Why Robert Reich Thinks He Failed America

In this episode of One Decision, hosts Christina Ruffini and former U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta sit down with Robert Reich, former Labor Secretary under President Bill Clinton, to discuss his new book, Coming Up Short. Reich reflects on how decades of widening inequality, corporate money in politics, and missteps in the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)—along with China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO)—paved the way for Donald Trump’s rise. Reich and Panetta reflect on what both political parties missed, why Washington drifted into dysfunction, and how the coming wave of AI could deepen inequality unless new policies—from national service to profit-sharing—take hold.

Episode produced by Situation Room Studios. Original music composed and produced by Leo Sidran.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices