FDR: "Government by organized money is just as dangerous as government by organized mobs."

The picture of FDR that rested on the mantle where I grew up.

Dear A,

Thanks for your call.

As always, good talking with you.

Here's the excerpt from that four-hour Roosevelt documentary I mentioned.  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/fdr/ 

In the 1936 election, Roosevelt was so supremely confident of re-election that he never even mentioned his Republican opponent. 

Instead, he saved his fire for the leaders of big business: 

"We know now that government by organized money is just as dangerous as government by organized mobs. Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me and I welcome their hatred."

Republican opposition accused Roosevelt of "turning class against class." (Today, Warren Buffett openly admits the existence of class warfare and goes on to say that his class - the rich class - not only started the war but is winning it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu5B-2LoC4s)

Here is a longer audio clip of Roosevelt's "I welcome their hatred" speech - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9yoZHs6PsU

And, finally, a transcript of FDR's "I welcome their hatred" speech given on October 31, 1936 at Madison Square Garden - http://docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/od2ndst.html

"For twelve years this Nation was afflicted with hear-nothing, see-nothing, do-nothing Government. The Nation looked to Government but the Government looked away. Nine mocking years with the golden calf and three long years of the scourge! Nine crazy years at the ticker and three long years in the breadlines! Nine mad years of mirage and three long years of despair! Powerful influences strive today to restore that kind of government with its doctrine that that Government is best which is most indifferent.

For nearly four years you have had an Administration which instead of twirling its thumbs has rolled up its sleeves. We will keep our sleeves rolled up.

We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace‹business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering.

They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob.

Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me and I welcome their hatred." 

***

The FDR documentary referenced above is freely streamable at  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/fdr/

Pax on both houses

Alan