When the stock market crashed in 1929, the path opened for a fundamental change to begin in the representative republican form of government. Actually, the change began with Herbert Hoover, and while a conservative in private, he was a socialist in governing. He put in place the means for the methods FDR instituted in 1933 to stop the depression.

All manner of programs were created and installed by FDR with help of Congress and a Supreme Court that was beaten down by a threat from Roosevelt to replace the justices with those who would declare his programs constitutional. Not wanting to be kicked off the court, the justices acquiesced to FDR and the New Deal became a republic destroying reality. The New Deal creep began slowly and as soon as the people saw that government was there to help, the resistance to intrusion into the private affairs of the republic began to wane. Along with Roosevelt’s ability to connect with people, a champion of the people was born to the detriment of the Constitutional form of government. The limits on government provided for by Article One Section Eight, fell by the wayside, and like a runaway train gaining speed, socialism began roaring though the land.

Though members of Congress objected to the New Deal at first, they soon saw the advantage of being on FDR’s side and used his popularity to win their re-elections.  It didn’t take long for schools of education to pick up the New Deal theme and ways of doing things. The founders began to disappear from textbooks, being replaced by the new form of government installed by FDR. As the FDR juggernaut rolled along, more and more people began to look to FDR and his minions to help them through life; Social Security in 1935, the minimum wage in 1938; adding programs to the Agriculture Department that began to intrude into all areas of life, to name three of his initiatives. 

Having received the impetus from FDR to expand government, Congress embarked on a quest to grow the government and expand its power. The more power that Congress claimed, the more people looked to the government for their daily needs. Authors of textbooks used in public education promoted the programs and a very subtle brainwashing began among the youth as they heard that government is the answer   to life’s problems. Government began to replace parents as the provider for the children. School lunchrooms are now under the auspices of the Agriculture Department. Parents drop off their children at school early so they can eat a government-supported breakfast at a reduced price or for free. Some schools provide the evening meal as well. A people that was once fiercely independent, now have people who are dependent on the government for their daily bread. Is it any wonder that more and more people think that the government owes them something? That is the legacy of FDR and there isn’t any end in sight.

© 01-09-2010 DEC