A NEW DEAL

morphus says on Mar 26, 2005, 11:33:

actually Roosevelt's "New Deal" projects did'nt do much. it only increased jobs by 1 or 2 percent. it was World War 2 that fixed the economy. Roosevelt took the credit. when Hoover was the president he said "the economy fixes itself". people thought he was crazy but he was right. WW2 is proof of that. unfortunately Hoover went down in history as the worse president in U.S. history while Roosevelt got lucky.

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YEP says on Mar 26, 2005, 11:39:

Well I'm not an expert in these matters but from what I've
noticed ... those countries not saying "how high" when IMF and the likes comes around with a plan has actually "performed" better than those who did.

I don't think that following one economic paradigma to fix the "problems" of a whole country. Can be that some sectors should be run that way and others in a mix of "semi regulated" paradigma.

This is of course just a very short input to the discussion that I'm sure that more able users will have here ;-)


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miamimike says on Mar 26, 2005, 16:16:

Roosevelt's SS, GI Bill, FDIC. These are 3 very important pieces of legislation enacted by FDR that has helped the US immensly following the Great Depression.
SS-Social Security, FDIC-insurance to protect small savers bank accounts up to $100,000 and the GI Bill of Rights which enabled 1000s of returning servicemen to attend College and recieve an Education. "Lucky" for many of us and our parents FDR enacted these laws.I call it "Foresight" on FDR's part.


1929 to 1941)

Franklin D. Roosevelt
1933-1945

E-Texts
Fact Sheet
Outline of American History: War, Prosperity and the Depression
Outline of American History: New Deal and WW II
FDR's First Fireside Chatt
US-Geschichte Deutsch
In October 1929 the stock market crashed, wiping out 40 percent of the paper values of common stock and triggering a worldwide depression. By 1933 the value of stock on the New York Stock Exchange was less than a fifth of what it had been in 1929. Business houses closed their doors, factories shut down and banks failed. Farm income fell some 50 percent. By 1932 approximately one out of every four Americans was unemployed. The core of the problem was the immense disparity between the country's productive capacity and the ability of people to consume. Great innovations in productive techniques during and after the war raised the output of industry beyond the purchasing capacity of U.S. farmers and wage earners.

The presidential campaign of 1932 was chiefly a debate over the causes and possible remedies of the Great Depression. The Republican Herbert Hoover planned to depend largely on natural processes of recovery, while the Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt was prepared to use the federal government's authority for bold experimental remedies. Roosevelt was elected president on the platform of a "New Deal" for the American people.

In a certain sense, it is fair to say that the New Deal merely introduced types of social and economic reform familiar to many Europeans for more than a generation. What was truly novel about the New Deal, however, was the speed with which it accomplished what previously had taken generations. Within three months, Roosevelt enacted a number of laws to help the economy recover. New jobs were created by undertaking the construction of roads, bridges, airports, parks and public buildings. The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) passed by Congress in 1933 to provide economic relief to farmers, helped increase farm income. But throughout the 1930s, and in particularly from 1935 to 1938, a severe drought hit the Great Plains states and violent wind and dust storms ravaged the plains in what became known as the "Dust Bowl."

The New Deal sponsored a remarkable series of legislative initiatives and achieved significant increases in production and prices -- but it did not bring an end to the Depression. In the face of pressures from left and right, President Roosevelt backed a new set of economic and social measures (Second New Deal), among them measures to fight poverty, to counter unemployment with work and to provide a social safety net. The Works Progress Administration (WPA), the principal relief agency of the so-called second New Deal, was an attempt to provide work rather than welfare. Buildings, roads, airports and schools were constructed. Actors, painters, musicians and writers were employed through the Federal Theater Project, the Federal Art Project and the Federal Writers Project. But the New Deal's cornerstone was the Social Security Act of 1935. It created a system of insurance for the aged, unemployed and disabled based on employer and employee contributions. In 1936, Roosevelt won an even more decisive victory than in 1932.

Abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.

Background
· American Cultural History: 1920-1930 | 1930-1939 (Kingwood College Library)
· Building America: FDR's New Deal (Marist College)
· Riding the Rails (PBS)
· Tennessee Valley Authority
· Timetable U.S. Diplomatic History: Diplomacy of Isolationism (U.S. Department of State)

Original Documents
· Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy (Avalon Project, Yale University): 20th Century Documents
· Fireside Chats of FDR (Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library)
· History in Song: The Depression and the New Deal (Universität Mainz)
· Online Copyright Free Photos: Great Depression and New Deal (Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library)
· Presidential Statements on Social Security (Social Security Administration)

Exhibits - Digital Images
· A New Deal for the Arts (National Archives)
· Michigan Historical Museum: Great Depression
· Voices from the Dust Bowl (Library of Congress)

For High School Students
· American Elementary Schools: 1930s (ThinkQuest)
· Decades in 20th Century America (Alameda County Library)
· Jump Back in Time - Depression & WWII (Library of Congress)
· New Deal Network

Teacher Resources
· Academic Info: The Depression & New Deal Era
· Brother, Can You Spare A Dime? (American Memory - Library of Congress)
· Lessonplans Dust Bowl Days (EDSITEment)
· National Archives: Teaching with Documents: The Great Depression and WWII (1929 - 1945)
· USA: Geschichte, Gesellschaft, Wirtschaft: Weg zur Weltmacht 1898 - 1945 (Informationen zur Politischen Bildung) Deutsch

Link Lists
· Social Security History Page (Social Security Administration)
· WWW-Virtual Library: USA: 1920 - 1929
· WWW-Virtual Library: USA: 1930 - 1939


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"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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stanmoonie says on Mar 26, 2005, 16:24:

Morphus

Hoover's problem was he was not doing nothing for no one. How do you think Roosevelt kept getting elected? He at least tried to do something, WWII did not start for us until Dec 7 1941. But I do agree that it used up enough resources that the economy actually started to move ahead about 11 years later.

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Miguel says on Mar 26, 2005, 16:25:

New Deal So what if it "only increased jobs by 1 or 2 percent"; more important is that it indeed increase employment after the Depression. Nice try at revisionist history, but that dog don't hunt.

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miamimike says on Mar 26, 2005, 16:33:

The Colombian Government could... be more Proactive in attracting tourists, retirees, ect. The Government could spend more Money in attracting tourists--go to one of those New York Spin or Image remaking firms, drop some serious $$$ and help redo colombia's Global image. Look at Puerto Rico-they spend some big money on promoting tourism and its working, same for the DR, Mexico.Emphasize the postives, other countries are doing it and to an extent, its working.

Colombia could also look at Nicaragua, Honduras and Panama as far as their "Pensionado" Programs for retired Foreigners. These 3 countries offer some dynamite incentive programs to attract these residents and their "Guarenteed hard currency" retirement checks. They offer Fast track residency, tax breaks on imported vehicles and household belongings of the retirees, discounted medical insurance, medicine,ect. Its working-the "Stats" show lots of Retirees heading there to these 3 countries. A country has to make it less complicated for a new resident; unlike Colombia, where just the opposite appears to be transpiring.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Sonny says on Mar 26, 2005, 16:41:

where do you get Where do you get your information? FDR was lucky? We were lucky to have him. S.S., FDIC, GI bill, making people feel there is hope and maybe even POLIO that all countries enjoy not have a problem with any longer. You need to read up on history a bit more. There is nothing else that can be added to Miamimikes statement. It is pretty complete and serves and your history lesson for this date in history.
Good to hear from you MM

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kernow62 says on Mar 26, 2005, 18:38:

MiamiMike, that might help, but in the news all most folks hear is about the negative. So even if the money is spent for advertising the fact remains the State Dept. warnings and bad news coming out of Colombia may mean that money is wasted.

The best advertising would be good news coming out of Colombia and an increase in safety, or at least a perceived increase in safety. If there was an internal conflict in DR or PR do you think advertising would be as successful?

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Sr Tertius says on Mar 26, 2005, 18:55:

Applicability "So theoretically speaking, if the economic problems are gone, then the social violence part will go"

This is the part of the equation that doesn't work. I don't know if you were around in the 80s, when people used to say about Colombia that "its economy is good, it's the country that is f*cked". It was indicative of the distance between our economic indices (which were quite positive for LatAm standards) and our political situation.

Colombia's economy exploded in 1998, when we couldn't continue living "al debe" as a consequence of deregulatory measures taken in the early 90s (it wasn't ALL Samper's fault; in fact, he tried to veer off the iceberg, but failed).

The current government has failed to explain us how FTAA is going to help, without using the same arguments that were used for the "apertura", which clearly failed. Fortunately, examples like Argentina, Ecuador and Bolivia are cautionary tales that have put a lot of pressure on this government not to concede everything to the US -as it has in other areas.

Fixing the economy is a necessary but insufficient condition to solve our internal conflict. Many other factors must be considered.

I'm not sure what should be done to fix the economy, but I have a proposal (call it Tertius' New Deal): let's legalize all drugs, from production to retail, within the Colombian territory. Have the DIAN tax it, and INVIMA verify its quality. Let's charge for licenses to sell psychotropics, and only to adults. Guarantee a minimum wage for "raspachines". And let's make a deal with the US and Western Europe: if they are willing to foot the bill, we will make sure that no merchandise goes beyond our borders. In other words, take the business from the thugs and regulate it. Imagine that! Not only retirees, but all sorts of people will come to Colombia in narco-tours, spending money and buying taxed products of high quality that can be consumed in the comfort of your hotel room (or narco-bar!). We already have the stereotype: let's use it in a productive way.

"El que a hierro mata..."

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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Mr. Hollywood says on Mar 26, 2005, 19:08:

Suggest a little research "In Colombia large sums of money are spent in buying weapons and military equipment. Is it not time that we start producing our own weaponry? "

Uh, I suggest you do a web search on "indumil". Colombia is a big producer of weapons and military technology for both domestic and foreign consumption. Hasn't fixed the economy yet, but I'm sure it's not hurting either.

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morphus says on Mar 26, 2005, 20:07:

true "These are 3 very important pieces of legislation enacted by FDR that has helped the US immensly following the Great Depression.
SS-Social Security, FDIC-insurance to protect small savers bank accounts up to $100,000 and the GI Bill of Rights which enabled 1000s of returning servicemen to attend College and recieve an Education. "Lucky" for many of us and our parents FDR enacted these laws.I call it "Foresight" on FDR's part".

FDR did a good job with that. Colombia could use social security. the only problem with capitalism is if the country does'nt have a lot of resources, not everybody can prosper at the same time. even in the U.S. if you divided up all the money evenly everybody would only have a few hundred dollars. so in reality governments don't want everybody to prosper.

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Sonny says on Mar 26, 2005, 20:43:

A LOT OF HUMOR IN YOUR WRITING BUT Running for office in Colombia is still something you can do you know. It is never to late to make all of these changes you think will work. Reading your post is like reading a comic book or watching a cartoon. The good thing is that I can turn the channel or close the book. Be the solution and not the problem. Don't write about it do something about it. Put your knowledge to work for your country. Raise your hand and be heard, speek to the leaders not the sites, run for the office you think you can do the most good not run from the office you complain about. You don't like where you live? Move! DOn't like the people? Vote them out. Don't like the bad in people? look for the good in them! If a friend falls in front of you , stand in his place.Remember this, big people talk about big things but little people talk about other people.
this is just my opinion and not intended to insult anyone nor is it intended to relate just to this person. He may be for real and believe what he writes and he had that right

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ARMacleod says on Mar 27, 2005, 05:51:

Sonny And again, without pointing fingers at anyone (when you point at someone, the other three fingers point at yourself).

Having settled over a lifetime of Lawyering, Soliciting, Doctoring, or just plain Gophering, It is not easy to suddenly turn to politicking. Each to his/her own as the saying goes. It does not mean that one has to keep quiet about the rights or wrongs of the system.

One can usually vote of course.

In Germany they came first for the Communists, I didn't speak up because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, I wasn't a Jew so I kept quiet. then they came for the trade unionists and again I did not speak because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, as I was a protestant I remained silent. Then they came for me, by that time there was no one to speak up for me.

.....Martin Niemoller....

Being of unsound mind and dubious disposition, I cannot be held legally liable for any indiscretions."¡El diablo me hizo hacerlo!" But don't worry, be happy.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

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dwmte says on Mar 27, 2005, 06:36:

the largest impediment to colombia's economic re birth and growth, is the problem that exists as a result of corruption...theft of the public monies. this is not something particularly colombian, it is rampant throughout latin america. but since we're talking about colombia, lets apply it here.

when those who control the purse...the politicians...steal from the public, they don't invest that money in colombia (would that they did) that money is taken out of the country and invested abroad ie miami, europe, etc.

no economy can flourish if it's gross product is not allowed to circulate within itself and reproduce itself.

the reason that the u.s. had an economy that literally exploded and kept on expanding, was that we didn't want to send money to anyone. whereas in latin america, they were/are sending money to the church, the king you name it. always drawing away the wealth and preventing it's circulation, reproduction and growth. here in the u.s. we didn't want anything to do with the king, the pope, etc. we have just kept the $$$here. we see the result.

if they can't stop the corruption, then convince the thieves to at very least, spend the money at home. it works every time.
dw

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Sr Tertius says on Mar 27, 2005, 08:14:

Colombia could use social security ???? Morphus: Have you heard of Ley 100/93?

http://www.secretariasenado.gov.co/leyes/L0100_93.HTM

Print it, read it, and we'll talk again.

BTW, I've been -reluctantly- following the discussion of private retirement accounts in the US. I'm amazed that there is no reference to previous experiences in the debate, like this is a brand new idea. In Colombia we've been living with private retirement accounts for over 10 years. The reviews are mixed and obviously not completely applicable to the US, but worth checking.


"El que a hierro mata..."

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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Sonny says on Mar 27, 2005, 09:05:

JamesVH In Germany they came first for the Communists, I didn't speak up because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, I wasn't a Jew so I kept quiet. then they came for the trade unionists and again I did not speak because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, as I was a protestant I remained silent. Then they came for me, by that time there was no one to speak up for me.

Because he or she did not speak up what happened to him or her?

Your point is well taken thus my reason for saying stand up and be heard. Don't complain, do something. Don't set back and watch it happen make a difference, can it hurt, you bet it can but it is better to say I tried and failed then to have done nothing but complain. Failure is a given. There was a man that failed 37 time. The 38th time he founded Federal Express. Actions make the difference not talk. This does not discount the right to say what ever you want but to make a difference you must get involved. Sometimes it take talk to give someone else the idea. Then you can say years later, " I had that Idea first"
This is how we got electricity, telephone, and even computers. Action. Your right as to the right to speak. Many of us fought for that right. I can even point my finger because I have no worry about the other fingers pointing toward me. I lost them in Viet Nam doing something.Have a good day and I promise that this is not an insult, nor was it intended to do any harm. Just my opinion is all.

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YEP says on Mar 27, 2005, 09:17:

Sr T .... why don't you enlighten
then non reading/speaking community in here on that ;-)

Not to defend anyone ..... but sometimes going through things one extra time can make a difference (new person / new set of eyes / new spinoffs from old ideas).

The thing that they actually use some time for this is better than just being totally ignorant about the issue as a whole.


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Sr Tertius says on Mar 27, 2005, 09:24:

That, things, this, issue I'm sorry YEP, but I couldn't make sense of your request. Could you clarify it, please?

"El que a hierro mata..."

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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YEP says on Mar 27, 2005, 09:43:

Sr T
Does the material you referred to exist in english !!

For the second part:
It's always good that people take interest in a matter maybe they can contribute. But with the material you referred to in Spanish people will have to take their home-country as example or simply just write what they have on their minds.

When new people look at a case they might come up with new usable novel ideas or ideas based on old ones.

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ARMacleod says on Mar 27, 2005, 10:10:

Sonny. None taken and none given (insult I mean) I feel that I agreed with everyones point of view.

Sorry to hear about the digits though, the only thing that I lost in my service was my sense of proportion and a growing inability to 'suffer fools gladly' (I put the latter down to advancing senility)

Pax vobiscum

James.


Being of unsound mind and dubious disposition, I cannot be held legally liable for any indiscretions."¡El diablo me hizo hacerlo!" But don't worry, be happy.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

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Sr Tertius says on Mar 27, 2005, 10:13:

YEP I didn't mean to stir up a discussion about "comparative legislation", or whatever it is called. I made reference to the actual law that regulates social security and health in Colombia (inexistent according to Morphus), which is, as far as I know, only written in Spanish. However, there are plenty of commentaries in English that may give you a gist of the law:

http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2002-2003/americas/colombia.html

(It seems to be up to date, but I'm not sure)

Tinto: I missed those articles. I hope more people use them when speculating about what will happen on any of various scenarios -adapted, of course, to the US. In the meanwhile, I lost complete interest in the topic.

"El que a hierro mata..."

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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YEP says on Mar 27, 2005, 10:47:

Well ... and has also been touched/covered here on
PBH ;-) Maybe not in total detail ... but a nice glimpse of what is there in Col.

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YEP says on Mar 27, 2005, 10:50:

The problem of getting help/support and such for Colombia
is that Colombia isn't the only country around that could need some.

I'm not saying that Colombia(ns) shouldn't do something it self (themselves), but they'd need a "few" helping hands from outside of Colombia ;-)



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Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

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