“Malefactors of Great Wealth”
When I recalled that phrase recently, I was sure it had been coined by Franklin D. Roosevelt against the Big Business opponents of the New Deal. In fact, when I looked it up I was surprised to learn that the memorable words were used by Republican President Theodore Roosevelt in a speech at Provincetown, Mass, to accuse the “Trusts” of causing the financial “panic” of 1907. He went on to say:
“. . . [these men] combine to bring about as much financial stress as possible, in order to discredit the policy of the government and thereby secure a reversal of that policy, so that they may enjoy unmolested the fruits of their own evil-doing. . . I regard this contest as one to determine who shall rule this free country—the people through their governmental agents, or a few ruthless and domineering men whose wealth makes them peculiarly formidable because they hide behind the breastworks of corporate organization.”
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"Teddy Roosevelt: The Making Of A Progressive Reformer"
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"Politics and Economics: The 101 Courses You Wish You Had"
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