- 15 Oct 2011 17:17
#13812916
I love manifestoes, and I came across a new one - of sorts - when I went through Roosevelt`s state of the union speech from 1944.
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Therefore, in order to concentrate all our energies and resources on winning the war, and to maintain a fair and stable economy at home, I recommend that the Congress adopt:
(1) A realistic tax law—which will tax all unreasonable profits, both individual and corporate, and reduce the ultimate cost of the war to our sons and daughters. The tax bill now under consideration by the Congress does not begin to meet this test.
(2) A continuation of the law for the renegotiation of war contracts—which will prevent exorbitant profits and assure fair prices to the Government. For two long years I have pleaded with the Congress to take undue profits out of war.
(3) A cost of food law—which will enable the Government (a) to place a reasonable floor under the prices the farmer may expect for his production; and (b) to place a ceiling on the prices a consumer will have to pay for the food he buys. This should apply to necessities only; and will require public funds to carry out. It will cost in appropriations about one percent of the present annual cost of the war.
(4) Early reenactment of. the stabilization statute of October, 1942. This expires June 30, 1944, and if it is not extended well in advance, the country might just as well expect price chaos by summer.
We cannot have stabilization by wishful thinking. We must take positive action to maintain the integrity of the American dollar.
(5) A national service law- which, for the duration of the war, will prevent strikes, and, with certain appropriate exceptions, will make available for war production or for any other essential services every able-bodied adult in this Nation.
These five measures together form a just and equitable whole. I would not recommend a national service law unless the other laws were passed to keep down the cost of living, to share equitably the burdens of taxation, to hold the stabilization line, and to prevent undue profits.
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This stuff is pretty cool.... The whole speech can be found here:
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=16518#axzz1ampdoiSn
My question is: Can Obama in any way be compared to Roosevelt, or is he too right-winged? Roosevelt was a democrat, Obama is a democrat, Obama rules over a America going through a financial crisis, Roosevelt ruled an America that was going through an financial crisis.
Edit: On second though, this post might belong in the North American subsection, since it involves the present as much as it does the past.... But on the other hand, Roosevelt is history, and he ruled before and during WWII - and this speech happened during the war.
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Therefore, in order to concentrate all our energies and resources on winning the war, and to maintain a fair and stable economy at home, I recommend that the Congress adopt:
(1) A realistic tax law—which will tax all unreasonable profits, both individual and corporate, and reduce the ultimate cost of the war to our sons and daughters. The tax bill now under consideration by the Congress does not begin to meet this test.
(2) A continuation of the law for the renegotiation of war contracts—which will prevent exorbitant profits and assure fair prices to the Government. For two long years I have pleaded with the Congress to take undue profits out of war.
(3) A cost of food law—which will enable the Government (a) to place a reasonable floor under the prices the farmer may expect for his production; and (b) to place a ceiling on the prices a consumer will have to pay for the food he buys. This should apply to necessities only; and will require public funds to carry out. It will cost in appropriations about one percent of the present annual cost of the war.
(4) Early reenactment of. the stabilization statute of October, 1942. This expires June 30, 1944, and if it is not extended well in advance, the country might just as well expect price chaos by summer.
We cannot have stabilization by wishful thinking. We must take positive action to maintain the integrity of the American dollar.
(5) A national service law- which, for the duration of the war, will prevent strikes, and, with certain appropriate exceptions, will make available for war production or for any other essential services every able-bodied adult in this Nation.
These five measures together form a just and equitable whole. I would not recommend a national service law unless the other laws were passed to keep down the cost of living, to share equitably the burdens of taxation, to hold the stabilization line, and to prevent undue profits.
------------------------------
This stuff is pretty cool.... The whole speech can be found here:
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=16518#axzz1ampdoiSn
My question is: Can Obama in any way be compared to Roosevelt, or is he too right-winged? Roosevelt was a democrat, Obama is a democrat, Obama rules over a America going through a financial crisis, Roosevelt ruled an America that was going through an financial crisis.
Edit: On second though, this post might belong in the North American subsection, since it involves the present as much as it does the past.... But on the other hand, Roosevelt is history, and he ruled before and during WWII - and this speech happened during the war.
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