Inequality for All | Documentary Review

by Andrew Bloom
(West Stockbridge, MA, USA)

Inequality for All, a ninety-minute film by Robert Reich, was recently released and is being distributed widely and inexpensively (now available on Netflix).

I went to one of seven hundred “house party” showings across the country the evening of February 27. Following the film there was discussion and a live phone conference with Robert Reich, representatives from Democracy for America, and others.

Robert Reich is an economist who served in the administrations of Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, and as Secretary of Labor in the Clinton Administration. He is currently teaching at U.C. Berkeley. This is a fabulous documentary.

“Bob” has a unique combination of genius, ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms, and a great sense of humor. As revealed in the “bonus” section of the film, the filmmakers tell us that their intention was to make what could be tedious and dry subject matter into an entertaining movie that would captivate the interest of a wide and diverse audience. They definitely achieved this in a big way.

The information and the message contained in this piece are essential to hear and understand for every American concerned about the rapidly accelerating inequality in America and the corresponding loss of our democracy.

My only disappointment in the film is that there was little discussion of the devastating impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission case in 2010. This decision resulted in removing restrictions on corporate contributions to political campaigns and the removal of requirements for political candidates to disclose their funding sources. This opened a floodgate of corporate spending in the subsequent election cycles and allowed for far greater control of our political and legal processes by large corporations. However, it was by design that Bob avoided controversial and polarizing topics and stuck to laying out facts in his uniquely engaging and effective way.

I can’t give enough praise for this film. I purchased two copies to show to as many people as possible, and it has inspired me to bear down harder on my personal efforts to help move our country in the right direction. Please watch this brilliant documentary and share it with as many of your friends and curly-haired relatives as you can pack into your family rooms.

INEQUALITY FOR ALL - Official Trailer