Episode 68 Hour of Decision: FDR (2): Revolution Within the Form

Lew discusses the conditions where a crisis becomes an opportunity, an hour of decision, if you would. Lew quotes Steinbeck’s description of the effects of FDR ag policy in the Salinas Valley in California. He talks about the negative aspects of Social Security, and particularly about the effect of the Aid to Dependent children on blacks. Ever slippery, FDR cartooonists depict FDR as looking into the mirror and seeing several visages of himself.Roosevelt outdid himself supporting the segregationists of the South while increasing his share of the black vote in the north. New Deal corruption caused aid earmarked for the south to be rerouted to swing districts in the north where the funds could impact electoral races there.FDR tripled taxes which brought more unemployment, more confusion to business tax payers, and more resources to the IRS, who FDR used to punish some of his foes.