Should the Next President Implement a New Deal Like FDR

With what seems like America falling apart at every seam, Do you think the next President should implement a New Deal comparable to FDR Administration?

In Roosevelt's first Hundred Days many acts were introduced which were to form the basis of the New Deal. The New Deal was to cover as many issues as could be imagined - be they social, economic, financial etc. The wave of popularity that had swept Roosevelt into power meant that parts of the New Deal were passed without too much scrutiny. In later years many acts in the New Deal were deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of America.

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Although some of these programs probably overstepped their boundaries, many have been beneficial up to this date. Social security has helped to take care of it's elders. The Fair Labor standards Act has helped the average worker.

Should we revive the Home Owners Loan Corporation Act to help pay off mortgages so homeowners don't lose their house?

Should we create programs like Works Progress Administration to help rebuild our aging infrastructure?

I realize the National debt is already at an outrageous amount, but I feel that many issues will have to be tackled at once. This will cost us money and lots of it. However, it will make us more competitive in the future. I honestly feel that the longer we take to address issues like healthcare, social security, terrorism, infrastructure, immigration, our finance system, banking system, credit system, energy problems, etc.. the costlier it will be to us financially, socially, and economically.

to sum this all up I like this quote I found in this article.

A new New Deal wouldn't require another alphabet soup of federal agencies, micromanaging every aspect of the economy. It would simply ensure that federal spending is driven by the needs of every American. Anything less than this -- any proposal that rewards those who created the problem and penalizes those who can least afford it -- is a raw deal.

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Seems like everything Bush and Congress has done so far is the direct opposite. Americans are getting a raw deal.

reply to post by jam321


Wow. I'm pleased to say that I think we agree on something.

I hope we do get a "new deal" of sorts. Nothing unconstitutional, of course, but some sweeping changes sounds like a great idea to me.

I admit to ignorance of McCain's intentions in his first hundred days, but I know Obama is going to look at every line in the budget and see where it can be cut. I fully expect a lot of money to be slashed from the budget and to go into his other programs.

I'm ready for a new deal. Like you said, we've been given a raw deal (nice play on words) and it's time for something different.

Interesting, I was watching a program about the presidents just last night (I think it was on the history channel) and the bit I saw featured FDR.

I admit I was wondering if we needed a "New Deal" to get things going again.

According to the program, the New Deal actually didn't do as much as hoped to quickly generate numbers to turn the economy around.

However - it did create an enormous amount of "good will" between the government and the people. What I mean is while things were in reality not that much better, people felt better. They felt the goverment cared, they felt the government was actually doing "something". So, while in their pocketbook they might not be much better off - they were happier than before and that counts. It counts a lot. The people had faith again that things would get better. I'm not sure you can put a $ value on that - but it *is* a pretty huge thing.

The article went on to say what really did provide the #'s to get the economy going was the huge manufacturing boost for WW2.


So, if a new "New Deal" will fix things great. If it will only help some but will make us happier as a nation - that is not a bad thing at all either.

Having worked in the parks I know the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)working through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) made a huge impact in beautifying the parks and roadsides of America and contributed to a sense of American bounty. Some of the logwork picnic shelters still stand to this day. We need to vastly improve our infrastructure and make progressive upgrades where needed. We need to get smart about how we spend money from the military to federal welfare programs. I am crossing my fingers and feeling optimistic about the future but expect things to get generally worse before they get much better.

Roosevelts new deal counted upon people actually wanting to work for a living.In this day and age you won't find people so willing as to dig ditches or do any hard labor.
In the new deal coming,there will have to be some people screwed out of their 401's and retirement.

reply to post by Frogs

they were happier than before and that counts. It counts a lot. The people had faith again that things would get better. I'm not sure you can put a $ value on that - but it *is* a pretty huge thing.

got to agree with you. Seems like all we have have been hearing for about a year is gloom and doom. I think if people started talking up the economy along with plans it will go a long way in making people feel better about the economy.