A profound thanks to those who invoke FDR and the New Dealers

[appalachiablue]

84. Your appreciation of Frankin and Eleanor warms my heart. Continue studying him and that era.

He was one of the greatest US Presidents, elected 4 terms and ranking alongside Washington and Lincoln. The strength, vision and achievements of FDR contributed vastly to 20th century American greatness. He began office under terrible conditions in a dark time giving rise to the expression,
"Democrats, cleaning up after Republican messes since 1933".
That includes President Obama entering office after the worst financial crash in 75 years brought on by the mortgage crisis and banking deregulation. Between that time, 1929-2008 there was no major US financial crisis because of regulations FDR and his cabinet imposed on Wall Street- creation of the FDIC, SEC, etc.

FDR welcomed the hatred of those "economic royalists" and forged a New Deal agenda that lead to US prosperity for more than 45 years. Frances Perkins witnessed the loss of workers lives at the NY Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911 and as FDR's Labor Secretary created major new programs for desperate Americans throughout the country. The American people including the poor were supported by the energy and determination of the New Dealers. Together they pulled this nation through a Depression and World War. Union organization and membership increased tremendously benefiting millions of American households; new Unemployment and Social Security Insurance programs brought relief and security. These programs and progressive action lead to the largest and greatest middle class in history.

Pictures of FDR and labor leaders like John L. Lewis of the United Mine Workers and AFL-CIO were on the walls of grateful family homes my mother told me. African Americans joined the Democratic Party in historic numbers by Truman's administration. After 12 years in office, radio fireside chats and little Fala FDR had become like a father figure in the best sense. Like others I am reminded of FDR by Senator Bernie Sanders' courage, belief in the people and fighting spirit against tremendous obstacles.
When young I was fortunate to know some people who had come to Washington during the FDR, JFK and Johnson administrations. They were bright economists, academics and policymakers committed to the New Deal, the Great Society and liberalism. I remember how one told me the Roosevelt name means "field of roses" in Dutch.

When Ronald Reagan declared war on government at the US Capitol in January, 1981 it was a return to the pro-business thinking of the 1920s, the policies of Harding, Coolidge and Hoover, "less government in business". That less regulation lead to stock market speculation and easy money fueling the Roaring 20s, the Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression. I was in DC during that 1981 Inauguration and cannot believe the changes to this country since Reaganomics.

During WWII my parents already persevered to fight Fascism, my mother a young bride working in NYC and San Francisco while dad was an artillery officer fighting Nazi Germany in the 7th Army Rhineland Campaign, the Liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp April 29, 1945, just two weeks after FDR passed, and in the Army of Occupation. Their parents had seen WWI, survived the 1918 Spanish Flu Epidemic and struggled to keep home and family during the Depression. The Greatest Generation, their children were my hardworking, brave and wonderful parents. Americans of all backgrounds built and benefited from this new democracy based on the concept of "we the people" and with the first written constitution of any major government in history. It has to be preserved now for the sake of all living Americans and those of the future.

Corporate control, excessive financialization and greed, economic inequality, deregulated government, loss of labor and worker rights and a dumbed down populace have altered the stability of the US. And climate change. For five years experts have recognized these challenges are as significant as the post- WWII restoration of Europe by the Marshall Plan- what's needed now for 21st century America, a great rebuilding. It can be done, the will exists, so do the wealth and resources. Popular, progressive formations from the bottom by the people are necessary to start US restructure and restoration. There's a lot of work to do to, and The Whole World is Watching. The leader to inspire us is FDR. So glad you're here, and keep the faith.