Impression, Not Reality, Is What Really Matters?
John Updike on the Great Depression:
My father had been reared a Republican, but he switched parties to vote for Roosevelt and never switched back. His memory of being abandoned by society and big business never left him and, for all his paternal kindness and humorousness, communicated itself to me, along with his preference for the political party that offered “the forgotten man” the better break. Roosevelt made such people feel less alone. The impression of recovery—the impression that a President was bending the old rules and, drawing upon his own courage and flamboyance in adversity and illness, stirring things up on behalf of the down-and-out—mattered more than any miscalculations in the moot mathematics of economics. Business, of which Shlaes is so solicitous, is basically merciless, geared to maximize profit. Government is ultimately a human transaction, and Roosevelt put a cheerful, defiant, caring face on government at a time when faith in democracy was ebbing throughout the Western world. For this inspirational feat he is the twentieth century’s greatest President, to rank with Lincoln and Washington as symbolic figures for a nation to live by.
Fortunately, Arthur Foulkes has recently written about some of the myths of the Great Depression, paying special attention to the insights of Morgan Reynolds and Murray Rothbard.
Comments (3)
By that "logic", George W. Bush should also be hailed among the great presidents. He is after all, to those who aren't bothered by miscalculations in the moot matters of diplomacy, creating an impression of spreading freedom, democracy, and believe it or not to some, free markets, to areas previously ruled by tyrants, and all to rid the globe of terrorism.
Published: June 28, 2007 11:41 AM
I’m not sure the Bush government will ever manage to make the people believe he did a „great job“ in Irak (The only way would be perhaps to spread the word now that he stopped one zillion terrorist plots to happen because of “intelligence reports” gathered over there … but really he has to hurry up with that strategy!)
It’s interesting though to read John Updike being so “politically enlightened”. I once read his old “Rabbit” best-seller…(anyone read that “Terrorist” book by the way? Sounds more political) and though it was quite moving, it is also one of the most depressing things I ever read. So it fits : you shouldn’t be afraid of the depressing truth if you are interested in true politics. But most artists sell nice dreams and therefore, seem to be oriented toward socialist politic. Bob Dylan - who’s a great songwriter no doubt with an unmatched sardonic touch - has such mainstream views on Roosevelt too…
Published: June 30, 2007 4:44 AM
FDR did more to strip the people of their liberties than any other president, bar none. His offensive actions taken to humble/humiliate the Supreme Court, his declaration that no one should be permitted to earn more than $25,000/year, his executive edicts to strip both businesses and individuals of their liberty, etc., etc., etc. The man was a monster!!!
Published: July 4, 2007 12:13 AM