Alternative Visions

Alternative Visions - Covid Recession Year One: Who Gained, Who Lost?


Listen Later

Topic of today’s show is who has gained in income terms over the first full year of the Covid induced US recession. Dr. Rasmus looks at the period, 2nd quarter (April-June) 2020, when the US economy crashed and compares it to most recent quarterly data in 2021 for April-June this year. Those receiving capital incomes and corporations registered record gains: billionaires in US increased their wealth by more than $1 trillion, stock investors enjoyed record levels of price gains, and Fortune 500 corporations recorded record revenue gains of 24.7% over the past year. On the negative side, workers’ wages in net terms fell as more than 35 million were jobless at some point during 2020 and hours of work were cut drastically for many still with jobs. Meanwhile, CEO pay rose 18.9%. Small businesses also did poorly, even as more than $1 trillion in loans and grants were distributed. Nearly 1 million small businesses failed nonetheless and millions more suffered significant income losses despite receiving partial loans. Dr. Rasmus addresses losses experienced by renters as $70 billion or more of forbearance (suspended) is yet to be paid, while landlords continue to block distribution of $47 billion in rental assistance payments. The role of the US Supreme Court in preventing the evictions moratorium is discussed. Student loan forbearance is added to wages, jobs, and renters as those who have not gained over the past year. In short, wage incomes, small businesses, and transfer payment recipients have lost, while investors, big corporations and bankers have gained most.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Alternative VisionsBy Progressive Radio Network

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

25 ratings


More shows like Alternative Visions

View all
CounterSpin by Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting

CounterSpin

493 Listeners

KunstlerCast - Conversations: Converging Catastrophes of the 21st Century by James Howard Kunstler & Duncan Crary

KunstlerCast - Conversations: Converging Catastrophes of the 21st Century

439 Listeners

Ralph Nader Radio Hour by Ralph Nader

Ralph Nader Radio Hour

1,198 Listeners

Background Briefing with Ian Masters by Ian Masters

Background Briefing with Ian Masters

615 Listeners

The Corbett Report Podcast by The Corbett Report

The Corbett Report Podcast

914 Listeners

Geopolitics & Empire by Geopolitics & Empire

Geopolitics & Empire

485 Listeners

Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff by Democracy at Work - Richard D. Wolff

Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff

1,965 Listeners

Scheer Intelligence by Scheerpost

Scheer Intelligence

391 Listeners

The Duran Podcast by The Duran

The Duran Podcast

601 Listeners

Useful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron Maté by Useful Idiots, LLC

Useful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron Maté

4,424 Listeners

Judging Freedom by Judge Napolitano

Judging Freedom

851 Listeners

Geopolitical Economy Report by Ben Norton

Geopolitical Economy Report

292 Listeners

System Update with Glenn Greenwald by Rumble

System Update with Glenn Greenwald

1,140 Listeners

The Chris Hedges Report by Chris Hedges

The Chris Hedges Report

259 Listeners

Daniel Davis Deep Dive by Daniel Davis

Daniel Davis Deep Dive

49 Listeners