In this episode of Coming from Left Field, we dive into America’s broken elder care system with Judy Karofsky, author of “DisElderly Conduct: The Flawed Business of Assisted Living and Hospice.” We discuss how corporate greed and lack of regulation have turned assisted living into a profit-driven nightmare, where facilities—often run by private equity firms—prioritize cost-cutting over resident dignity. With shocking stories from Judy’s own mother’s ordeal (including wrongful death notices and evictions), the conversation highlights systemic neglect, underpaid staff, and families left powerless.

Our discussion pivots to solutions, from policy reforms (like Biden’s stalled staffing mandates) to grassroots activism. Judy’s book serves as a rallying cry, comparing the crisis to Silent Spring—a wake-up call to demand dignity for the elderly. While the system feels rigged, the episode ends on a note of defiance: by sharing stories, organizing, and pressuring lawmakers, change is possible. This is a raw, urgent look at a crisis affecting us all—because, as Judy warns, “Every one of us will need or provide this care someday.”

Order the book: https://diselderlyconduct.com/

Greg’s Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/

Pat’s Substack: https://patcummings.substack.com/about

#private equity healthcare#elder care crisis#assisted living problems#nursing home abuse# private equity healthcare#elder care costs#aging in America# hospice c#are flaws#Judy Karofsky interview#Diselderly#Conduct book#senior living scams#Medicare assisted living#elder care reform#caregiver burnout#elder rights advocacy#aging parents care#elder care horror stories#VA vs private elder care#Pat Cummings#Greg Godels#ZZ Blog#Coming From Left Field#CFLF#Podcast#zzblog#mltoday

In this podcast, we discuss Greg's article "Obscene Wealth" from MLToday, based on Gabriel Zucman's research on U.S. wealth inequality. Zucman reveals that in 2024, the wealth of the top 0.00001% (19 households) increased by $1 trillion, surpassing Switzerland’s GDP. The top 10% possess 67% of the wealth, while the bottom 50% hold just 3%, leading to economic and political marginalization. The article argues that capitalism inherently concentrates wealth, reinforcing class divisions between capital owners and workers.

A few topics we cover in our conversation include:

• Why wealth inequality is worse than income inequality—and how it strangles democracy.
• The death of the middle class: From thriving factory towns to hollowed-out economies.
• Cold War secrets: How post-WWII prosperity was a fluke (and why it collapsed).
• Why both Democrats & Republicans serve the ultra-rich (hint: lobbyists, gerrymandering, and media control).

• Possible answer: Replacing capitalism with socialism is presented as a viable solution.

Article in MLToday: https://mltoday.com/obscene-wealth/

Greg’s Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/

Pat’s Substack: https://patcummings.substack.com/about

#Obscene Wealth #Wealth Inequality #Billionaires #Late Stage Capitalism #Robber Barons #1Percent #Oligarchy #Marxist Analysis #Rust Belt #Working Class #Leftist Podcast #Economic Justice #Jeff Bezos #Elon Musk #Dark Money#Rust Belt #Democracy In Decline#Leftist Podcast##Pat Cummings#Greg Godels#ZZ Blog#Coming From Left Field#CFLF#Podcast#zzblog#mltoday

In this podcast we discuss Greg’s recent article in MLToday: “Antonio Gramsci: Theirs and Ours.”

Gramsci, an Italian Marxist philosopher, theorized that ruling classes maintain power through cultural hegemony—controlling institutions like media, education, and religion to shape societal norms. Surprisingly, today’s far-right (e.g., Steve Bannon, Christopher Rufo, Marine Le Pen) has weaponized Gramsci’s ideas, using his playbook to dominate politics by attacking "wokeness," reshaping schools, and leveraging media.

Meanwhile, the left has fragmented into identity politics, failing to unite around class struggle or build a counter-hegemonic movement. Gramsci’s lesson is clear: to challenge authoritarianism, progressives must reclaim cultural institutions and prioritize collective working-class solidarity over divisive individualism. The right understands this; the left must relearn it.

Article in MLToday: https://mltoday.com/antonio-gramsci-theirs-and-ours/

Greg’s Blog: http://zzs-blg.blogspot.com/

Pat’s Substack: https://patcummings.substack.com/about

MLToday#Theirs and Ours#Antonio Gramsci#Steve Bannon#Christopher Rufo#Marine Le Pen#Javier Milei#Giorgia Meloni#Mussolini#Lenin#Karl Marx#Eric Hobsbawm#Cultural Hegemony#Marxism-Leninism#Class Struggle#Identity Politics#Manufacturing Consent (Chomsky)#Intersectionality#Critical Race Theory (CRT)#Far-Right Populism#MAGA Movement#Project 2025#Neofascism#Wokeness#Media Propaganda#Left’s Fragmentation#Right’s Cultural Offensive#Liberalism’s Failures#Academic Elitism#Transgender Rights Debate#)#Pat Cummings#Greg Godels#ZZ Blog#Coming FromLeftField#Coming From Left Field#zzblog#mltoday