KafirChobee
06-12-2005, 08:35
Prior to 1929, there were no less than 11 recessions and minor depressions in the USA. They swallowed farm families whole - where some grew stronger, others migrated to the cities to attempt to survive. Where once a family was comfortable (working 12-16 hour days - 'cept Sunday, on their land to get by); now they worked 16 hour days in factories, mines, mills, slaughter houses, etc. 7 days a week and had to buy their goods from the company store - which kept them in debt and servitude to the "company".
Prior to 1929, people believed that everyone was on their own - families should provide and the governemnt be damned. For the old, well one relative or another would abide by them - 'til they could pawn them off on another one. Or, they died - starved, committed suicide, or ........
Prior to 1929, there was no "safety net" that permitted none but the very brave to take a chance at the gold ring. There were poor farms, where debtors paid off their debts or starved to death (with their entire family). The pay was absurd, and the price of a loaf of bread was often a days wages. One in debt, never got to the principle of what was owed - unless an outsider bailed them out. BTW, one could go to a poor farm for owing as little as $50 (the poor farms bought the debt - cool, huh?).
From 1930-35, tens of thousand (if not a million) of family farms were left bankrupt and the families dispossessed from their former traditional life style (and belief in America). We were a step away from our own October Revolution. And, why not? After all it seemed all the "governement cared about was "business as usual" and getting back to the good old days of stopping unionization, and continuining the growth the absolute wealthiest of families. (Sound familiar, yet?)
Then, something began to happen that really hadn't been thought of before - a president (his advisors) submitted a proposal that would create a "safety net" for the common folk, the elderly. Something that might assure that no American went hungry, and that the common man could take a risk and become wealthy (if he failed - well, his debt was forgiven). Social Security was born, and bankruptcy for the common man began (the Republicans Party has been trying to end them ever since - and are now within a breath of returning us to 1929).
Personally, I listened to the stories of my Grandparents - how they wrapped ham bones and placed them on top of the trash for a scavaging elder couple - and wept that they couldn't afford to do more. How entire families begged in the streets, and how some (to proud to do so) starved or committed suicide. End of one dream, beginning of another. How they lost their farm, after 130+ years and worked for others as "sharecroppers" of a sort. How a pig farmer (once the wealthiest man in the county) went nuts and slaughtered all his hogs - and then his family, and himself). How men sold (tried) cars worth a $1,000 for $10. How, farmers had to sell their lands for a tenth of their value and move to the city. How, bankers claiming "banktuptcy" (under the law of the times) were still able to be the fronts for those acquiring the lands - seems some had cash - collatoral. [Think maybe the depressions, recessions might just be away for the truely wealthy to erase the rich? The new rich, that is.]
1935, FDR proposed a plan that assured that all Americans would be allowed a small assurance that their government cared about their welfare, and would not permit the elderly to go unrecognized for their contributions to the nation (their work, their service, their taxes). He created Social Security, and other programs that were meant to assure that the weakest amongst us could survive. Even if they had been unable to save moneys during it. After all, they had still paid taxes.
The Republicans of the time accused FDR of being a Communist (or atleast a Socialist), not caring enough for business and concerning the welfare of the nation as having something to do with its people. How nuts is that? After all, "The business of America, is business". Good old Slient Cal (Calvin Coolidge, the patrian saint of Reagan) said so.
I read something to day, that brought this rant to mind - I'ld like to share it. I already know the reception it will receive from those comfortable in the idea that 1929 can never happen to them. But, for the rest of you, I want to assure you there is a future ('til they assassinate him, of course).
http://www.washingtonspectator.com/articles/20050601obar
Atleast, we have one man willing to call Bush43's proposal for SS "reform" what it really is.
Please, read Osama's statement before calling him d____n____r. After all, if he can survive - he may be our Prez in 7 0r 11 years. [hope springs eternal that America can return to caring about Americans]
:balloon2:
Prior to 1929, people believed that everyone was on their own - families should provide and the governemnt be damned. For the old, well one relative or another would abide by them - 'til they could pawn them off on another one. Or, they died - starved, committed suicide, or ........
Prior to 1929, there was no "safety net" that permitted none but the very brave to take a chance at the gold ring. There were poor farms, where debtors paid off their debts or starved to death (with their entire family). The pay was absurd, and the price of a loaf of bread was often a days wages. One in debt, never got to the principle of what was owed - unless an outsider bailed them out. BTW, one could go to a poor farm for owing as little as $50 (the poor farms bought the debt - cool, huh?).
From 1930-35, tens of thousand (if not a million) of family farms were left bankrupt and the families dispossessed from their former traditional life style (and belief in America). We were a step away from our own October Revolution. And, why not? After all it seemed all the "governement cared about was "business as usual" and getting back to the good old days of stopping unionization, and continuining the growth the absolute wealthiest of families. (Sound familiar, yet?)
Then, something began to happen that really hadn't been thought of before - a president (his advisors) submitted a proposal that would create a "safety net" for the common folk, the elderly. Something that might assure that no American went hungry, and that the common man could take a risk and become wealthy (if he failed - well, his debt was forgiven). Social Security was born, and bankruptcy for the common man began (the Republicans Party has been trying to end them ever since - and are now within a breath of returning us to 1929).
Personally, I listened to the stories of my Grandparents - how they wrapped ham bones and placed them on top of the trash for a scavaging elder couple - and wept that they couldn't afford to do more. How entire families begged in the streets, and how some (to proud to do so) starved or committed suicide. End of one dream, beginning of another. How they lost their farm, after 130+ years and worked for others as "sharecroppers" of a sort. How a pig farmer (once the wealthiest man in the county) went nuts and slaughtered all his hogs - and then his family, and himself). How men sold (tried) cars worth a $1,000 for $10. How, farmers had to sell their lands for a tenth of their value and move to the city. How, bankers claiming "banktuptcy" (under the law of the times) were still able to be the fronts for those acquiring the lands - seems some had cash - collatoral. [Think maybe the depressions, recessions might just be away for the truely wealthy to erase the rich? The new rich, that is.]
1935, FDR proposed a plan that assured that all Americans would be allowed a small assurance that their government cared about their welfare, and would not permit the elderly to go unrecognized for their contributions to the nation (their work, their service, their taxes). He created Social Security, and other programs that were meant to assure that the weakest amongst us could survive. Even if they had been unable to save moneys during it. After all, they had still paid taxes.
The Republicans of the time accused FDR of being a Communist (or atleast a Socialist), not caring enough for business and concerning the welfare of the nation as having something to do with its people. How nuts is that? After all, "The business of America, is business". Good old Slient Cal (Calvin Coolidge, the patrian saint of Reagan) said so.
I read something to day, that brought this rant to mind - I'ld like to share it. I already know the reception it will receive from those comfortable in the idea that 1929 can never happen to them. But, for the rest of you, I want to assure you there is a future ('til they assassinate him, of course).
http://www.washingtonspectator.com/articles/20050601obar
Atleast, we have one man willing to call Bush43's proposal for SS "reform" what it really is.
Please, read Osama's statement before calling him d____n____r. After all, if he can survive - he may be our Prez in 7 0r 11 years. [hope springs eternal that America can return to caring about Americans]
:balloon2: