Robert B. Reich: Staying hopeful in a cynical time: Thoughts for the new year

My friends,

It was quite a year. Some of the regressive forces undermining our democracy, polluting our planet, widening inequality, and stoking hatred were pushed back. This is a worthy accomplishment and cause for celebration. It offers hope that the Trump years are behind us and the hard work of building a decent society can resume.

But this is no time for complacency. No one should assume that the battle has been won. The anti-democracy movement is still fulminating. Trump is still dangerous. Corporate malfeasance continues. The climate