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G_j

(40,366 posts)
Sat Jun 25, 2016, 07:03 PM Jun 2016

FDR's "Second Bill Of Rights"

http://www.ushistory.org/documents/economic_bill_of_rights.htm

Economic Bill of Rights

January 11, 1944

Often referred to as the "Second Bill of Rights"

Excerpted from Franklin Delano Roosevelt's message to Congress on the State of the Union. This was proposed not to amend the Constitution, but rather as a political challenge, encouraging Congress to draft legislation to achieve these aspirations. It is sometimes referred to as the "Second Bill of Rights."

It is our duty now to begin to lay the plans and determine the strategy for the winning of a lasting peace and the establishment of an American standard of living higher than ever before known. We cannot be content, no matter how high that general standard of living may be, if some fraction of our people — whether it be one-third or one-fifth or one-tenth — is ill-fed, ill-clothed, ill-housed, and insecure.

This Republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength, under the protection of certain inalienable political rights — among them the right of free speech, free press, free worship, trial by jury, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. They were our rights to life and liberty.

As our nation has grown in size and stature, however — as our industrial economy expanded — these political rights proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness.

We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. "Necessitous men are not free men." People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.

In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all — regardless of station, race, or creed.

Among these are:

- The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;

-The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

-The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

-The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

-The right of every family to a decent home;

-The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

-The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

-The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.

America's own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for our citizens.


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FDR's "Second Bill Of Rights" (Original Post) G_j Jun 2016 OP
NOW it's: HughBeaumont Jun 2016 #1
Unfortunately G_j Jun 2016 #5
He was so wise to try to create a more secure and happier country. The Wielding Truth Jun 2016 #2
No wonder he was called "a traitor to his class" lapucelle Jun 2016 #3
Best. President. Ever. OrwellwasRight Jun 2016 #4
Kick G_j Jul 2016 #6
Well said, FDR. Thanks for posting, G_j. n/t pampango Jul 2016 #7

HughBeaumont

(24,461 posts)
1. NOW it's:
Sat Jun 25, 2016, 07:08 PM
Jun 2016

- The right to compete for a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation with thousands and thousands of others;

-The right to earn nothing and not provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

-The right of every farmer to sell out to agri-business to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a pittance;

-The right of every businessman, large and small, to offshore labor in an atmosphere of freedom in spite of supposed competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

-The right of every family to at least a mud hut and bug breakfasts; after all, the poorest American is the world's Larry Ellison;

-The right of the extremely wealthy to have adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

-The right to bankruptcy by economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

-The right to a good education, provided you cough up the big bucks.

Oh how far we've come!

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