America's Great Divide: Robert Reich Interview | FRONTLINE

Robert Reich is a former U.S. secretary of Labor and the author of many books, most recently Common Good. He is a professor of public policy at the University of California, Berkeley.

Reich's candid, full interview was conducted with FRONTLINE during the making of the two-part January 2020 documentary series “America's Great Divide: From Obama to Trump.”

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This interview is being published as part of FRONTLINE’s Transparency Project, an effort to open up the source material behind our documentaries. Explore the transcript and interactive version of this interview, and others, on the FRONTLINE website:

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[frontline]

This interview was conducted with FRONTLINE during the making of our two-part documentary series “America's Great Divide.”

[rca-in-glasgow]

RR is describing my life history from the last 30 years. Born into poverty, managed through skill and hard work to graduate from RISD with a professional degree, then enjoyed moderate success in life until the Great Recession. Continued to keep my head barely above water after that, at times stocking grocery shelves on the night crew at King Soopers. Then I married a British citizen and had the opportunity to life permanently in Glasgow, Scotland. Now I live in a truly compassionate society, with health care and social services, and a very reasonable cost of living. All of that in a vibrant and beautiful city. I never imagined leaving America until decade after decade it let me down.

[darylwilliams]

It's still unbelievable to me that so many Americans rightfully angry about Oligarchy would double down by voting for the enablers of it. Simply beyond belief.

[buttercrunch]

I have watched all of these long interviews, outstanding every one of them and incredibly illuminating, but Robert Reich, unsurprisingly, manages to incorporate the viewpoints of both sides and bake them together into a comprehensible pie. Extraordinary person, amazing interview. Thank you Frontline.

[CaraDees]

This man is amazing. Listened to all of this 3 times just to be sure... an he's literally saying everything that makes me feel like he understands me. He gets how I feel. He's explained my unrest, my anxiety and my fears. His last words gives some hope. How sad is it that we have to look to our kids to fix our mess.

[Wray]

I found Prof. Reich through my son's Economy class, and I will never regret it. He explains things so well.

[wandaway]

I love the way Robert explains what we observe on a daily basis. He’s so right on.

[CLAldridgeArt]

While I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Robert Reich so perfectly describe how we got into this mess, last minute or so of this video made it SO WORTH the time. Thank You Mr. Reich, for your keen analysis, for your knowledge of economics, but mostly for being a Professor and teaching the next generation. You've done so much to restore my faith in the future today!

[ToeKneeMarlow]

Robert Reich is too damn good!!! I was born in 86 and went through all of this with political parents. This man is like a 3nd grandfather and we should all love him and listen to him as such! Grandpa Rob tells it like it is, nothing but straight truth!! Love always my man!! Labor all the way!!!

[RM-edif]

Best interview I've heard in a long time. Everybody needs to hear this.

[cappie]

When I think of who the most sensible and patriotic Americans are, Mr. Reich is often the first person that comes to mind. Respect and Gratitude, Sir.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[brucecaldwell]

Keeping the have nots mad at each other. George Carlin understood this.

[dianag]

RR, thank you for genuinely caring about others and being a trustworthy leader for younger generations. Frontline, thank you for giving RR voice. A very worthwhile and educational interview. More of this please.

[chrisklaeffling]

Plain and simple: He is clearly an intellectual who knows the facts and is able to explain things in layman terms. Brilliant!

[kimsandbladh]

Excellent conducted interview !
The Professor Robert Reich is raising a lot of important issues that makes for better understanding.
Thank you 🙏

[arminmoloudzadeh]

Mr. Reich confirms with this interview what many have enjoyed about his decent, molecular, surgical historic analysis of our common history. My wish would be to share a conversation with him that would also include a strategic, forward looking application of earned wisdom.

[faithinverity]

You watch the interviewer ask a question. You think to yourself, "No one ever answers that question honestly." Then he answers it honestly and you're shocked.

I'm completely blown away. Reich has elevated himself to hero status.

[marp]

I absolutely love this man ! He explains the problem in a way that makes sense! He is a great teacher. Everyone should see this interview

[postoak]

I'm a longtime fan of Robert Reich. This was an excellent presentation and very informative. Thank you

[Dream-bebe]

I can listen to Robert Reich all day! Thank you posting this interview!