I'm watching while the party of treason and treachery is doing its rain dance to try to convince the American people that the Biblical Flood is about to engulf them. Watching Kevin McCarthy's manufactured indignity over the course of the Biden 'Build Back Better' human infrastructure improvement program is truly something to behold. As L…
I'm watching while the party of treason and treachery is doing its rain dance to try to convince the American people that the Biblical Flood is about to engulf them. Watching Kevin McCarthy's manufactured indignity over the course of the Biden 'Build Back Better' human infrastructure improvement program is truly something to behold. As Lawrence O'Donnell suggested this evening on his MSNBC show, The Last Word, Kevin McCarthy is a man watching his long-held dreams of power crashing on the shoals of reality. The American people want the reforms that the Democrats are trying to enact, despite their intraparty differences. The American people are going to have to decide which of the two parties represents the people's best interests.. McCarthy angrily accused his Democratic colleagues of trying to become another Franklin Delano Roosevelt, to which several of them responded, to the effect, "you bet! That's me." Roosevelt was elected to the presidency for four consecutive terms, the very thought of which has given Republicans stalwarts apoplexy for going on five generations. There are very few of us left were alive when FDR was president, myself among them, but unlike modern presidents, Roosevelt's reputation has not suffered greatly in the 76 years that have passed since his untimely death while still in office in April 1945. Joe Biden is right to invoke the spirit of FDR in his care and magnanimity for the welfare of the common man. Roosevelt was no stranger to suffering, even as he came from a wealthy patrician family. After all, FDR's older cousin, Teddy Roosevelt, had been a highly popular president in his own right a mere 30 years before FDR became president. Teddy Roosevelt himself, elected as a Republican, appeal to the hopes and dreams of ordinary people in the same way that FDR appealed to them during his time in office. Joe Biden clearly fits that mold, very much like TR in his strenuous efforts at self improvement as a young man; but also very much like FDR and expressing their needs and cares of working people will, from time to time, may need help from their government to rebalance the rules of engagement so that they too can earn a decent living, to be self-supporting, and not being chronically falling victim to insecurities over food or shelter. Of course FDR is a role model for Democrats; the problem is that many Democrats forgot their roots and families that had to do shift work for a living, or had to do without in order to save for the future. The two Roosevelts were committed to the common good, each in his own way. TR was brash and headstrong, while FDR was subtle and guileful; together, they were committed to getting things done for the American people that they could not do collectively for themselves. And that is Joe Biden's commitment as well. Biden knows that he is 'herding cats', that is 36 years of service in the Senate shows that he was pretty good at it. This week, we'll see if Biden hits the trifecta with the pending legislation. I certainly hope so. As for Kevin McCarthy, all of his posturing and complaining simply proves him to be the sore loser that he is.
I enjoyed reading your comment, Arthur. I have long believed that FDR, like Lincoln, was one of our greatest presidents because of what he accomplished and the manner in which he did it. Joe Biden had learned a lot from both of them. He has learned a lot from his experiences, too. I like it that he doesn’t quit on himself and that he uses his experience to help him make course corrections in ways that help him achieve his goals. I’m grateful for his dedication and willingness to serve. I believe that his presidency is achieving big things for all of us and the world. I have faith in the American people that the majority will support him and the democrats even more resolutely in the days ahead as more of the Biden platform is voted into law. The road won’t be straight and clear of hazards but with each accomplishment it will become more sure. We are living through the most challenging era in the history of our Nation because we are facing up to the fact that we must first transform so much about how our nation functions in order to keep moving forward. It is an amazing time to be alive. Makes me proud to see us embrace change and be better for it.
It was a great pleasure to read your comment, Arthur Silen. Its reflection on our history as well as noting the achievements of two presidents and now a third, with the welfare of the American people in their bones, in their hearts, and in their policies, You left me in an altogether good mood. I approached HRC's Letter from the same point, however, Arthur, you know more and eloquently conveyed it. Salud!
Arthur, you are right that Joe Bidden is spot on iinvoking "the spirit of FDR." Although my grandparents are no longer living, all four of them worshipped FDR. They were all hardworking blue collar workers for their entire lives. Both of my grandmothers worked in mills on the assembly line for American Tourister for years. One grandfather was in the military during WWII and retired as an enlisted man and then went to work for Electric Boat as a laborer. My other grandfather worked various jobs and ended retiring from the Fruit of the Loom Co. where he worked in the shipping department doing heavy manual work until he retired at 65. All of them echoed the successes of the New Deal and their president. He was a hero to them and motivated and inspired them much like JFK did with Americans in 1961. The Democrats need to keep reminding us what FDR did for all Americans when he was president and keep pushing those polls that show just how many of the American people support the BBB programs. If FDR had been confronted with a pandemic, I have to believe it would have turned out very differently from DJT's disaster. I miss them greatly but am glad that they do not have to witness what the country has become since the takeover of the Republican party.
A colleague of mine asked me to give his history class some idea how FDR could be elected four times, he didn’t know, being Canadian. The kids had heard from this Libertarian teacher the outrageous things FDR had done (government overreach, you know) and they hung on his every word. My parents, married in 1934, and everyone they knew loved FDR because most people were suffering and he did something about it. The kids were not impressed. Then I told them about radio, how people would gather around the radio for news and entertainment. The most popular performer on radio was a comedian, Bob Hope. But FDR could draw a bigger audience with his fireside chats. People were hungry to hear their president speak to them.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Madison Square Garden Speech (1936)
"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 was born the day after FDR won his 4th term, so he was alive during my first half-year. From Alfa to Omega , he was the greatest president of my lifetime and idjt the worst.
It doesn't matter whether or not his spew has any relationship to reality. In this, at least, the former Republican Party's chief strategist, Steve Bannon, is correct. They don't have to persuade anyone, just terrorize all opposition into submission, starting at the local level. Turn out enough drooling armed thugs at the local school board meeting and eventually you'll force out the sane people and replace them with your fellow thugs. Threaten enough health officials and they'll resign. Control the local police union and enough judges and you don't have to worry about breaking the law.
They don't have to get a majority of the votes in an election, either. Gerrymander enough House districts, suppress enough voters, and terrorize or, failing that, just kill enough election officials, replace them with loyal members of the cult, and you can simply nullify all the opposing votes.
These kinds of things tend to be self-correcting, but we still need to put our minds to it. The 1920s proved to be a pretty good example of social regression, but public opinion self-corrected in the 1930s. The Democratic reforms of the 1930s proved to be durable. We'll need another 20 years to see how well we pull put out of the current mess.
That would be my concern as well, yes. The brown shirts or black shirts or red hats don't need to convince anyone of anything. They've gone past that point. We need to decide how we're going to deal with that threat.
Speaking from some personal experience, I can affirm how right you are. They are counting on people remaining in denial, afraid, tired, confused, lazy and apathetic to do anything serious about it. We can just change the channel if we want, right?
Sadly, yes. The NRA will finally achieve its dearest wish: a national of angry, frightened people all armed to the teeth and ready to kill each other. Vast profits to be had.
As I read your comments, Arthur, I recalled another tradition from that generation now absent, bi-partisanship, its most important meaning. That is, the bargaining across party lines and the celebration of success for an idea (policy position) deriving from the debate by the opposing member. But, perhaps I'm mistaking bi-partisanship with loss of comity. McCarthy/McConnell et al. lack the capacity to get behind the good and simply must continue to rant after a worthy decision is reached.
I’m sorry but any President who does not support Medicare for all cannot lay claim to the mantle of FDR. I’m glad Biden is president but these claims that he is like FDR are so exaggerated.
Maybe President Biden does support Medicare for All at heart. Despite what Fox News insists, the President isn't evil. However, to demonstrate that Democracy can still work (his words), the President has been pragmatically focused on national priorities that have more potential to get a few Republicans on board. If the GOP wasn't so destructive at all costs, the President would be touring the country promoting it.
The present health care system started as a wartime expedient that had employers assume responsibility for providing health care to their employees. It was largely supported by the large industrial labor unions, as nationwide health insurance for all was beyond the Federal Government's ability to organize efficiently. That was in 1943. The problem was the transitory nature of employment relationships. We have a medicare-like system within the federal government, workers compensation for federal government employees, which is managed by the United States Department of Labor. They left a lot to be desired in the way of fairness and efficiency. One size fits all does not work well, because these organizations lose functionality with scale. The larger they are, less efficient and fair they become.
thanks for reminding us of the history, Arthur. I wonder how many people realize that 1) our current situation is, basically, an unhappy accident and 2) in an era in which unions have become increasingly toothless, that system has become just as increasingly unfeasible. now, a question that you seem extremely qualified to answer: do you think that your (obviously true) statement about organizations losing "functionality with scale" is an axiom relating to ALL systems at ALL times or do you think there are ways in which it's remediable?
well, let's hope we get to continue this dialogue. but I did sorta know that if the answer's yes, it's hardly an easy yes. I know we've both had to negotiate systems with varying degrees of success because I don't actually know anyone who hasn't....
Once, when my father had had too much to drink, he admitted having voted once for Rosie as he called him. I am not sure of why he didn't like Roosevelt except that he was a staunch Republican. I can't help but wonder what he would make of death star donny, but he did listen to Rush. He and I went round and round every time I was there visiting.
actually, I think you're pretty damn sure why he didn't like Roosevelt. my mother grew up Jewish in 1930's Louisiana, and thought Roosevelt was godlike, but virtually ALL of the non-Jewish boys she went out with couldn't mention the name without spitting.
Thanks for this post. My folks were both strong supporters of FDR and staunch liberals. You cast some very interesting comparative light on the two Roosevelts.
I'm watching while the party of treason and treachery is doing its rain dance to try to convince the American people that the Biblical Flood is about to engulf them. Watching Kevin McCarthy's manufactured indignity over the course of the Biden 'Build Back Better' human infrastructure improvement program is truly something to behold. As Lawrence O'Donnell suggested this evening on his MSNBC show, The Last Word, Kevin McCarthy is a man watching his long-held dreams of power crashing on the shoals of reality. The American people want the reforms that the Democrats are trying to enact, despite their intraparty differences. The American people are going to have to decide which of the two parties represents the people's best interests.. McCarthy angrily accused his Democratic colleagues of trying to become another Franklin Delano Roosevelt, to which several of them responded, to the effect, "you bet! That's me." Roosevelt was elected to the presidency for four consecutive terms, the very thought of which has given Republicans stalwarts apoplexy for going on five generations. There are very few of us left were alive when FDR was president, myself among them, but unlike modern presidents, Roosevelt's reputation has not suffered greatly in the 76 years that have passed since his untimely death while still in office in April 1945. Joe Biden is right to invoke the spirit of FDR in his care and magnanimity for the welfare of the common man. Roosevelt was no stranger to suffering, even as he came from a wealthy patrician family. After all, FDR's older cousin, Teddy Roosevelt, had been a highly popular president in his own right a mere 30 years before FDR became president. Teddy Roosevelt himself, elected as a Republican, appeal to the hopes and dreams of ordinary people in the same way that FDR appealed to them during his time in office. Joe Biden clearly fits that mold, very much like TR in his strenuous efforts at self improvement as a young man; but also very much like FDR and expressing their needs and cares of working people will, from time to time, may need help from their government to rebalance the rules of engagement so that they too can earn a decent living, to be self-supporting, and not being chronically falling victim to insecurities over food or shelter. Of course FDR is a role model for Democrats; the problem is that many Democrats forgot their roots and families that had to do shift work for a living, or had to do without in order to save for the future. The two Roosevelts were committed to the common good, each in his own way. TR was brash and headstrong, while FDR was subtle and guileful; together, they were committed to getting things done for the American people that they could not do collectively for themselves. And that is Joe Biden's commitment as well. Biden knows that he is 'herding cats', that is 36 years of service in the Senate shows that he was pretty good at it. This week, we'll see if Biden hits the trifecta with the pending legislation. I certainly hope so. As for Kevin McCarthy, all of his posturing and complaining simply proves him to be the sore loser that he is.
I enjoyed reading your comment, Arthur. I have long believed that FDR, like Lincoln, was one of our greatest presidents because of what he accomplished and the manner in which he did it. Joe Biden had learned a lot from both of them. He has learned a lot from his experiences, too. I like it that he doesn’t quit on himself and that he uses his experience to help him make course corrections in ways that help him achieve his goals. I’m grateful for his dedication and willingness to serve. I believe that his presidency is achieving big things for all of us and the world. I have faith in the American people that the majority will support him and the democrats even more resolutely in the days ahead as more of the Biden platform is voted into law. The road won’t be straight and clear of hazards but with each accomplishment it will become more sure. We are living through the most challenging era in the history of our Nation because we are facing up to the fact that we must first transform so much about how our nation functions in order to keep moving forward. It is an amazing time to be alive. Makes me proud to see us embrace change and be better for it.
And the best thing? President Biden is ensuring that ALL AMERICANS are included in his programs.
It was a great pleasure to read your comment, Arthur Silen. Its reflection on our history as well as noting the achievements of two presidents and now a third, with the welfare of the American people in their bones, in their hearts, and in their policies, You left me in an altogether good mood. I approached HRC's Letter from the same point, however, Arthur, you know more and eloquently conveyed it. Salud!
Arthur, you are right that Joe Bidden is spot on iinvoking "the spirit of FDR." Although my grandparents are no longer living, all four of them worshipped FDR. They were all hardworking blue collar workers for their entire lives. Both of my grandmothers worked in mills on the assembly line for American Tourister for years. One grandfather was in the military during WWII and retired as an enlisted man and then went to work for Electric Boat as a laborer. My other grandfather worked various jobs and ended retiring from the Fruit of the Loom Co. where he worked in the shipping department doing heavy manual work until he retired at 65. All of them echoed the successes of the New Deal and their president. He was a hero to them and motivated and inspired them much like JFK did with Americans in 1961. The Democrats need to keep reminding us what FDR did for all Americans when he was president and keep pushing those polls that show just how many of the American people support the BBB programs. If FDR had been confronted with a pandemic, I have to believe it would have turned out very differently from DJT's disaster. I miss them greatly but am glad that they do not have to witness what the country has become since the takeover of the Republican party.
A colleague of mine asked me to give his history class some idea how FDR could be elected four times, he didn’t know, being Canadian. The kids had heard from this Libertarian teacher the outrageous things FDR had done (government overreach, you know) and they hung on his every word. My parents, married in 1934, and everyone they knew loved FDR because most people were suffering and he did something about it. The kids were not impressed. Then I told them about radio, how people would gather around the radio for news and entertainment. The most popular performer on radio was a comedian, Bob Hope. But FDR could draw a bigger audience with his fireside chats. People were hungry to hear their president speak to them.
"The Last Word, Kevin McCarthy is a man watching his long-held dreams of power crashing on the shoals of reality."
I agree with you. Now Meadows is going after after McCarthy. I believe is the old no honor among thieves situation.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Madison Square Garden Speech (1936)
"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."
https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/coretexts/_files/resources/texts/1936%20FDR%20New%20Deal%20Liberalism.pdf
I was born the day after FDR won his 4th term, so he was alive during my first half-year. From Alfa to Omega , he was the greatest president of my lifetime and idjt the worst.
It doesn't matter whether or not his spew has any relationship to reality. In this, at least, the former Republican Party's chief strategist, Steve Bannon, is correct. They don't have to persuade anyone, just terrorize all opposition into submission, starting at the local level. Turn out enough drooling armed thugs at the local school board meeting and eventually you'll force out the sane people and replace them with your fellow thugs. Threaten enough health officials and they'll resign. Control the local police union and enough judges and you don't have to worry about breaking the law.
They don't have to get a majority of the votes in an election, either. Gerrymander enough House districts, suppress enough voters, and terrorize or, failing that, just kill enough election officials, replace them with loyal members of the cult, and you can simply nullify all the opposing votes.
These kinds of things tend to be self-correcting, but we still need to put our minds to it. The 1920s proved to be a pretty good example of social regression, but public opinion self-corrected in the 1930s. The Democratic reforms of the 1930s proved to be durable. We'll need another 20 years to see how well we pull put out of the current mess.
And now that punk Rittenhouse has skated on all charges. Carte blanche for every punk with a gun in the country.
That would be my concern as well, yes. The brown shirts or black shirts or red hats don't need to convince anyone of anything. They've gone past that point. We need to decide how we're going to deal with that threat.
Speaking from some personal experience, I can affirm how right you are. They are counting on people remaining in denial, afraid, tired, confused, lazy and apathetic to do anything serious about it. We can just change the channel if we want, right?
and for every weapons seller.
Sadly, yes. The NRA will finally achieve its dearest wish: a national of angry, frightened people all armed to the teeth and ready to kill each other. Vast profits to be had.
In general, Democrats aren't "ready to kill" our fellow Americans. Plenty of Republicans will see us as inhuman zombies to be slaughtered.
Thank you, Arthur.
As I read your comments, Arthur, I recalled another tradition from that generation now absent, bi-partisanship, its most important meaning. That is, the bargaining across party lines and the celebration of success for an idea (policy position) deriving from the debate by the opposing member. But, perhaps I'm mistaking bi-partisanship with loss of comity. McCarthy/McConnell et al. lack the capacity to get behind the good and simply must continue to rant after a worthy decision is reached.
I’m sorry but any President who does not support Medicare for all cannot lay claim to the mantle of FDR. I’m glad Biden is president but these claims that he is like FDR are so exaggerated.
Maybe President Biden does support Medicare for All at heart. Despite what Fox News insists, the President isn't evil. However, to demonstrate that Democracy can still work (his words), the President has been pragmatically focused on national priorities that have more potential to get a few Republicans on board. If the GOP wasn't so destructive at all costs, the President would be touring the country promoting it.
His actual words in the primary belie your supposition.
Candidates say lots of things during campaigns. I think it's fair to say he wasn't trying to win the votes of Democrats by saying that.
It was literally during the Democratic primary. When you are trying to win the votes of Democrats.
The present health care system started as a wartime expedient that had employers assume responsibility for providing health care to their employees. It was largely supported by the large industrial labor unions, as nationwide health insurance for all was beyond the Federal Government's ability to organize efficiently. That was in 1943. The problem was the transitory nature of employment relationships. We have a medicare-like system within the federal government, workers compensation for federal government employees, which is managed by the United States Department of Labor. They left a lot to be desired in the way of fairness and efficiency. One size fits all does not work well, because these organizations lose functionality with scale. The larger they are, less efficient and fair they become.
thanks for reminding us of the history, Arthur. I wonder how many people realize that 1) our current situation is, basically, an unhappy accident and 2) in an era in which unions have become increasingly toothless, that system has become just as increasingly unfeasible. now, a question that you seem extremely qualified to answer: do you think that your (obviously true) statement about organizations losing "functionality with scale" is an axiom relating to ALL systems at ALL times or do you think there are ways in which it's remediable?
Not readily.
well, let's hope we get to continue this dialogue. but I did sorta know that if the answer's yes, it's hardly an easy yes. I know we've both had to negotiate systems with varying degrees of success because I don't actually know anyone who hasn't....
Once, when my father had had too much to drink, he admitted having voted once for Rosie as he called him. I am not sure of why he didn't like Roosevelt except that he was a staunch Republican. I can't help but wonder what he would make of death star donny, but he did listen to Rush. He and I went round and round every time I was there visiting.
actually, I think you're pretty damn sure why he didn't like Roosevelt. my mother grew up Jewish in 1930's Louisiana, and thought Roosevelt was godlike, but virtually ALL of the non-Jewish boys she went out with couldn't mention the name without spitting.
Part of Southern culture.
...one of the reasons I haven't exactly hurried back to visit since the summer of '56. actually, the main reason.
Thanks for this post. My folks were both strong supporters of FDR and staunch liberals. You cast some very interesting comparative light on the two Roosevelts.