Saving Democracy is Up to Citizen Activists

It’s the largest corporate fine in American history — $13 billion. That’s the amount JPMorgan Chase will reportedly pay to settle civil charges around its alleged manipulation of mortgage securities — a series of shady business deals that five years ago crippled homeowners and helped trigger the meltdown that threatened the world’s economy. And that’s just the tip of a REALLY big iceberg. What does the settlement tell us about the corruption of American capitalism? This week on Moyers & Company Bill Moyers poses that question to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gretchen Morgenson, a columnist for The New York Times. Bill also speaks to historian and author Peter Dreier who sees the current political crisis as fraught with possibility for progressives in America — and shares the reasons he continues to be optimistic, including dynamic grass-roots initiatives around the country and, believe it or not, the radical politics of Dr. Seuss.