Democratic Primaries
In reply to the discussion: He is not a liberal, he's the end of liberalism - interesting perspective from... David Brooks [View all]bucolic_frolic
(43,111 posts)FDR used the existing capitalist system and tweaked it for working people. He was friendly with the titans of industry and found ways to encourage them to cooperate with his plans through higher taxes to pay for the New Deal in exchange for some tariff protection and relaxation of antitrust enforcement. Also he ran a very efficient government. I read parts of the Kenneth Davis FDR biography, and his administrators told him it would be something like $415million for the New Deal. FDR cut it down to $300million because he knew high deficits would hurt his chances for reelection.
Also the reforms he made were basic. Social Security was old age food rent and heating basic subsistence. Today it's based more on income and high earners can pull down $2500 a month or more. FDR empowered unions, workers rights for health, safety, and a living wage. Worker owned cooperatives and government ownership of factories were not a goal of the New Deal.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden