Conservative Priorities
Over the weekend I visited the FDR Memorial in Washington, D.C., and I must say that of all the presidential memorials in the capital, this may be the best.
The memorial itself lacks the imposing columns of Lincoln's and the classical architecture of Jefferson's, but it nonetheless manages to be more impressive than either. It must cover more than 2 acres and progresses through four distinct sections, each representing one of FDR's terms. Granite blocks make up most of the solid structures, and these are punctuated by mini waterfalls, all of which are lit beautifully (night is the best time to visit).
The best part, however, is the FDR quotes cut into the rock structures. They have the obvious "we have nothing to fear but fear itself", but my favorite, and the one which most appropriately sums up both liberal politics and what the current administration is doing to betray these principles (and why) is the following:
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
If we apply this 'test' to current tax policy in Washington, much becomes clear. The non-partisan CBPP recently reported that in 2004 economic growth for 99% of the population was around 3-4%. For the wealthiest 1%, growth was 17%. In addition, the census bureau recently reported another increase in the number of people living in poverty. Of course, I could go on, and on, and on with these types of numbers.
Just a small reminder that adding to the abundance of those who have much is the priority ofthe Bush administration.
The memorial itself lacks the imposing columns of Lincoln's and the classical architecture of Jefferson's, but it nonetheless manages to be more impressive than either. It must cover more than 2 acres and progresses through four distinct sections, each representing one of FDR's terms. Granite blocks make up most of the solid structures, and these are punctuated by mini waterfalls, all of which are lit beautifully (night is the best time to visit).
The best part, however, is the FDR quotes cut into the rock structures. They have the obvious "we have nothing to fear but fear itself", but my favorite, and the one which most appropriately sums up both liberal politics and what the current administration is doing to betray these principles (and why) is the following:
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
If we apply this 'test' to current tax policy in Washington, much becomes clear. The non-partisan CBPP recently reported that in 2004 economic growth for 99% of the population was around 3-4%. For the wealthiest 1%, growth was 17%. In addition, the census bureau recently reported another increase in the number of people living in poverty. Of course, I could go on, and on, and on with these types of numbers.
Just a small reminder that adding to the abundance of those who have much is the priority ofthe Bush administration.
posted by Sparx at 15:40
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