Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Thom Hartman read an FDR 1944 speech on his AAR show

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (Through 2005) Donate to DU
 
upi402 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Nov-25-05 02:38 PM
Original message
Thom Hartman read an FDR 1944 speech on his AAR show
Thom Hartman read a 1944 speech from Franklin D Roosevelt. It was about a just and necessary war, and how to go about it. Here's an excerpt

<snip>


That is the way to fight and win a war — all out — and not with half-an-eye on the battlefronts abroad and the other eye-and-a-half on personal, selfish, or political interests here at home.

Therefore, in order to concentrate all our energies and resources on winning the war, and to maintain a fair and stable economy at home, I recommend that the Congress adopt:

A realistic tax law - which will tax all unreasonable profits, both individual and corporate, and reduce the ultimate cost of the war to our sons and daughters. The tax bill now under consideration by the Congress does not begin to meet this test.

A continuation of the law for the renegotiation of war contracts — which will prevent exorbitant profits and assure fair prices to the Government. For two long years I have pleaded with the Congress to take undue profits out of war.

A cost of food law — which will enable the Government (a) to place a reasonable floor under the prices the farmer may expect for his production; and (b) to place a ceiling on the prices a consumer will have to pay for the food he buys. This should apply to necessities only; and will require public funds to carry out. It will cost in appropriations about one percent of the present annual cost of the war.

Early reenactment of the stabilization statute of October, 1942. This expires June 30, 1944, and if it is not extended well in advance, the country might just as well expect price chaos by summer. We cannot have stabilization by wishful thinking. We must take positive action to maintain the integrity of the American dollar.

A national service law — which, for the duration of the war, will prevent strikes, and, with certain appropriate exceptions, will make available for war production or for any other essential services every able-bodied adult in this Nation.

These five measures together form a just and equitable whole. I would not recommend a national service law unless the other laws were passed to keep down the cost of living, to share equitably the burdens of taxation, to hold the stabilization line, and to prevent undue profits.

The Federal Government already has the basic power to draft capital and property of all kinds for war purposes on a basis of just compensation.

As you know, I have for three years hesitated to recommend a national service act. Today, however, I am convinced of its necessity. Although I believe that we and our allies can win the war without such a measure, I am certain that nothing less than total mobilization of all our resources of manpower and capital will guarantee an earlier victory, and reduce the toll of suffering and sorrow and blood.

...


http://www.feri.org/archives/speeches/jan1144.cfm
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
LSK Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Nov-25-05 02:40 PM
Response to Original message
1. Randi Rhodes has always said that profits should not take place during war
If that was the law, there would be a lot less wars in the world.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
MrBenchley Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Nov-25-05 03:20 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. Interesting documentary on TCM the other night
on Merian C. Cooper, the producer/writer/director of King Kong...he fought against the Russians for Poland after WWI, was captured by the Russians and thrown in a prison camp, escaped and made hi sway back to Poland. The Polish government tried to reward him with money and land, but he turned them down because he did not want to profit from war.

By the time World War II came along, he was on the board of directors of PanAm...but he resigned and sold all his stock before rejoining the Army Air Force even though he was well past military age.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
upi402 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Nov-25-05 03:41 PM
Response to Reply #2
4. hmmm...sorta like the BEST president EVER!!!
:puke: *
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dkofos Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Nov-25-05 03:30 PM
Response to Original message
3. I truly love Thomm Hartmann
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Surya Gayatri Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Nov-25-05 03:43 PM
Response to Reply #3
5. Couldn't agree more, dkofos
Hartmann is something of a neo-renaissance man. Full of wisdom and sagacity. How I wish his measured voice could be more widely heard. SG
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dkofos Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Nov-25-05 03:47 PM
Response to Reply #5
6. Hopefully, Franken will run for Senate
and Hartmann will take over his time slot.

He is a true Patriot.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Toots Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Nov-25-05 05:16 PM
Response to Original message
7. Take the Profit out of War and there would be no War
There would be know Republican Party either if that were to happen. They are nothing more than War Profiteers.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
upi402 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Nov-25-05 07:02 PM
Response to Original message
8. General Smedley Butler -'War Is A Racket'
General Smedley Butler

Smedley Butler on Interventionism

-- Excerpt from a speech delivered in 1933, by Major General Smedley Butler, USMC.

War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses.

I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else. If a nation comes over here to fight, then we'll fight. The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag.

I wouldn't go to war again as I have done to protect some lousy investment of the bankers. There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights. War for any other reason is simply a racket.

There isn't a trick in the racketeering bag that the military gang is blind to. It has its "finger men" to point out enemies, its "muscle men" to destroy enemies, its "brain men" to plan war preparations, and a "Big Boss" Super-Nationalistic-Capitalism.

http://www.the7thfire.com/Politics%20and%20History/Gen-Smedley-Butler.htm
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Wed May 01st 2024, 11:55 AM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (Through 2005) Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC