The Progressives--A Long Range Plan--Part 4

Wilson's first term concentrated on issues dealing with domestic policy. The Revenue Act passed in 1913 lowered tariffs and gave us the 16th Amendment imposing the Federal Income Tax. The 17th Amendment, being considered by some for repeal, gave us the direct election of senators now no longer responsible to the citizens of their home state. The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 provided a central banking system so that we had flexible currency and the rediscounting of commercial paper. We gained the Federal Farm Loan Act that provided federal assistance to farmers and established the National Park system with the National Park Service Act of 1916. And let's not forget the Clayton Antitrust Act and its impositions on big business.

Wilson's second term was taken up by World War I or "the war to end all wars." To Wilson's credit he did not rush the country into the war in Europe until certain issues forced his hand. He did offer to mediate the war and he did not move to build up the army probably something he regretted. His comment to the peace faction in the US was that an army build up would be to provocative. Indeed, Wilson got himself in trouble in Philadelphia while making a speech where he declared that "sometimes a nation can be too proud to fight."

Wilson was not inactive when it came to criticizing the warring nations. He warned Germany about her submarine warfare because the Germans made it perfectly clear they would attack those who supplied England.That came true when the Lusitania was sunk by German subs killing American passengers. One would think that the sinking of the Lusitania would be enough to cause America to go to war but that was not the case because the Germans promised to restrict submarine attacks to combatants. That did not work because Germany was losing the war.

The issues that took America into World War I were the Zimmerman note and Germany's decision to renew unrestricted submarine warfare on noncombatants. Germany made overtures to Mexico. They suggested that Mexico invade the United States and when Germany won the war Mexico would be given the land they had lost to the US. This infuriated Wilson and he asked and received a declaration of war against Germany and her allies. Wilson told the public that this was a war to make "the world safe for democracy." It was America's entrance into the war that caused the defeat of Germany and her allies Austria-Hungary and Turkey.

What we need to pay attention to is what happened at home after Wilson took us to war. The Congress passed and Wilson signed the Espionage Act in 1917. This made it illegal to pass information on to the enemy or convey false information to any branch of the United States military.

In 1918, the Sedition Act was passed. It prohibited citizens from speaking, printing, or writing anything bad about the United States government or military. Government officials such as the postmaster general had the power to stop the delivery of mail if he deemed it to come under the Sedition or Espionage Act. All foreign publications had to be translated and approved by censors. If American publications did not obey their newsprint could be shut off effectively ending their ability to publish.

Citizens were not to speak out against the government in their own homes. Jonah Goldberg points out in his work, "Liberal Fascism" that a man in Wisconsin was put in jail for two and a half years for criticizing a fund raising drive by the Red Cross. Another incident concerned a movie showing British troops committing atrocities during the American Revolution got the producer a ten year jail term. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes stated that these actions, that saw tens of thousands of Americans being arrested, were constitutional. Does any of this sound familiar?

Historically speaking, my history teachers and professors taught that this was all okay. One came away with the impression that all these policies and all the new government agencies created to implement these policies were necessary to help the downtrodden and create a safe home front. We had emergencies that we had to deal with and only the government could do that. Now an expanse of time has passed and we are able to do a critical analysis of the Progressives. Good causes or not the Progressives showed a willingness to interfere in areas not supported by the Constitution. They did this and do this because they believe that we are unable to fulfill the legacy left to us by Thomas Jefferson and the Founding Fathers. Thus government must take over and direct us and spend our money for us. Government knows best.

With the passage of time we can see clearly the path of the new Progressives who by changing their name from liberals, what they became at the end of the Wilsonian era, are going back to their roots. They speak of unity and centralization. They believe that government knows best. They constantly speak of change something that has devastated our education system. They bring wars that seem to need fighting yet they are wars to enhance their grip on our country. In the words of the immortal Pogo, "We have met the enemy and he is us." And that "us" can show up as a Progressive liberal or a compassionate conservative Republican.

The Progressives--A Long Range Plan--Part 1

One of my major concerns and gripes about America and Americans was our inability to look into the future and make a plan for it. Other nations, most notably China, have been able to develop policies that seem to take into account what the world might be like decades out and maybe even longer. But I must admit that I have erred about this for the Progressives did develop a plan and it is being put into place.

The term Progressive Era conjures up in the mind of many people progress. Indeed progress was made. There are, however, two questions that must be asked. What type of progress was made and at what cost, if any, to the populace and our system of government as described in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

The Progressives came into being because of the turmoil in this country during the time period spanning 1890-1920. Unions were attempting to make headway on matters such as wages and benefits. Radical political elements were in place ranging from populists, to socialists and anarchists. Striking workers engaged in battles not only with management, they also rioted in the streets and fought the local and state police. The political elements wanted to overthrow the government and replace it with their own brand. Enter the Progressives.

To put it bluntly, the Progressives believed that the best way to solve the nation's problems was through centralization and government regulation. Regulate the big companies referred to as Trusts and if necessary force them to break into smaller entities. Keep in mind that the Constitution would have to be ignored and Teddy Roosevelt was willing to do just that.

Teddy was a piker when compared to Woodrow Wilson. At first glance Wilson looks like a meek, mild manner college president and indeed he was. He served as President of Princeton from 1902-1910. Wilson believed that since Congress was so cantankerous and all they did was write legislation nothing was really being accomplished. Wilson, therefore, recommended that we change our government to the parliamentary system with a concentration of power in the hands of the prime minister. That, we know, did not happen.

What did happen was World War I. It gave Wilson his opportunity to do what he believed was necessary, putting power into the hands of the government. War allows this to happen.

Wilson formed the War Industries B0ard or WIB. It was chaired by Bernard Baruch who was then charged with getting the business men to love and embrace the state. Jonah Goldberg in his book "Liberal Fascism" cites Grosvenor Clarkson the historian of the WIB,"'It was an industrial dictatorship without parallel---a dictatorship by force of necessity and common consent which step by step at last encompassed the Nation and united it into a coordinated and mobile whole.'" Now your initial reaction to that might be sure, the nation comes together to fight a the war and we cannot abide a lot of nonsense. You would be correct but what this did was teach the Progressives that war could be a good thing for their goals.

The Regulator--Michelle Obama

Recently Mrs. Obama told an audience that Americans were not poor because they were frugal, they were poor because they were sick. She explained that people were unable to pay their insurance or co-pay and that the government programs just weren't working but not to worry, Barack was going to solve all our problems when it came to health care.

By way of full disclosure I must tell you that I taught for 32 years and had a very good health package. It covered hospitalization, drug, and dental problems. It was so good that I did not even worry about it. I retired in 1999 and still have that package, it was part of my golden parachute. However, when I turn 65 next year that will all go away and I will have that fun government program medi something and will have to have a something part 2 to go along with it. I believe I am also entitled to a drug plan but maybe I will just go to Wal-Mart for my drugs. I know this sounds a bit light hearted on my part and it that was my intent. I have been very fortunate when it comes to my health. I had strep throats when I was a kid and found out I was allergic to sulfa drugs. I get a cold every once in awhile, usually if I don't get enough sleep and get worn down. I am back running 3.5 miles every other day and want to set up my barbells in the basement for some lifting. I sell real estate and am constantly on the move or my posterior. I come from a family with good genes. As to the health policy part 2 I will get, I am going to let Mrs. Miller look into that because she is already on that medi something.

Mrs. Obama is not concerned about your health. She is concerned about running your life and the life of everyone in America because she and Obama are much smarter then we are and will do a better job of picking your insurance and everything else in your life.

Folks we were once known as the land of the free and the home of the brave. We are rapidly on our way to being the land of the totally regulated and home of the biggest sissies in the whole wide world. Is that what you want for yourself and your kids?

Our problem is that we have forgotten black and white. Yes, I know, how about gray. Forget about it. Do you know the difference between what is right and wrong, good and evil? Does someone really have to tell you that you should not eat a gallon of ice cream at one sitting? Do you not know the evils of tobacco? Will you go crazy if your spouse wants to enjoy a nice cigar or a bowl of ice cream? I could go on but I think I have made my point.

Health care is not a tough issue and I say this claiming no expertise at all in the matter. Instead of your employer buying a one plan fits all for the company, you purchase it. You can have it customized to your own specifications. Make sure that as you get older you can alter it--you might want eyecare for you and the kids. Oh, and when you get older remove the section on pregnancy--it will save you a bundle just like it did when you were pregnant with those little bundles of joy.

Here is the key problem, how do you pay for it? By being frugal in your life and planning on it for yourself and your family. I hate to tell you this but health care is not a right and it never should be. People want the government to take care of this big ticket item so they can spend their money on their wants instead of their needs. The hell with the kids' health insurance we'll buy a new vette for me instead.

If we let the government in to take care of our health care we will suffer and lose control of our lives. They will make decisions for us and our loved ones we will not like. And yes, there are people out there who will be only to happy to do the evil. Tell the senator and his bride that you know the difference between good and evil. Tell them you don't want another government program placed on the backs of future generations. Then go out and have that chocolate malt ice cream on top of your apple pie.