Inequality for All

The economics seem sound and provides explanation why the middle class financial health is the key to a successful economy and solid democracy.

Former Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich, explains this argument in understandable terms. Using testimony from the really rich Americans, including Warren Buffet, to everyday middle class Americans struggling to maintain their quality of life.

The loss of one star is due to the web site promoting a clearly liberal agenda.

The documentary itself has no political message which motivated me to go to the web site to take action. But, alas, when the web site had nothing but political elements, it turned me off.

I just caught this film at the 56th San Francisco International Film Festival, and I'm glad I did, because the film was one of the most informative and, quite frankly, entertaining documentaries I've seen via the Festival, and most of the credit for that goes directly to the film's "star" Robert Reich.

Reich is a charming and personable individual who is obviously passionate about the sorry economic state of the middle class. He presents facts and reviews history (assisted through some terrific graphics) to make his case that a strong middle class is the bulwark upon which a thriving upper class must balance. Most importantly, this middle class is made weaker by the disparity in incomes and by a tax system that seems to reward "job creators" who don't really create a single damn job or, at best, create jobs overseas.

The issues are pretty damn complex, but Reich and Kornbluth do an excellent job of laying out their interpretations in a simple, forthright manner.

At the Q&A following the film, I asked Kornbluth and Reich if they felt any need to "balance" the film with alternate economic takes on the same facts. The film trots out the usual cartoonish Fox News critics, but I wondered if they thought about heading off the sure-to-come criticism that the film is too one-sided and doesn't present any intelligent alternate viewpoints. While Reich just shook his head "no" (one gets the impression he feels he isn't wrong so why bother,) Kornbluth responded that questions like mine ticked him off, as "there always doesn't have to be two sides to a story." He compared it to the issue of evolution and "intelligent design". Just as intelligent design's complete lack of factual basis has no business in a documentary about evolution, he felt the economic facts presented are facts and they were presented accurately in his film.

This film is a terrific pairing of a passionate filmmaker with a passionate advocate for the working class of this nation. Recommended viewing for anyone with a stake in our country's economic survival - regardless of political affiliation. That means everyone. That means you.

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I consider myself well informed about what's happening in our economy here in the United States, so I didn't expect to learn much.

Wow! Was I surprised! This move is a "must see" and should be required viewing for all, especially high school and college students.

Anyone who cares about this country, and who wants to change things must see this movie to truly understand what is needed.

Robert Reich has a rich way presenting information so that even those of us who find economics difficult can follow what's happened in the United States.

With easy to read graphs and entertaining narration, Robert shows us exactly what went wrong, and exactly what is needed to fix it.

I think Reich and Co. did a nice job of not being heavy handed while presenting some of the bleakest trends we're living through in 2013. Unlike a lot of doom and gloom docs, this vital information was presented with a human touch and actually offered some solutions towards a positive outcome.

There's some whimsy and self-deprecating humor throughout this film as well as Reich makes light of his own stature, but it's also very serious in how it pertains to his seemingly life-long struggle against bullies. And that, folks, is what the vast majority of Americans are up against: ideological bullies and wormtongues at Fox News; and a corporate-owned political system run by lobbyists. Reich presents some specific examples of wealth disparity and even gets a multi-millionaire to agree with his overall sentiment.

Super well done.

Of course Robert Reich is mostly preaching to the choir but he also informs and entertains the viewer. Reich is not isolated theory or ivory tower. He served in the administrations of Ford and Carter and was Labor Secretary under Clinton from 1993 to 1997. For me what gives Reich credence is the economic expansion of the 90's- the sustained growth, stronger middle class, low unemployment, low inflation, lower poverty rate and budget surpluses (to name a few) of which Reich was a key driver in economic policy.

This is not a movie for dogmatic right-wingers who will find the facts, um, inconvenient to say the least. They can skip the movie but still write reviews just by calling Reich a bunch of names. For the rest of us, well most of us can see what's happening to the economy but Reich breaks it down in an easy entertaining manner. His story about the first time he met Bubba on a boat to England is pretty funny as well as his jokes about his height. (4'8")

Director Jacob Kornbluth utilizes a cross section of the economy to make his point. Rich investor, middle class upper and lower, and those living day to day and fighting off poverty. Can be a tad dry because this is all pretty much right in front of our collective noses if we care to look. But he needs to make the examples to make the documentary work.

Robert Reich yes might be diminutive in stature, but the knowledge, the energy, the passion, and the inspiration are all sky high.

A very interesting man who lives and fights for his convictions. For me made the documentary worthwhile.