When FDR was elected the United States was already at the height of the Great Depression. There was no chance to avert anything. The responsibility fell on the man who WAS in office, Herbert Hoover. A quarter of the workforce was unemployed. Farmers were in deep trouble as prices fell by 60%. Industrial production had fallen by more than half since 1929. Two million were homeless. Due to the lack of employment, organized crime and outlaws were on the rise. Where was Herbert Hoover and the congress during these times? I fail to understand how Roosevelt could be blamed for not instituting programs that Hoover could have implemented himself, but failed to do. After all Hoover WAS the President during that time, not FDR. Obama could continue Bush's policies, but carry them out himself before election? Hardly. Work with Bush? Sure. As a senator he had the ability to do so. However FDR was not a member of congress when elected, so he was unable to even play that role. Hoover was a walking disaster. This is the same man who led what turned out to a death march against United States soldiers who came to DC to get back pay. His economc policies were even worse. If anyone "sat" it was Hoover. If anyone had to answer for what occured on Hoover's watch, it was the man himself.
FDR's first 100 days were like nothing this country has ever seen before or since. By the evening of March 4, 32, when FDR took office. of the 48 states, as well as the District of Columbia had closed their banks. The New York Federal Reserve Bank was unable to open on the 5th, as huge sums had been withdrawn by panicky customers in previous days. Beginning with his inauguration address, Roosevelt began blaming the economic crisis on bankers and financiers, the quest for profit, and the self-interest basis of capitalism.
Roosevelt's "First 100 Days" concentrated on the first part of his strategy: immediate relief.
"From March 9 to June 16, 1933, he sent Congress a record number of bills, all of which passed easily.
His inauguration on March 4, 1933 occurred in the middle of a bank panic, hence the backdrop for his famous words: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." The very next day Congress passed the Emergency Banking Act which declared a "bank holiday" and announced a plan to allow banks to reopen. However, the number of banks that opened their doors after the "holiday" was fewer than the number that had been open before. This was his first proposed step to recovery. To give Americans confidence in the banks, Roosevelt signed the Glass-Steagall Act that created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)."
"Relief measures included the continuation of Hoover's major relief program for the unemployed under the new name, Federal Emergency Relief Administration. The most popular of all New Deal agencies, and Roosevelt's favorite, was the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which hired 250,000 unemployed young men to work on rural local projects. Congress also gave the Federal Trade Commission broad new regulatory powers and provided mortgage relief to millions of farmers and homeowners. Roosevelt expanded a Hoover agency, the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, making it a major source of financing to railroads and industry. Roosevelt made agriculture relief a high priority and set up the first Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA). The AAA tried to force higher prices for commodities by paying farmers to take land out of crops and to cut herds. "
"Reform of the economy was the goal of the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) of 1933. It tried to end cutthroat competition by forcing industries to come up with codes that established the rules of operation for all firms within specific industries, such as minimum prices, agreements not to compete, and production restrictions. Industry leaders negotiated the codes which were then approved by NIRA officials. Industry needed to raise wages as a condition for approval. Provisions encouraged unions and suspended anti-trust laws. The NIRA was found to be unconstitutional by unanimous decision of the U.S. Supreme Court on May 27, 1935. Roosevelt opposed the decision, saying "The fundamental purposes and principles of the NIRA are sound. To abandon them is unthinkable. It would spell the return to industrial and labor chaos."<50> In 1933, major new banking regulations were passed. In 1934, the Securities and Exchange Commission was created to regulate Wall Street, with 1932 campaign fundraiser Joseph P. Kennedy in charge. "
"Recovery was pursued through "pump-priming" (that is, federal spending). The NIRA included $3.3 billion of spending through the Public Works Administration to stimulate the economy, which was to be handled by Interior Secretary Harold Ickes. Roosevelt worked with Republican Senator George Norris to create the largest government-owned industrial enterprise in American history, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which built dams and power stations, controlled floods, and modernized agriculture and home conditions in the poverty-stricken Tennessee Valley. The repeal of prohibition also brought in new tax revenues and helped him keep a major campaign promise."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_D._Roosevelt#cite_note-safehaven2-53In addition to walking into a Depression, he led this country through the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, and a World War. While I like President Obama very much, he didn't and hopefully never does, have this much on his plate to deal with.
While I think FDR's internment of the Japanese was wrong, we still abide by the Patriot Act, illegal wiretapping,etc and now the order to kill an American on foreign soil, without benefit of trial, because we think (like we did about Iraq having WMD's?) he may have terrorist dealings. Some people will tell you desperate times require desperate measures, but that's an argument for another day.
Sorry but I don't see giving credit were it is due and comparing it to "sentimentalization". While FDR wasn't perfect, I have yet to meet one person who is, let alone any President. But this was a man who had the love and trust of his countrymen enough to be elected 4 times to office. Who led them succesfully through some of the worst times this country has ever seen. Not to mention living with a disability he had to deal with every day of his life.
I think it so sad that a President who accomplished so much good for this country, gets barely a nod on DU, while Republicans still hawk Reagan as the "greatest" and I can't think of one damn thing he ever did that helped anyone but his rich buddies. To give praise to FDR, doesn't take away from any Democratic president, present or former. And yet Democrats always seem so stingy when it comes to give him any praise. Republicans just the opposite, they all want to be Reagan. Hell they would dig him up and give him a seat at a GOP convention, if they could. But FDR? Democrats rarely bring his name up. And yet he had so many more accomplishments and successes then Reagan could have ever hoped for. I'd also rather use someone like Elenaor Roosevelt as a role model for young women, than Nancy Reagan.
Just makes me sad.
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(246 posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
