America's Income Inequality Crisis: How Did We Get Here?

Move over, first class passengers on the Titanic! America has a new class of doomed elites! Extreme income inequality threatens our democracy and the security of the world, but unions are fighting back, showing our path forward for the safety of everyone.

C.E.O.s and billionaires celebrate record-breaking profits, but for everyday workers, wages have remained stagnant, not keeping pace with the rising cost of living. The result? The American Dream is increasingly resembling a Neoliberal Ponzi Scheme, where the promise of prosperity seems to be reserved for nepo-babies.

Beyond the obvious moral implications, income inequality has profound consequences for our society. It undermines trust in institutions, worsens political instability, and contributes to declining life expectancy—a stark reality in America today. When the rich get richer and the rest of us get left behind, it doesn't just create social rifts; it destabilizes the United States, and therefore the world.

How do we overcome this crisis? The renaissance of unions will strengthen our economy for all and protect our democracy. This week's guest Michael Podhorzer has been on the frontlines of this fight for decades, as the former longtime political director of the AFL-CIO – the largest federation of unions in the United States. Podhorzer is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, the chair of the Analyst Institute, the Research Collaborative and the Defend Democracy Project, and writes the Substack Weekend Reading.

A 2021 TIME article described Podhorzer as the architect of a broad movement that helped protect the integrity of our vote in the 2020 election. This week's bonus show, available to subscribers at the Truth-teller level ($5/month) and higher, includes Podhorzer's insights on how to protect the 2024 election, in an excerpt available to all. Exclusive to our Patreon supporters, this week's bonus show also includes a deep-dive examination of the recent arrest of Telegram's C.E.O. Pavel Durov and what that might mean for Russia's global war on democracy. Subscribe today at Patreon.com/Gaslit to help support our independent journalism!

*

Big Announcement! If the election cycle has left you feeling overwhelmed, we're here to help. Join our new weekly political salon every Monday at 4 PM ET via Zoom. This space is designed for you to vent, ask questions, seek support, and contribute to discussions that shape Gaslit Nation. Everyone is welcome—our goal is to foster coalition-building and collective healing.

Starting next Monday, our first ever salon will be recorded and shared on Patreon to support our community. If these sessions resonate with you, they may continue beyond the election. To join, support us at the Truth-teller level or higher on Patreon at patreon.com/Gaslit where you'll find the Zoom link every Monday afternoon.

On September 10th: Join the Gaslit Nation Debate Watch Party in the "Victory Chat" community chatroom on Patreon. A debate between democracy vs. dictatorship! (Convicted felon Trump belongs in prison, not a debate stage).

On September 16 at 7:00 PM ET: If you're in NYC, join our in-person live taping with at the Ukrainian Institute of America in NYC. Celebrate the release of In the Shadow of Stalin, the graphic novel adaptation of my film Mr. Jones, directed by Agnieszka Holland. Gaslit Nation Patreon supporters get in free – so message us on Patreon to be added to the guest list. I will be joined by the journalist Terrell Starr, to talk about his latest trip to Ukraine.

On September 17 at 12:00 PM ET: Join our virtual live taping with investigative journalist Stephanie Baker, author of Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia. Her book has been highly praised by Bill Browder, the advocate behind the Magnitsky Act to combat Russian corruption.

On September 18 at 4:00 PM ET: Join our virtual live taping with the one and only Politics Girl, Leigh McGowan, author of A Return to Common Sense: How to Fix America Before We Really Blow It.

On September 24 at 12:00 PM ET: Join our virtual live taping with David Pepper, author of Saving Democracy. Join us as David discusses his new art project based on Project 2025.

All of those events, becoming a member of our Victory chat, bonus shows, all shows ad free, and more, come with your subscription on Patreon.com/Gaslit! Thank you to everyone who supports the show – we could not make Gaslit Nation without you!

Show Notes:

Opening clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckxmXjRuBik

As Go Unions, So Goes America Power concedes nothing but to collective action. https://www.weekendreading.net/p/as-go-unions-so-goes-america

Listen to our interview with Starbucks union organizer Jasmine Leli on how to start a union https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2023/11/08/end-human-sacrifice-union-jasmine-leli