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the election of 1948 and why politics hasn’t changed all that much
medium.com ^ | November 16, 2014 | political book review

Posted on 11/16/2014 4:23:51 PM PST by statestreet

It’s hard to get too far into reading a newspaper these days without hearing about how nasty the political game has become. At first glance, it’s an easy assertion to buy into: between the government shutdown, Congress’ inability to pass any meaningful legislation, the vitriolic opposition to compromise coming from both sides of the aisle, etc., etc., things do seem to have changed. The media plays a role in selling the idea, too. Magazine covers and op-eds all trumpet the same message: America just doesn’t seem to work any more.

Our collective memory is startlingly short. Anyone who has read a little bit of history knows this. Case in point: David Pietrusza’s 1948: Harry Truman’s Improbable Victory and the Year that Transformed America. At first glance, one would think that this book brings us back to those good ol’ post-war days, when America’s “greatest generation” came together in selfless unity to solve the problems that faced the world’s newest superpower. According to Grandma, ours was a system that provided equitable distribution of the riches of the free market, protected the rights of all citizens, and stood up to the menace of Soviet communism for the benefit of Europe and all peoples everywhere who wanted to be free. Grannie must know because she was there… right?

(Excerpt) Read more at medium.com ...


TOPICS: Books/Literature; Government; History; Politics
KEYWORDS: 1948; election; progressives; truman

1 posted on 11/16/2014 4:23:51 PM PST by statestreet
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To: statestreet

You won’t be commenting on your thread.


2 posted on 11/16/2014 4:36:44 PM PST by ansel12 (The churlish behavior of Obama over the next two years is going to be spellbinding.)
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To: statestreet; FReepers; FRiends; Patriots

Governments count on citizens' short memories...1934.



DONATE


3 posted on 11/16/2014 4:50:03 PM PST by Lady Jag (Tolerance and apathy are the last virtues of a dying society)
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To: statestreet

It goes back to the Founding. Soon after the formation of the US, politics got bitter and brutal. The Founders themselves went after each other with vigor.


4 posted on 11/16/2014 6:04:14 PM PST by Paradox (and now here we are....)
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To: Paradox

The thing that shocked me is that Truman went to bed at 6:00PM.

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5 posted on 11/16/2014 6:13:41 PM PST by Mears
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To: ansel12
I believe strongly that "Dewey really defeated Truman."

It was the first national case of effective 'Rat voter fraud.

6 posted on 11/17/2014 2:49:37 AM PST by FroggyTheGremlim ("Your apathy is their power." - Sarah Palin Jul 19, 2014)
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To: ansel12

An aged arcade hates a profound refund.


7 posted on 07/10/2016 4:29:17 PM PDT by SamAdams76 (Did you get pears?)
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