Posted on 12/13/2011 3:17:02 PM PST by RobinMasters
If we’re all going to get in a tizzy over Mitt Romney’s past comments to the effect that he is a progressive, I think it only fair that we also work ourselves into a tizzy over some of Gingrich’s past comments — to wit, his repeated praise of big-government glorifier Franklin Delano Roosevelt, his warm words for Service Employees International Union head Andy Stern and his claim that he is a “Realpolitik Wilsonian.”
Two videos, both via The Blaze. In the first, Gingrich raves about FDR — over and over again. In the second, he proclaims himself a Wilsonian. In context, the latter doesn’t seem quite as concerning as the former, but some undertone still strikes me as ominous.
(Excerpt) Read more at hotair.com ...
Yeah, I've always said that the Oriental race will rule the world someday!
And Newt constantly reminds us that he was a Professor of History. (He sort of forgets to mention that he was also a Professor of Environmental Studies and, indeed, started the Environmental Studies Department at West Georgia College.)
As such, he should know better than most the problems with FDR and Wilson’s political ideology.
Read it and you see that FDR was the original Occupy Wall Street guy!
Therefore, in order to concentrate all our energies and resources on winning the war, and to maintain a fair and stable economy at home, I recommend that the Congress adopt: (1) A realistic tax law—which will tax all unreasonable profits, both individual and corporate, and reduce the ultimate cost of the war to our sons and daughters. The tax bill now under consideration by the Congress does not begin to meet this test.
(2) A continuation of the law for the renegotiation of war contracts—which will prevent exorbitant profits and assure fair prices to the Government. For two long years I have pleaded with the Congress to take undue profits out of war.
(3) A cost of food law—which will enable the Government (a) to place a reasonable floor under the prices the farmer may expect for his production; and (b) to place a ceiling on the prices a consumer will have to pay for the food he buys. This should apply to necessities only; and will require public funds to carry out. It will cost in appropriations about one percent of the present annual cost of the war.
[snip]
This Republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength, under the protection of certain inalienable political rights—among them the right of free speech, free press, free worship, trial by jury, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. They were our rights to life and liberty.
As our Nation has grown in size and stature, however—as our industrial economy expanded—these political rights proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness.
We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. "Necessitous men are not free men." People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.
In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all regardless of station, race, or creed.
Among these are:
The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the Nation;
The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;
The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;
The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;
The right of every family to a decent home;
The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
The right to a good education.
All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.
The U.S. didn’t enter the war until Europe was occupied by the Nazis and had its eye on Britain.
And then there was Pearl Harbor.
I do give FDR credit for his leadership in WWII.
However, the real problem here is not about who Roosevelt was, but rather the fact that Gingrichisms always have a way of rubbing conservatives the wrong way.
He says stuff that sounds as though he has no clue of the thinking of most conservatives on the point.
Personally, I am deeply troubled by Newt’s consultancy with Freddie Mac.
That he was paid millions to “build bridges to Republicans on Capitol Hill” while Republicans (the conservatives ones) were trying to scrap the GSEs altogether in an attempt to avert the crash that did come.
That, while taking money from Freddie Mac, he opposed Bush’s 2005 attempt to strengthen regulation of Freddie and Fannie — regulation that might have prevented the whole catastrophe of 2008 and maybe even would have kept Obama from even getting elected.
That when called on this matter in the last months, he said, “oh, I was working for Freddie as a historian” and “I told them their business model stinks.” Freddie Mac officials with whom Newt worked say otherwise.
I don’t know any conservative in their right mind who, for any reason or any dollar amount, would work to oppose regulation of Freddie Mac and to keep that economic sinkhole politically alive.
I agree with you.
But that doesn’t mean that it’s not appropriate to point out that FDR instituted some terrible things in this country, that we are still burdened with.
Sound familiar?
Yes, that's a Dem code word for Socialized Medicine.
Discussion on this thread starting at # 154, if you're interested.
Spot on!
It's one thing to have to vote for the guy because no one else has caught fire. But it's quite another to get amnesia about all the reasons you dumped him multiple times before.
I actually started the primary season inclined toward Newt. Hadn't kept up with him, but had heard him often on Hannity. But then I took a trip down Memory Lane, and also researched what he's been doing since he left office, and it sure dislodged a lot of those positives I had been feeling toward Gingrich's candidacy.
Republicans are not looking for a dictator: Republicans wish to select a choice for President who won't veto the bills produced by a Republican Congress.
...and after Pearl Harbor, Germany had to declare War on us!
Maybe Gingrich is just truthful and fearless.
Maybe.
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.