Lessons from FDR
The cherry blossoms in DC are now in full bloom. I went to see them on the Tidal Basin, a short but welcome break from the daily avalanche of news. I spent more time at the FDR memorial, moved by the words of this great American leader, who saved us from fascism.
I wonder how many officials in the current administration, cabinet members, and DOGE enforcers ever visited FDR’s memorial or bothered to read the quotes. And if those words that transformed our nation and the world mean anything to them. Considering their actions, most likely not.
The legacy of Franklin Delano Roosevelt is being tarnished these days by a combination of malice and incompetence. Generation after generation and president after president, both Democratic and Republican, preserved, as they knew best, and built on FDR’s vision for a government in service of the people, and for a world order based on liberal values and institutions. And in doing so, every single one tried to keep the promise of America, a force for good and hope in the world.
Now, we live in a different reality. These are some of the quotes carved on the walls of the FDR Memorial in Washington DC. Just read them and compare them with what is unfolding right now in the country and in the world.
“Unless the peace that follows recognizes that the whole world is one neighborhood and does justice to the whole human race, the germs of another world war will remain as a constant threat to mankind.”
Nothing about deals on minerals and ripping other countries of their resources or annexing them because we need and we can.
“We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all citizens, whatever their background. We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred is a wedge designed to attack our civilization.”
“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.”
Now compare this with “Social Security is a Ponzi scheme”. While Social Security is being cut, and institutions supporting working people are dismantled, billionaires are getting a tax cut.
“In these days of difficulty, we Americans everywhere must and shall choose the path of social justice…, the path of faith, the path of hope, and the path of love toward out fellow man.”
“I never forget that I live in a house owned by all the American people and that I have been given their trust.”
There isn’t anything else to add.
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