My
generation does not have memory of any US presidential candidate
speaking so straightforward against the greedy elites, while
supporting the rights of the majority. Bernie Sanders frequently
refers to Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) during his speeches, and this
is another sign about his intentions, if he manage to get elected as
the next US president.
There
are at least two common characteristics with the FDR-era and the
Sanders-era. The first important characteristic, is that both came
out of a very difficult period for the United States, with the Great
Depression of 1929, and, the major economic crisis of 2008
respectively. Both these crises had major impact globally, directly
or indirectly. The second important characteristic, is that Bernie
Sanders senses already the hostility of the establishment, which is
shaped by the interests of the big banks and corporations. Similarly,
FDR faced this hostility of the same establishment, especially after
taking the presidency.
Back in
1933, when FDR got elected, he had to face the attack of the
corporate establishment, which was trying to fight his initiatives to
put the state in the front line for the restart of the US economy.
Public relations was something new. Edward
Bernays had admitted after decades that he was
searching at that time for a "smoothest" term instead of
"propaganda", to use it in favor of big corporations to
sell their products, at times of peace. Corporations used public
relations to present the private sector as a far better force than
the state, towards the wealth and prosperity. In reality, they were
only afraid that would lose significant profits from various
programs, taken over by the state to create jobs.
FDR
was aware of this type of propaganda by the corporate establishment
and the associated political elite. A quote from a Roosevelt's speech
is characteristic: “A few timid people, who fear progress, will
try to give you new and strange names for what we are doing.
Sometimes they will call it 'Fascism,' sometimes 'Communism,'
sometimes 'Regimentation,' sometimes 'Socialism.' But, in so doing,
they are trying to make very complex and theoretical something that
is really very simple and very practical.”
Despite
its imperfections, Roosevelt's "New Deal" created millions
of new jobs and new infrastructure for the benefit of all American
citizens, boosted some sectors such as agriculture, strengthened
social security and boosted the economy in general. The response of
Roosevelt, "of course we spend money", to his opponents,
captures the perception of his government, giving importance to the
prosperity and relief of people and not to the strict austerity for
the sake of economic indexes. Indeed, while in 1933 the national debt
was 20% of GDP, by 1936 this figure almost doubled, but what mattered
for Roosevelt was to relieve American citizens and give them hope and
perspective.
Current
model does not seem to be more successful, after all. On the
contrary: the debt continuously rise, reaching record numbers, but
the money go to the top instead of the bottom 99% who is getting
poorer.
Nearly
80 years later, the same type of propaganda is being used by the much
ruthless and powerful elite inside the dominant neoliberal doctrine,
to demonize anyone who dares to speak about social policies in favor
of the majority. But, remarkably, Bernie Sanders starts to change
that. He speaks openly about Democratic Socialism, yet his popularity
rises.
Under
Bernie Sanders, the state
will regain its power to rebuild the economy. It
will start to function for the benefit of the majority, not for the
benefit of the Wall Street mafia. And, most importantly, the United
States can become an example, bequeathing the reborn social model to
Europe and elsewhere, as it happened after WWII, thanks to the New
Deal heritage.
Indeed,
“Sen. Bernie Sanders will announce a plan for the federal
government to guarantee a job paying $15 an hour and health-care
benefits to every American worker 'who wants or needs one,' embracing
the kind of large-scale government works project that Democrats have
shied away from in recent decades. Sanders's jobs guarantee would
fund hundreds of projects throughout the United States aimed at
addressing priorities such as infrastructure, care giving, the
environment, education and other goals. ”
So,
the central message now is: FDR 2.0 for a big victory in 2020!
Another view for FDR
ReplyDeletehttp://www.voltairenet.org/IMG/pdf/Sutton_Wall_Street_and_FDR.pdf