With more than one million cases and 60,000 dead, the U.S. is the world’s Covid-19 epicenter with an economic, political & health care system unsuited for the unfolding disaster.
There is still plenty that we don’t know about the coronavirus. We don’t know for sure where it came from, how it always behaves, whether you get immunity if you’ve had it ,or how to treat or prevent it.
What we do know is that communities are being devastated around the world. Frontline and essential workers, the elderly and some young are getting sick and dying in alarming numbers. We know that virtually every government in the world was unprepared for this crisis, despite being warned.
Many, such as the United States, preferred to prepare for wars they can’t really fight, against Russia and China, for instance, rather than against a real enemy. Because of governments’ lack of preparedness they’ve had to impose draconian and even authoritarian measures, such as enforced lockdowns and social isolation to rob the virus of hosts—measures that were used during the 14th Century Black Death in Europe.
We also know that these moves are leading to what might well became the Greatest Depression since the Great one of the 1930s. With the disease still raging, nations and regions are itching to get back to a normal economic life, while medical experts warn that might trigger another deadly wave.
Watch the replay of the discussion of this critical situation with Jill Stein, a medical doctor and political leader, the former Green Party candidate for president; and Richard Wolff, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a Visiting Professor in the Graduate Program in International Affairs of the New School University.
Watch it here with your hosts Elizabeth Vos and Joe Lauria:
Terrific show! Illuminating, insightful! Thank you.
There is something that’s get’n as obvious as single payer, and it’s everything that Stein and Vandana Shiva are saying. Right now I am feeling that nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen with just about everything in media save this podcast (and one of Vandana’s recent ones). It’s not just heat; it’s also very small organisms. It’s also BTW a million tons of radioactive water at Fukishima…or is it now no longer there?? Aegis Ashore installations in Europe. And on and on.
Anyway, it’s GREAT to see that Wolff (you’d think a super specialized guy) also sees the point re: this stuff can originate just as easily from lack’o regulation as it can from errors at labs.
I’m feel’n I could vote Green, just cause I’m sick’o media (and I couldn’t have anticipated this reaction). Curious, do some/any Hindus still put the definite article in front of the word “ignorance”?
My great appreciation to Consortium News for providing this discussion with Jill Stein and Richard Wolff.
Along with Pepe Escobar’s most recent article, this discussion makes clear that not only is radical systemic change necessary, if humanity is have any opportunity of avoiding extinction, resulting from environmental catastrophe, nuclear war, or economic barbarity, but also that compelling visions of a different human society that is sane, humane, and sustainable must be developed and shared.
Both Stein and Wolff laid out aspects of what the beginnings of such a vision would look like.
However, the visions which would permit the many to readily imagine, to grasp as possible, necessary, and healthy, to begin to feel as something which would specifically benefit them, their families, and their friends, as well as build trust among people and their capacity to fashion a governmental political-economy which serves the interest of all of society, has yet to be fashioned.
Perhaps, it may be understood that such fashioning must come from the efforts and shared convictions and principles of those who comment at Consortium News and at other sites which encourage the development of a society which values all members of that society and structures itself such that the potential of each and every member of society is valued and encouraged.
This matters not simply because it would be a good thing to do.
Rather, it is because our collective survival and any possibility humanity might yet have of thriving, not as crazed, pathologically greedy and power-hungry individuals competing to dominate, but as whole beings cooperating to sustain our existence on a planet which cannot take any more of our abuse and indifference.
That will, of course, require a respect and reverence for Life far different from the hubris of military empire, or “civilization” perceived as comprised of elite rulers and an oppressed herd.
It will require very different notions of what, really, constitutes “human nature”.
It will require that “work” becomes worthwhile endeavor.
That an “economy” must be judged on how well it treats every member of human society, which has always been “global”, and intimately interconnected to itself and all life forms, from the most minute to the most colossal.
It will require information systems that are “owned” by all, and educational systems designed to be lifelong and practical as well as specific and esoteric, as well as being available to all as a human right.
As must be food, shelter, clothing, healthcare (not “insurance”) and worthwhile endeavor which benefits society as a whole.
Frankly, our society is one which has long been subjected to “learned helplessness”, to assaults upon intellectual development by an educational system designed to elevate the few who will become the ruling class, placate those who will become the managerial class, and denigrate those who will become the “drones” (who many are now coming to realize are actually the “essential” workers) in a deliberately vicious society aptly described by Jill Stein and Richard Wolff, as being in “free fall”.
In fact, as Joe pointed out, at this moment there are but three potential futures (two short and nasty) before us, those who understand the shortcomings of the two failed ones, must dare imagine and advocate for the third, must create visions and narratives of that third so compelling and sensible, so just and desirable, in terms of common sense, that organizing and encouraging the many to embrace the far better option will carry the day.
Otherwise, tomorrow will be iffy at best, and too soon, very nasty and short, as the ruling class seeks whatever “final” solutions may catch on in their Machiavellian circles, and might appeal to the forces that will happily enforce such solutions upon the many.
Frankly, it is likely, in the U$, that no electoral answer will avail the many until after the many have effectively demanded real options, have demonstrated that they will accept nothing less than that their lives are valued and their control of process, from workplace to governance, which may very well require something akin to a new Declaration of Independence (or the actual use of the old one) has been clearly established.
It comes down to not simply a question of our “place”, but of time and how much world (as far as human beings are concerned) is left.
Wow! What a wonderful detailed, and frank discussion. Thank you CN, great show, fantastic hosts. There is no doubt in my mind that the system needs to change completely for a few decades now. In reality I am skeptical that this will happen. Either the neoliberal clique or the fascists will most probably prevail, because there is lot more of them. They won’t let go of the levers of power, and they have control of most of the resources. They won’t let go of those either.
Like Marko, I find the “just the flu” disturbing, and I hit back when I feel combative but the opposition cannot be convinced of the seriousness and the virulence of this virus. This was a great discussion, Dr. Wolff and Dr. Stein were wonderful and I hope this gets widespread play in the social media. Thanks you Consortium News.
Excellent. There’s more intelligence and insight here by far than we’ll see in the entirety of 2020 Election Theater.
Thanks
Dr. Stein is so right about the virus. There is so much we don’t know about it. People w/kids will burn through $1200 in 5 minutes.
The government must nationalize the banks and increase the value of credit/debit cards by $5000 as often as necessary to relieve the pressure to return to work prematurely.
Good to see Richard Wolff on CN Live. If Americans had a choice they would choose the kind of economy he talks about. The lack of free speech on national TV/Radio keeps this anti-democratic capitalist system in place.
Rick Wolff was right when he said that Trump bragging about the ability to run 200k PCR tests per day amounts to an empty boast in a country the size of the US , but Wolff was off on the math. It wouldn’t take merely “months” to test our empire population , it would take over four years.
It was a little distressing to hear Joe sounding concerned about the criticism CN has attracted from the “just the flu” crowd and other Covid denialists. He should instead feel proud that he hasn’t fallen victim to the conspiracy paranoia that seems to have swallowed up many sites and commentators who have at times done some fine work , on many other topics. Specifically , OffGuardian , 21Wire , Corbett Report , etc. , as well as individuals like Cynthia McKinney. Their apparent inability to perceive the obvious , glaring reality of the unusual physical threat posed by this virus has left me no choice but to drop them from my reading lists.
When sites I’ve previously trusted start missing things badly on certain topics – like , for example , Democracy Now over recent years ( Syria , Russiagate , etc. ) – my gut instinct screams “sellout” , because “stupidity” seems an unlikely reason. Not an impossible one , however. Whatever , it doesn’t matter to me. I can’t waste my time reading stuff from people whose analysis I no longer trust , no matter the reason.
This show was absolutely fabulous! Two great minds speaking in concert at a desperate time for our country. Jill brings her medical background and on the ground reality. Richard contributes his economic expertise to analyze our national horror and give some reasonable guidance to those of use who are not paralyzed or unable to respond. The pandemic has been a serious blow to our country and the people, no thanks to the political leaders in power. Voting alone won’t get us out of the ditch. We the people have to respond with our own power. Capitalism is in its death throes.
wsws.org
Brilliant both Dr. Stein and Dr. Wolf. Thanks
Just sent out to Green Rainbow Party membership in Massachusetts. Timely response with two great minds.
Thanks for your continuing efforts.
Thanks CN for having these two wonderful people on. I’ve shared to the Green Party US Facebook page. Getting a lot of likes. Should be a lot of people from the Green Party tuning in.
Thank you Lois.