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SSJVegeta

(2,874 posts)
21. FDR literally said you have the right to food, housing and a good education
Sun Nov 2, 2025, 09:44 AM
Nov 2025

He proposed an entire 2nd bill of rights entirely dedicated to such things. It isnt crazy to think that if given the opportunity (not dying), he would have went much further than a government funded grocery store.


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Economy & Economic Justice / Democracy & Government
FDR’s Second Bill Of Rights
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
by Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Source: Franklin Delano Roosevelt / January 11, 1944

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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.


Consider also who one of FDRs main allies was: Mayor Fiorello Laguardia. NYC already has a number of city run grocery stores that were founded by the former Mayor. This idea isnt new, Mamdani is just looking to extend it. (And yes, former Governor of NY, FDR, was a supporter of such things).

https://www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/government-is-already-in-the-grocery-business#:~:text=Beginning%20in%20the%201930s%2C%20Mayor,to%20adapt%20to%20current%20needs.

https://jacobin.com/2025/04/fiorello-la-guardia-nyc-mayor

Mamdani, again, is running as an extension to traditional new deal coalition policies that FDR and Laguardia (a republican), spearheaded.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Anytime a Democrat doesn't run as a populist in this environment SSJVegeta Nov 2025 #1
But people from NJ said it's things like high property taxes that people are upset about JI7 Nov 2025 #3
A good populist would literally be running on that as a core issue. SSJVegeta Nov 2025 #4
The populists in this country support Trump JI7 Nov 2025 #8
Populists in this country also support Mamdani and AOC SSJVegeta Nov 2025 #9
New Jersey doesn't support populists JI7 Nov 2025 #10
Obama was a populist SSJVegeta Nov 2025 #12
Obama was a traditional Democrat like the candidate running right now JI7 Nov 2025 #13
His entire rhetoric was aimed at pitting the working class against the wealthy SSJVegeta Nov 2025 #15
No, Obama was similar to Clinton. Both traditional democrats JI7 Nov 2025 #16
Traditional democrats are new deal democrats SSJVegeta Nov 2025 #17
Clinton ran as an outsider from Arkansas also JI7 Nov 2025 #18
Clinton ran as a "New Democrat" SSJVegeta Nov 2025 #19
What mixed economic social democratic policies ? JI7 Nov 2025 #20
FDR literally said you have the right to food, housing and a good education SSJVegeta Nov 2025 #21
All Democrats say that. Stop tryng to rewrite history JI7 Nov 2025 #22
My post was a copy pasta of FDR's speech. No rewrite of history needed. SSJVegeta Nov 2025 #23
Which democrats don't think government should do that ? JI7 Nov 2025 #24
You tell me SSJVegeta Nov 2025 #25
Mamdani says he is socialist JI7 Nov 2025 #28
Are you saying the Dem nominee for mayor is a fake Democrat? SSJVegeta Nov 2025 #29
Read the post again. JI7 Nov 2025 #33
So what? He is also a Democrat who supports New Deal policies. SSJVegeta Nov 2025 #35
Democratic socialism isn't socialism, populism isn't populism, it's a secret mix of herbs & spices. betsuni Nov 2025 #40
More like a label and an action are two different things SSJVegeta Nov 2025 #41
This message was self-deleted by its author SSJVegeta Nov 2025 #11
Mikie wins by 5%................... Lovie777 Nov 2025 #2
Anecdotal, but, My BIL in NJ, say Sherrill should win by 5 to 7%--FWIW!! n/m Ars Longa Nov 2025 #5
For what it's worth, Atlas Intel polls of Trump's approval rating have consistently Wiz Imp Nov 2025 #6
Looking at the Atlas Intel polls in NYC and VA they are also karynnj Nov 2025 #36
Poll shows 18% Ciatterelli lead among black voters Jersey Devil Nov 2025 #7
Didn't he say he wanted to bring back segregated schools? TheBlackAdder Nov 2025 #14
I still say they need to check the voting machines for malware. BComplex Nov 2025 #26
Someone (anyone) plz tell me why it's a dead heat vapor2 Nov 2025 #27
Sherrill is a shitty campaigner. bushalert Nov 2025 #30
When she first ran she flipped a long held Republican seat karynnj Nov 2025 #37
Hard to believe JBTaurus83 Nov 2025 #31
NJ is a bro state Aviation Pro Nov 2025 #32
No-name pollsters seem to call it a dead heat, whereas the more reputable ones show a solid (6%'ish) lead for Sherrill. W_HAMILTON Nov 2025 #34
What's ticking me off is my state tax return has been under review for 5 months. TheBlackAdder Nov 2025 #38
I live over in Philly JBTaurus83 Nov 2025 #39
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