Opinion FDR Was Right in 1944: We Need a Second Bill of Rights

luckyshot

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On January 11, 1944, in his last State of the Union speech, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt outlined the need for a second bill of rights. He understood that, in a democratic and civilized society, "freedom" is not limited to political rights. "Freedom" must mean economic rights as well. People are not "free" when they have to work 60 hours a week to put food on the table. People are not "free" when they cannot afford to go to the doctor when they are ill. People are not "free" when they are thrown out on the street because their company moved to China. People are not "free" when they are forced to live their senior years in poverty.

In a profoundly important speech which has gotten far too little attention, Roosevelt stipulated that every American has the fundamental right to:

1. A job.
2. An adequate wage and decent living.
3. A decent home.
4. Medical care.
5. Economic protection during sickness, accident, old age, or unemployment.
6. A good education.

In my view, 75 years later, the time has come to fulfill and expand upon FDR’s vision by guaranteeing everyone in America the right to universal healthcare through Medicare for All; a living wage; affordable tuition at public colleges and universities and a substantial reduction in student debt; high quality pre-K and childcare; paid family and medical leave; an expansion in Social Security; and safe and affordable housing.

These are not radical ideas –– they are supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans.

#maga... but really tho...
 
Didn't he put Japanese Americans in concentration camps?
 
Wow...I feel embarrassed. I didn't even know he made such a speech.

It's difficult to disagree with much he said.
 
But these are all Positive Rights and would expand government.

The Bill of Rights are specific restrictions on government.
 
They don’t count nor do women and people of color
Amazing how we've advanced so much in some areas (over the kicking and screaming of many segments of the population, by the way) but still haven't advanced at all in others.
But these are all Positive Rights and would expand government.

The Bill of Rights are specific restrictions on government.
Philosophically, freedom is both negative and positive.

Negative freedom is freedom from something being done to you; positive freedom is the ability to do or achieve something.

Rights work the same way. Many countries have positive rights outlined in their Constitutions. You don't lose any of the "negative rights" by adding some positive rights.
 
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Sorry old white man, the world is no longer yours.
 



Sorry old white man, the world is no longer yours.

Quick, derail!

Also, if you want to quote George Takei, chew on this:

‘At Least During the Internment …’ Are Words I Thought I’d Never Utter - George Takei

At least during the internment of Japanese-Americans, I and other children were not stripped from our parents. We were not pulled screaming from our mothers’ arms. We were not left to change the diapers of younger children by ourselves. At least during the internment, when I was just 5 years old, I was not taken from my parents. My family was sent to a racetrack for several weeks to live in a horse stall, but at least we had each other

https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/06/1...ever-utter-family-separation-children-border/
 
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Quick, derail with the worst thing FDR ever did that is in no way related to the topic of the thread!

People didn't bite on the first post? Add a video!

Also, if you want to quote George Takei as an authority, chew on this:

‘At Least During the Internment …’ Are Words I Thought I’d Never Utter
At least during the internment of Japanese-Americans, I and other children were not stripped from our parents. We were not pulled screaming from our mothers’ arms. We were not left to change the diapers of younger children by ourselves.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/06/1...ever-utter-family-separation-children-border/

What does that have to do with FDR ordering American citizens into concentration camps because of their race/ethnicity? Retire this old fuck and his dusty ideas.
 
What does that have to do with FDR ordering American citizens into concentration camps? Retire this old fuck and his dusty ideas.
Beating the Nazis? Ushering in the greatest era of prosperity the country has ever known? Creating the (once) Great American Middle Class?
 
Beating the Nazis? Ushering in the greatest era of prosperity the country has ever known? Creating the (once) Great American Middle Class?

He didn't beat shit. He was a warmonger who always wanted that war. And the British Empire who he sided with, along with Russia, are just as bad or worse than Nazis. Anything else?
 
He didn't beat shit. He was a warmonger who always wanted that war. And the British Empire who he sided with, along with Russia, are just as bad or worse than Nazis. Anything else?
No, I think you've established your "credibility" quite enough with that last comment.
 
Didn't he put Japanese Americans in concentration camps?

Yes.

Henry Ford didn't like Jews, Einstein didn't like Chinese, and Gandhi had questionable views on the age of consent. That doesn't invalidate the assembly line, the theory of relativity, or the ethos of pacifism.
 
Amazing how we've advanced so much in some areas (over the kicking and screaming of many segments of the population, by the way) but still haven't advanced at all in others.

Philosophically, freedom is both negative and positive.

Negative freedom is freedom from something being done to you; positive freedom is the ability to do or achieve something.

Rights work the same way. Many countries have positive rights outlined in their Constitutions. You don't lose any of the "negative rights" by adding some positive rights.
Hmmm so we could provide people today with the equivalent of what white people had then. Make it great for everyone like it was back then. Interesting concept.
 
There are people on this forum who still defend the Japanese internment camps.


which is disgusting.

considering that many of the men, who's families were locked up were fighting overseas...killing and shedding blood for this country.

people need to look up the 442nd and what they accomplished.
 
Yes.

Henry Ford didn't like Jews, Einstein didn't like Chinese, and Gandhi had questionable views on the age of consent. That doesn't invalidate the assembly line, the theory of relativity, or the ethos of pacifism.

well said.

stealing this argument next time it comes up btw.
 
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