Patriotic Thought of the Week

John F. Kennedy on dealing with economic problems and threats to security

”if freedom is to survive and prosper, it will require the sacrifice, the effort and the thoughtful attention of every citizen.”

“Today we need a nation of minute men; citizens who are not only prepared to take up arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as a basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom. The cause of liberty, the cause of American, cannot succeed with any lesser effort.”

- President John F. Kennedy

Noted ‘Right Wing Extremist’ John F. Kennedy gave this speech more than 45 years ago, but it sounds like exactly what we face in the US today. While Kennedy was dealing with a ‘mild’ recession in 1961, and was speaking of the threat of Soviet Communism, we can easily substitute the current economic downturn and the threats of terrorism posed by Islamic extremist and the nuclear ambitions of ‘rogue’ regimes such as North Korea and Iran.

What is most notable is the plain language and willingness to confront the problems. And Kennedy’s solutions? On the economy, the program that ultimately succeeded was Tax Cuts for all, including the rich. You will recall his famous ‘rising tides lifts all boats’ analogy for why tax cuts to the wealthy stimulate an economy.

On the foreign crisis facing America, Kennedy strengthened defenses, prepared for war, and met challenges aggressively. Most will remember the Cuban Missile crisis, and although publicly it was a win for the US, it was really a mixed bag, but was proof that the young administration would not apologize for American strength and would meet aggression with force. Kennedy also created the Navy Seals, and committed US forces to Vietnam to contain the spread of communism.

When contrasting the modern Democrat response to the economy and threats to US security and sovereignty, one can only ask ‘what happened to the party of JFK?’

The full text of that speech and references are listed below.

With special thanks to friend and fellow patriot jamieez. Follow her at http://twitter.com/jamieez

Roosevelt Day Commemoration Message
January 29, 1961

This year, the celebrations of Roosevelt Day has special significance for Democrats everywhere; for we celebrate not only the triumphs of the past but the opportunities of the future.

Twenty-eight years ago Franklin Roosevelt assumed the leadership of a stricken and demoralized nation. Poverty, distress and economic stagnation blanketed the land. But it was not long before the great creative energies of the New Deal had lifted American from its despair and set us on the path to new heights of prosperity, power and greatness.

Today American is the richest nation in the history of the world. Our power and influence extend around the globe. Yet the challenges and dangers which confront us are even more awesome and difficult than those that face Roosevelt. And we too will need to summon all the energies of our people and the capacities of our leaders if America is to remain a great and free nation -- if we are to master the opportunities of the New Frontier.

The dimensions of our problems overwhelm the imagination. At home millions are unemployed and the growth of our economy has come to a virtual halt. Abroad, we are faced with powerful and unrelenting pressure which threaten freedom in every corner of the globe, and with military power so formidable that it menaces the physical survival of our own nation.

To meet these problems will require the efforts not only of our leaders or of the Democratic Party--but the combined efforts of all of our people.; No one has a right to feel that, having entrusted the tasks of government to new leaders in Washington, he can continue to pursue his private comforts unconcerned with American's challenges and dangers. For, if freedom is to survive and prosper, it will require the sacrifice, the effort and the thoughtful attention of every citizen.

In my own native state of Massachusetts, the battle for American freedom was begun by the thousands of farmers and tradesmen who made up the Minute Men -- citizens who were ready to defend their liberty at a moment's notice. Today we need a nation of minute men; citizens who are not only prepared to take up arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as a basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom. The cause of liberty, the cause of American, cannot succeed with any lesser effort.

It is this effort and concern which makes up the New Frontier. And it is this effort and concern which will determine the success or failure not only with Administration, but of our nation itself.
From: http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/Archives/Reference+Desk/Roosevelt+Day+Commemoration+Message.htm
Source: White House Central Subject Files, Box 111, FDR

Other Information Sources:
"Know your Lawmakers" Guns Magazine, April 1960.
"Letter to President John F. Kennedy from the NRA", [NRAcentral.com].
"New Minute Men Urged by Kennedy" New York Times, 30 Jan, 1961, pg. 13.
"Kennedy Says U.S. Needs Minute Men" Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan, 1961, pg. 4.
"Minutemen's Soft-Sell Leader: Robert B. DePugh", New York Times, 12 November 1961, pg. 76..
With special thanks to friend and fellow patriot jamieez. Follow her at http://twitter.com/jamieez
Copyright 2009 Reprint permitted with the following citation:
TJPaine
Un^Common Sense
Dedicated to the Advancement of Americanism
http://uncommonsense-tpaine.blogspot.com/
Follow me at http://twitter.com/tpaineus