JFK speech to Chamber of Commerce: How many Dems would have courage to say this today?

[yurbud]

How many would even want to? Or like Republicans, would they be thinking of which corporations in the room would offer them seats on their boards or as lobbyists when they leave office?

I realize that there are some businessmen who feel only they want to be left alone, that Government and politics are none of their affairs, that the balance sheet and profit rate of their own corporation are of more importance than the worldwide balance of power or the Nationwide rate of unemployment. But I hope it is not rushing the season to recall to you the passage from Dickens' "Christmas Carol" in which Ebenezer Scrooge is terrified by the ghosts of his former partner, Jacob Marley, and Scrooge, appalled by Marley's story of ceaseless wandering, cries out, "But you were always a good man of business, Jacob." And the ghost of Marley, his legs bound by a chain of ledger books and cash boxes, replied, "Business? Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business. Charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"

Members and guests of the Florida State Chamber of Commerce, whether we work in the White House or the State House or in a house of industry or commerce, mankind is our business. And if we work in harmony, if we understand the problems of each other and the responsibilities that each of us bears, then surely the business of mankind will prosper. And your children and mine will move ahead in a securer world, and one in which there is opportunity for them all.



Florida Chamber of Commerce, November 18th, 1963

http://mparent7777-2.blogspot.com/2007/09/jfk-quotes-you-probably-havent-heard.html

[redqueen]

1. "And if we work in harmony, ... then surely mankind will prosper.

"And your children and mine will move ahead in a securer world, and one in which there is opportunity for them all."

What kinda moonbeam crazypants talk is that?

[Rainbowreflect]

4. Kinda reminds me of the way many speak of Dennis!

;)

[redqueen]

5. Hehehehe... yeah, too bad he's short & funny lookin...

if only we was tall and had those salesman looks, and had better PR, maybe we could get more of that crazy talk in DC. :hi:

[zeemike]

2. That is heresy in todays world n/t

[candymarl]

3. JFK

Obviously a communist sympathizer.