Or that the Keystone XL pipeline would have been stopped — so far.” “After a tipping point” of sustained protests by activists, “politicians are willing to say that their thinking has ‘evolved’ on an issue, and they’re willing to take a stand… Read more…