This is one of the world's most beautiful sites, even after 24 years!
Posted on 06/09/2004 12:56:34 PM PDT by quidnunc
On July 15, 1979, President James Earl Carter delivered a speech to the nation that more than other defined his presidency and perhaps made him ripe for defeat at the hands of a Hollywood actor, ex-California Gov. Ronald Wilson Reagan.
As initially crafted, the speech was to talk about energy policy and the problems with long gas lines. But a truckers' strike in Pennsylvania that turned violent delayed its delivery. And over a 10-day period Carter met with a host of people at Camp David to mull over what the nation should do to face up to the energy crisis.
The conclusion that Carter drew, with the help of his pollster Pat Caddell, wasn't that the nation simply faced an energy crisis but a fundamental threat to its core values.
"After listening to the American people I have been reminded again that all the legislation in the world can't fix what's wrong with America. So, I want to speak to you first tonight about a subject even more serious than energy or inflation. I want to talk to you right now about a fundamental threat to American democracy. I do not mean our political and civil liberties. They will endure. And I do not refer to the outward strength of America, a nation that is at peace tonight everywhere in the world, with unmatched economic power and military might."The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. We can see this crisis in the growing doubt about the meaning of our own lives and in the loss of a unity of purpose for our nation.
"The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America."
The speech was a shocker, especially as it came from a man who in his first inaugural had spoken of making "a government as good and as competent and as compassionate as the American people." Competent and compassionate, but lacking in confidence?
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at techcentralstation.com ...
Carter analyzed confidence. Reagan internalized confidence.
Carter studied confidence. Reagan exuded confidence.
Carter lost. Reagan won.
If Carter is allowed to speak at the Funeral he's have only one word to say to President Reagan.
THANKS!
Interest rates over 23% on some types of debts...
Cubans in Angola...
Soviets in Afgahnistan...
Soviet proxies- mainly Cuban- in Yemen, and Central America, and many other places, too. Let me spell it out for you- at the time 60% of our oil came via the Gulf of Mexico, and the Soviets were aiming to interdict our oil lifeline- is that serious enough?
Gasahol, because gas was getting expensive...
There was more, but that's enough to give you the picture, why many of us- myself included- swore Mr. Carter had to go.
The retired and others living on fixed incomes took a terrible hit to their purchasing power.
Stagflation!
Abandone3d the Shah of Iran who had been the regions stabilizing influence against islamofacism as well as a check on the Russian influence.
What would thew world be like today had Carter stood firm behind the Shah?
regards,
The company I worked for bought a new piece of capital equipment and spare parts in 1979. We paid 21 1/2 percent interest on $1.25 million.
He and Ronnie between them changed me from a Nixon-hating Democrat to a Republican.
-"Abandoned the Shah of Iran who had been the regions stabilizing influence against islamofacism as well as a check on the Russian influence."-
Carter sparked the whole ugly mess of today. He should apologize to the world for it.
I remember his "strong letter" to the Soviets for invading Afghanistan. I'm suprised Gorby and the rest of the Kremlin boys didn't die laughing.
I think that's what killed Breshnev.
Yep, I owned and ran retail stores at the time, and servicing debt was gawd-awful... put a real crimp in doing business. To say nothing of what it did to young families trying to buy a home.
You are spot on. The carter administration was a total mess.
(Btw, I was born when FRD was president. I don't remember him too well. I was a kid. I do remember Truman and Ike, etc. Up until the 'Toon was elected, I considered Carter to be the worst president we ever had.)
So, how did the good guys get to be known as the "Red States"?
I don't know.
Damn! I was hoping that said BURYING CARTER!
soon I hope.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.