Nostalgic Blast from the Past...SOTU...Jan.11, 1944

[bvar22]

The following is an excerpt from FDR's State of the Union Address delivered in 1944.

"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. For unless there is security here at home there cannot be lasting peace in the world."--FDR

The above is why I am a "Democrat".
I would LOVE to hear our leadership stand in unambiguous support for these traditional Democratic values.

[leftstreet]

1. OMG He sounds like a friggin COMMUNIST !!111

K&R

[CTyankee]

2. That sounds like the Communist Manifesto nowadays...

how far we have strayed from that ideal...it's sad...

[pacalo]

3. I'm an FDR Democrat, too, bvar. As I read that exceptional excerpt, I wondered how today's centrist

Democrats could use that same leadership. Elinor Roosevelt's words of wisdom are relevant today; in fact, they're timeless:

Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

And on religion, here are her wise words:

Anyone who knows history, particularly the history of Europe, will, I think, recognize that the domination of education or of government by any one particular religious faith is never a happy arrangement for the people.

[delightfulstar]

4. FDR was right.

And sadly, he's probably rolling in his grave at what this country has become. If you'll notice, Repukes want to make every effort to erode every one of these rights with their tired rhetoric, in addition to many of our civil rights (like Choice and free speech, for example). Our values have been compromised. We need to get back to our principles as a party and a nation, quit kowtowing exclusively to the interests of big business, get away from the intense partisan bickering that is tearing at the very fabric of our society, and start taking care of the needs of the people. That's what made us a great nation, and we can do it again.

[bvar22]

5. I really miss that "old" Democratic Party.

..and you are right.
FDR would be ashamed of what his party has devolved into.