MLK’s final essay was called “We Need an Economic Bill of Rights.” Let that sink in. America’s fight for justice has always included economic rights—from Thomas Paine to Abraham Lincoln to the Civil Rights Movement. buff.ly/tBls6YV

Is "abundance" the answer to our economic woes? Matt Bruenig argues that their focus on reducing administrative burdens overlooks deeper issues of inequality and power. He warns that without tackling inequality, such measures may only benefit the wealthy. buff.ly/5p8MF6L

Seventy million Americans rely on Social Security benefits. washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/…

If you’re penniless, powerless, and stuck in survival mode…You’re not free. The right’s definition of freedom is nothing more than a smokescreen for concentrated power. 🎧 ➡️ buff.ly/IrW1xXU

This week, we’re bringing you into the 2025 Middle Out Economics conference—from Nick’s takedown of Democratic incrementalism to a candid conversation w/ Reps. Khanna, Ramirez, & Himes, the message was clear: Go big or get out of the way. 🎧Listen here: bit.ly/MOConf2025

If you make $50K working two jobs, the IRS knows every penny. If you make $5 million flipping crypto? Congress just made sure no one’s watching. The result? $4 billion in taxes that are still owed—just not paid buff.ly/Cl8Pjow

No 16-year-old should be choosing between algebra homework and an 8-hour school night shift with no break. But Florida lawmakers are pushing a bill to make that legal. This is economic exploitation, not opportunity. buff.ly/sr9oslE

Trump: “Workers should have freedom.” Also, Trump: Strips 750,000+ federal workers of the right to negotiate fair pay and conditions. When billionaires talk about freedom, they mean freedom to exploit you. buff.ly/5YsW5R2

Conservatives love to claim that cutting capital gains taxes grows the economy. But the truth? Capital gains taxes are mostly paid by the top 1%—and cutting them just grows inequality. buff.ly/6OhZHrB

Amazon is suing to declare the Consumer Product Safety Commission unconstitutional. You know—the agency that recalls dangerous cribs, toxic toys, and exploding e-scooters. buff.ly/F6pWl9y

Republicans in Congress want oil companies to pay less taxes. Literally, they’re trying to exempt Big Oil from the corporate minimum tax in the IRA—because nothing says “freedom” like rigging the rules for one of the most profitable industries in America. buff.ly/2W4kJPf

Why can’t America build big things anymore? This week, Nick & Goldy talk with Marc J. Dunkelman about his book, Why Nothing Works—and how well-meaning reforms created a system where everyone has a veto, but no one has the power to say yes. 🎧Listen here ➡️bit.ly/Dunkelman

The federal min wage has been $7.25 since 2009.​ The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 will increase it to $17 by 2030 and eliminate subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers w/ disabilities & youth workers while injecting $70 billion a year into the economy. buff.ly/bz3nP9j

On this week's pod, we explore the two competing forces at the heart of progressivism—one that wants to build big, and one that wants to check power. Check out this clip where Marc J. Dunkelman explains, and listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts!

The gaming industry's first direct-join union is here!​ United Videogame Workers, backed by CWA, empowers hundreds of video game workers across the U.S. & Canada to organize for better healthcare, fair hiring, and an end to exploitative practices.​ buff.ly/gl4ETsi

Progressives once believed the path to progress ran through robust public institutions. But over time, the tools of progress became instruments of exclusion and exploitation—and the backlash created layers of process that now stall even the most essential public projects. ⬇️

➡️ How do we build big things again—without silencing or steamrolling people in the process?

Politicians on the left get punished when government fails—because they're the ones who believe in it. But if Democrats want people to trust public institutions again, they've got to use power effectively, not be paralyzed by fear of past mistakes.

This week, Goldy and Paul are joined by Mike Konczal to discuss the hype around the new “Abundance” book to understand what abundance really means and who actually benefits. More isn’t always better— especially if it’s just for the rich. 🎧Listen here: bit.ly/MKonczal