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The Wit and Wisdom of Will Rogers. “Politics is Applesauce”. Alphabet Soup. F ranklin D elano R oosevelt, 1933-1945. TR and FDR. Born to wealthy NY families Ivy grads – originally league of “IV” schools Politicians in NY legislature Governors of Empire State
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The Wit and Wisdom of Will Rogers • “Politics is Applesauce”
TR and FDR • Born to wealthy NY families • Ivy grads – originally league of “IV” schools • Politicians in NY legislature • Governors of Empire State • Asst. Secretaries of the Navy • Nominated to Vice Presidency • 6 kids • But FDR: Paralysis – masking the disability
Water • Roosevelt family made fortune in shipping • Excellent swimmer and sailor • Asst. Secretary of Navy • Contracted polio while swimming off coast of New Brunswick • Swimming / water therapy to regain strength • “water got me here and water will get me back” • Warm Springs, GA: “Little White House”
Eyes and ears; liaison “Champion of the dispossessed” Women’s causes, unemployed youth, racial discrimination “Solemn, without beauty” “tall and toothy” Most active First Lady in history; criticism
1932 Election • FDR vs. Hoover • “intellectual lightweight,” “pleasant but unqualified,” “weakest candidate,” “boy scout” • FDR! • FDR’s main advantage • Campaign pledge: “Plight of the forgotten man,” “a New Deal for the American people” • Landslide victory
Theme songs have been an essential part of political campaigns • 1932: “Happy Days are Here Again” • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqsT4xnKZPg • 1960: JFK “High Hopes” • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHRTCVwSKMs • 1988: Bush “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjnvSQuv-H4 • 1992: Clinton “Don’t Stop” • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3JA1nWPFqM • 2008: Obama “Yes We Can” • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsV2O4fCgjk
100 Days • March – June 1933 • 1st inaugural: “The only thing we have to fear …” • Bulletproof stand • 15 major acts passed • 20th Amendment • Shortened “lame duck”
What Should you REALLY be afraid of? • Fear, as FDR noted in 1933, paralyzes those who succumb to it. • But much of what we worry about today is based on hype rather than reality • Using 2009 data, the following list shows unsettling threats and their far riskier counterparts.
What Should you REALLY be afraid of? • Burglaries 2.2 million • Identity Thefts 8.3 million • Shark attacks 28 • Dog Bites 4.5 million • Americans killed by terrorists around the world 33 • Americans who die from the flu 36,000 • Women who die from breast cancer 40,000 • Women who die from cardiovascular disease 430,000 • Fatal airline accidents 321 • Fatal car crashes 34,000 Ghosts? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N5OhNplEd4
Fireside Chats - Relief to the unemployed - Banking and finance reform - 3 R’s: relief, recovery and reform
Approach to the Depression • “The country needs bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it. It if fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.” • “The reform program will use the authority of the government as an organized form of self-help for all classes and groups of our country.” • “In the event that Congress shall fail … I shall take the one remaining instrument to meet the crisis – broad Executive power to wage war against the emergency.”
“lifting the spirits” 21st Amendment