America For Purchase

In the last few days Republicans, including John Boehner and their news pundants, namely FOX News, are attempting to re-write history stating Roosevelt’s ‘New Deal’ was a bad deal for America.  It reminds me of George W Bush trying to re-write his own history of the last 8 years and Americans are NOT buying it.

Roosevelt’s New Deal initiated programs that directly and positively impacted Americans because it directly employed people.  Sure the Stock Market was quite volatile and many were hesitant to make investments which did slow the market.  Republicans are now claiming Obama’s Stimulus Plan will cause the same type of slowing process in Wall Street.  Are you kidding me?  The Republicans, those greedy little white men, who ran Wall Street into the ground, taking homeowner mortgages along with the market’s decline, now are calling foul?

Do not forget it was the George W Bush Republicans who ran up the deficit to record levels in the U.S. and who increased America’s debt to over $1 Trillion!

In reality, Roosevelt was able to see beyond the political climate and see the benefits to be had during these difficult times.  Roosevelt also signed into law on July 5, 1935, The Wagner-Connery Act, establishing a federal agency (National Labor Relations Board) with the power to investigate charges of unfair labor practices.  It was this Act that created the 40-hour workweek and established the first national minimum wage.  Of course Republicans hate unions which we witnessed during the recent Auto Bailout hearings on Capitol Hill.

During the Depression, Republicans thought America would be better off if we let the markets adjust themselves and not engage in employing Americans.  This will be the argument once again.

Actually, the New Deal greatly improved the lives for tens of millions of Americans.  It also reduced the employment rate from 25% when Roosevelt took office down to single digits.  It also took huge government spending associated with WWII to completely lift the economy out of the depression. Roosevelt’s vision and leadership worked when America needed it most. When Roosevelt began his plan he did not worry about those who whined about the cost. President Obama should not either. 

Now the down side (depending on how you view it).  The New Deal dealt a blow to the Republican Party because it left the Democrats firmly in power for more than 20 years.  Republicans did not regain the Presidency until 1952, some 20 years after President Roosevelt was first elected.

So the truth of the matter, why Republicans are complaining about the type of Stimulus Package President Obama is introducing, is they are scared of the past repeating itself.  Can you imagine how scary to Republicans the prospect of the Democrats retaining the Presidency for the next 20 years?

The ironic fact is that Republicans always ‘claim’ to be against big government, yet they have grown the government under George W Bush, more the 40%!   The Republicans speak against any form of socialism, yet they are the ones who authored socialism in the bailout of Wall Street and the Financial Institutions in America.  Past Republicans ‘claim’ they were against Pork Barrel Spending, yet Republicans under the Bush Administration increased Pork Spending more than 70%!!

Can you say HIPOCRITES!

Republicans have always had the same opportunity to address issues impacting Americans, yet Americans know Republicans are the epitome of corporate greed, wealth, power, control and manipulation.  Republicans have a great disdain for the average American.  Have you ever noticed that once they get into public office, they immediately forget those who elected them and opt instead to support corporate America, while claiming the old ‘Reagan’ slogan about trickle-down economics?  Actually, in all fairness, Republicans have on rare occasions thrown a few crumbs to U.S. Citizens.

 The economic climate is horrendous in America today.  People are truly hurting, suffering and encountering life-threatening situations.  We do need change.  We do need a plan and I believe the Obama Stimulus Plan, which actually will put Americans to work, instead of giving taxpayer money to Wall Street is one visionary plan which must be enacted.

I do not totally agree with the entire plan, but I am willing to give it a chance.  While Americans might enjoy a tax break in the short term, there is no way taxes in this country can remain as low as they are.  From Ronald Reagan to George W Bush, taxes have been cut for the wealthiest Americans for decades.  With this huge deficit and massive debt, at some point Americans are going to have to pay up and I hope they are smart enough to figure out that increased taxes, whenever they occur, are generated from the reckless and economically challenged Republicans which have done all in their power to run America into the ground.

I hope Americans will stand firm in support of President Barack Obama and I hope they will stand just as firm against the Republican Party and right wingers who, in a time of great American distress, will continue to play politics rather than focusing on the everyday, hardworking American family.

Filed under: Republicans