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Forum Post: FDR 1936 Campaign Speech

Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 29, 2011, 12:54 p.m. EST by progressive (3)
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Excerpt from FDR's 1936 Campaign Speech in Madison Square Garden.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjSTQwamo8M

How great would it be to have leadership like this again. Funny how history repeats itself...

"For nearly four years you have had an Administration which instead of twirling its thumbs has rolled up its sleeves. We will keep our sleeves rolled up.

We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace—business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering.

They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob.

Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me—and I welcome their hatred.

I should like to have it said of my first Administration that in it the forces of selfishness and of lust for power met their match. I should like to have it said of my second Administration that in it these forces met their master."

5 Comments

5 Comments


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[-] 1 points by RufusJFisk52 (259) 12 years ago

FDR destroyed the constitution, stole everyones gold, imprisoned innocent japanese citizens, immorally influenced the decisions of the supreme court, possibly did whatever necessary to get japan to strike the us first so we could go to war. FDR did whatever he wanted, good or bad, by spitting on the constitution....i for one cannot love anyone who has done the same; ie bush, reagan, obama, lincoln

[-] 1 points by looselyhuman (3117) 12 years ago

If only we had a candidate like this. I weep for my country.

[-] -1 points by newearthorder (295) 12 years ago

Even better, have you seen FDR's Second Bill of rights?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3pzwqSiorY&feature=related

It is our duty now to begin to lay the plans and determine the strategy for the winning of a lasting peace and the establishment of an American standard of living higher than ever before known. We cannot be content, no matter how high that general standard of living may be, if some fraction of our people—whether it be one-third or one-fifth or one-tenth—is ill-fed, ill-clothed, ill-housed, and insecure.

This Republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength, under the protection of certain inalienable political rights—among them the right of free speech, free press, free worship, trial by jury, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. They were our rights to life and liberty.

As our nation has grown in size and stature, however—as our industrial economy expanded—these political rights proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness.

We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. “Necessitous men are not free men.”[3] People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.

In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.

Among these are:

The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;

The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

The right of every family to a decent home;

The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.

America's own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for all our citizens.

For unless there is security here at home there cannot be lasting peace in the world.

[-] 0 points by progressive (3) 12 years ago

Yeah that's a great one too. We need another FDR now more than ever. Imagine if a politician today would actually side with the people as opposed to the monied interests. Bernie Sanders from Vermont is about the only one I can think of that even comes close.

[-] -1 points by RedJazz43 (2757) 12 years ago

FDR saved capitalism and turned the US into an empire. We're way beyond his platitudes.