Episode Description
Our extreme wealth inequality isn’t just caused by economic exclusion; we are also struggling with the concentration of corporate power. Simply put, most of our money flows directly into the pockets of a few wealthy individuals. This week, Baratunde learns how it’s possible for Amazon to receive one out of every four dollars spent online. He speaks with antitrust reformer Stacy Mitchell who breaks down why concentrated power like this is a threat to our businesses, communities, and democracy.
Guest: Stacy Mitchell Co-Director of Institute for Local Self Reliance
Twitter: @stacyfmitchell
Bio: Stacy Mitchell is Co-Director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and directs its Independent Business Initiative, which partners with a broad range of allies to design and implement policies to reverse corporate concentration and strengthen local enterprise.
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We are grateful to Stacy Mitchell for joining us! Follow her at @stacyfmitchell on Twitter, or find more of her work at ilsr.org.
ACTIONS
PERSONALLY REFLECT
PERSONALLY REFLECT
Why do you shop at Amazon?
Is it the convenience? The prices? Are you a working family and don’t have many other options? Or do you not have access to local shops? Can you seek out alternatives? What would that look like for you? Challenge yourself and find one item that you regularly purchase on Amazon and commit to buying it locally.
BECOME INFORMED
What does the research tell us about Amazon?
In Fall 2020, the House subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative law released a historic investigation into monopolies like Apple, Facebook, Google, and Amazon. The report calls on Congress to restore antitrust laws of the New Deal era and to finally start regulating these companies. Check out The Institute for Local Self Reliance’s summary of the report, The People vs. Amazon, available at bit.ly/peoplevamazon. Bonus points if you then call your representative to tell them you care about this issue.
PUBLICLY PARTICIPATE
Join the fight against monopoly power
To take on monopolies like Amazon we must flex our citizen muscle, not just our consumer muscle! Check out ilsr.org/fighting-monopoly-power to learn ways you can join the fight locally and nationally. If you're a small business owner or entrepreneur, consider joining Small Business Rising, a coalition of independent businesses that are banning together to urge policymakers to take on Amazon.
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How To Citizen with Baratunde is a production of iHeartRadio Podcasts and Dustlight Productions. Our Executive Producers are Baratunde Thurston, Elizabeth Stewart and Misha Euceph. Stephanie Cohn is our Senior Producer and Alie Kilts is our Producer. Kelly Prime is our Editor. Original Music by Andrew Eapen. Valentino Rivera is our Engineer. Sam Paulson is our Apprentice. This episode was produced and sound designed by Stephanie Cohn.
Special thanks to Joelle Smith from iHeartRadio and our community voices Elizabeth Silva, Kim Swann, Mike Fraietta and Michael Cartwright.
Listen to episode | Show Notes And Actions | Transcript | Subscribe
Note: This is a rough transcript generated by underpaid robots. It will be updated over time.