Name the president: Who said this to Congress: The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces...

justkillingtime

Who said this to Congress:

The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole our relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of a sound policy. It is in violation of the traditions of America. Work must be found for able-bodied but destitute workers.

The Federal Government must and shall quit this business of relief.

I am not willing that the vitality of our people be further sapped by the giving of cash, of market baskets, of a few hours of weekly work cutting grass, raking leaves, or picking up papers in the public parks. We must preserve not only the bodies of the unemployed from destitution but also their self-respect, their self-reliance, and courage and determination.

JONDO

AS LONG AS THIS GOVERNMENT KEEPS PRINTING MONEY AND SQUANDERING IT AND CANT EVEN KEEP TRACK OF WHAT THEY DO SPEND AND LOSE,(NO)TAKE AWAY THERE ALLOWANCE TILL THEY CLEAN UP THE CORRUPTION AND FRAUD.

cold iron Loc: White House

A few city's tried to give welfare people work doing just that, cut the grass in parks, pick up trash, but the UNION's sued the city's. Claimed it was taking there jobs away. It hopless, we will never be America again. So, maybe we should all just stop working and go on welfare, that will bring the long slow death of our country to a fast end and that we can get to fixing it the right way.

Dave Loc: Upstate New York

justkillingtime wrote:

Who said this to Congress: br br The lessons of h... (show quote)

Sounds like it may well have been FDR - certainly wasn't Obama

cold iron Loc: White House

It was Reagan..

snowbear37 Loc: MA.

justkillingtime wrote:

Who said this to Congress: br br The lessons of h... (show quote)

FDR, Jan. 4, 1935.

He also said in that speech:

We have, however, a clear mandate from the people, that Americans must forswear that conception of the acquisition of wealth which, through excessive profits, creates undue private power over private affairs and, to our misfortune, over public affairs as well. In building toward this end we do not destroy ambition, nor do we seek to divide our wealth into equal shares on stated occasions. We continue to recognize the greater ability of some to earn more than others. But we do assert that the ambition of the individual to obtain for him and his a proper security, a reasonable leisure, and a decent living throughout life, is an ambition to be preferred to the appetite for great wealth and great power.

Dave Loc: Upstate New York

snowbear37 wrote:

FDR, Jan. 4, 1935. br br He also said in that spe... (show quote)

Now - who and what determines what is "excessive profits"
and
"a proper security, a reasonable leisure, and a decent living throughout life"

The answer to that question lies the source of much concern - if it is decided that the government has such powers one would be correct in asking, given our form of government, where does it originate from.

To many people, the beauty of market bases economic systems the power or individual's choosing who to do business with provides the ultimate in democratic control of wealth distribution.

justkillingtime

JONDO wrote:

AS LONG AS THIS GOVERNMENT KEEPS PRINTING MONEY AND SQUANDERING IT AND CANT EVEN KEEP TRACK OF WHAT THEY DO SPEND AND LOSE,(NO)TAKE AWAY THERE ALLOWANCE TILL THEY CLEAN UP THE CORRUPTION AND FRAUD.

That's an answer?

justkillingtime

cold iron wrote:

A few city's tried to give welfare people work doing just that, cut the grass in parks, pick up trash, but the UNION's sued the city's. Claimed it was taking there jobs away. It hopless, we will never be America again. So, maybe we should all just stop working and go on welfare, that will bring the long slow death of our country to a fast end and that we can get to fixing it the right way.

Thats not an answer; thats a waste of my time.

justkillingtime

snowbear37 wrote:

FDR, Jan. 4, 1935. br br He also said in that spe... (show quote)

Which shows that FDR was a conservative. Human nature being what it is you dont let the rich go unregulated lest they use the power they wield through their money to oppress the poor, and you dont give unconditional help to the poor lest they become dependent on that help and thus a drain on society. Lyndon Johnsons Great Society proved the validity of FDRs warning.

justkillingtime

Dave wrote:

Now - who and what determines what is "excess... (show quote)

If the government doesnt have the power to regulate the wealthy and thereby keep the wealthy from abusing the poor, then who does have that power?

justkillingtime

Dave wrote:

To many people, the beauty of market bases economic systems the power or individual's choosing who to do business with provides the ultimate in democratic control of wealth distribution.

There are many who are wrong. The poor will always need jobs more than the wealthy need profits. When you are poor and there is not charity or government sufficient enough to keep you from starving to death, dying of disease or living on the streets, you either turn to theft and mayhem or you take whatever job you can find at whatever pay you can get, and a lot of times the wealthy will still see to it that you starve to death, die of disease or end up living in shelter that is inadequate and unsafe.

Dave Loc: Upstate New York

justkillingtime wrote:

If the government doesnt have the power to regulate the wealthy and thereby keep the wealthy from abusing the poor, then who does have that power?

Their power to regulate the wealthy is limited - they do it largely by progressive tax codes.

The ultimate power belongs to the people - by thier power of the purse - that's the market system I tried to describe in my response.

Dave Loc: Upstate New York

justkillingtime wrote:

There are many who are wrong. The poor will alway... (show quote)

There will always be poor, and poverty is not the cause of the mayhem you describe - our experience during the depression shows that.

As to people dying from starvation in the streets - that is a long way from people dependent on the government to provide enough to allow for cable tv on HD flat screens, air conditioning, smart cell phones, and casino trips.

As to jobs, is it your contention that the wealthy, or the government, has the responsibility to provide them?

alex Loc: michigan now imperial beach californa

justkillingtime wrote:

There are many who are wrong. The poor will alway... (show quote)

If you don't like being poor get smart enough to get rich stop trying to find ways to steal from others