In less than 90 years, we’ve gone from “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” to “the only thing we have is fear itself.” FDR’s first inaugural address, in 1933 at the depth of the Great Depression, contained one of the all-time great lines in American history. Trump’s inaugural address contained one…
Category: FranklinDelanoRoosevelt
FDR's words of resolve: 'We are now in this war. We are all in it–all the way'
If you need a break from the current American confusion, fear and loathing surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic, let me suggest as an antidote reading President Roosevelt’s December 9, 1941 “fireside chat” radio broadcast to the nation. At a time of far greater peril than we face today, FDR delivered a message of inspiration, courage and steely…
musings on various topics
at the close of the 2nd of a 3 day break from teaching. It is hard not to be angry and even worse at what is happening right now in Northern Syria. As I told my students, the current occupant of the Oval Office broke no laws in the decisions he made — that is,…
Republicans Have Done Political and Economic Sabotage Before.
I was reminded of how Republicans in the past have engaged in political and economic sabotage to stop progressive policies. The Huffington Post has an interview with historian David Rauchway on his latest book about President Hoover’s attempts to sabotage FDRs New Deal. And I remember reading about Hoover’s attempts at political and economic sabotage…
What the GOP learned when the wealthy tried to overthrow FDR and install a fascist dictator
In 1933, a group of very wealthy bankers on Wall Street were mortified with FDR. He gave government jobs to many unemployed, ended the gold standard, and was planning on enacting a slew of government programs that would constitute the “New Deal”. Workers would be given the right to unionize, infrastructure projects would be established,…
