Old Silent Cal took the summer of 1927 off to spend quality time in the Black Hills. He left his Secretary of Commerce (Hoover) to deal with consequences of the great flood that year. Hoover, true to form, rounded up private assistance for flood victim relief. (He was an absolute bloody genius at managing relief efforts — until he became President). You can see the photos and videos of Cal wearing a war bonnet, and rocking his chair on the porch — no doubt practicing for his retirement.
A lot happened that year: read “One Summer: America 1927” by Bill Bryson.
Cool Cal’s continuation of Harding’s lassiez-faire attitude and policies contributed bigly to the collapse of the American and world economy into the Great Depression. Coupled with Hoover’s indifference as Sec of Commerce from 1921 – 1929, the three of them standing on the sidelines lead the cheers as unrestrained capitalism drove the world economy into the ground. Rea*an’s lionizing further degrades the standing of both.
Sadly, the horrendous collapse our nation is in currently with tRump, is in part a manifestation of the really inappropriate polices that first began in the Reagan Administration.
In comparison to TODAY, the Reagan Administration appears almost “quaint”, and unfortunately a lot of folks (especially younger folks) are focused primarily on “role” that President Reagan had in terms of the elimination of the Berlin Wall…. so they are viewing him as a pleasant, avuncular, positive leader. Yet, he was responsible for the downturn of the middle class (especially through union busting tactics, that unfortunately succeeded). Although most do not recall, pockets of the US (most notably much of Michigan, and for example Detroit) were utterly decimated by the Reagan Era policies. Places like Detroit, Flint, and Saginaw experienced long-term unemployment between 15-25% during the 1980s due to Reagan’s efforts.
But, I see tremendous parallels to what Reagan did and how we arrived at the sheer chaos and horror we have today.
Nobody esp Repubs really believe in limited government. Try to build a log cabin in the middle of a city, have no speed limits on the highway, allow companies to sell adulterated foods. Repubs are 1st class hypocrites. Dems are not absolved either. Government is there to protect us from us. We have met the enemy and they is us.
And why is it that Republicans, who supposedly favor limited government, just LOVE corporate welfare? I mean, you NEED a big government to dole out that much corporate welfare! Economist, author, and former Labor Secretary turned pundit Robert Reich:
Since the start of the pandemic, American billionaires have been cleaning up. As more than 50 million Americans filed for unemployment insurance, billionaires became $637 billion richer. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg’s wealth has ballooned 59 percent. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos’, 39 percent. Walmart’s Walton family has added $25 billion. Big drug company CEOs and their major investors are doing nicely, too. Since the start of the pandemic, Big Pharma has raised prices on over 250 prescription drugs, 61 of which are being used to treat COVID-19.Apologists say this is the “free market” responding to supply and demand. The barons of Big Tech, online retail and Big Pharma are merely providing what consumers desperately need during the pandemic. But the market also operates under laws that ban profiteering, price gouging and monopolizing—and that tax excess profits in wartime. Where did these laws go? The Trump administration hasn’t enforced them.President Donald Trump is also ignoring laws that ban trades on insider information. The White House is distributing billions in subsidies and loans to select corporations—enabling CEOs and boards to load up on stocks and stock options just before deals are announced, then rake in fat profits after stock prices surge.Insiders from at least 11 companies have sold shares worth over $1 billion after such announcements, according to an analysis by The New York Times.
Reich continues: In late June, a San Francisco company called Vaxart announced that the Trump administration had selected it to develop a coronavirus vaccine. Presto. The value of stock options distributed to company insiders just weeks before increased sixfold. Stock options held by Vaxart’s CEO went from $4.3 million to more than $28 million.Moderna, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has never brought a vaccine to market, but company insiders have sold some $248 million of shares—most of them after the company was selected in April to receive Trump funding. (Moderna plans to sell its vaccine for profit, although taxpayers have footed its research and development.)The most blatant involves the venerable old camera and film maker Kodak. On July 28, Trump announced a $765 million deal with the firm to bring drug production back to the United States. He called it “one of the most important deals in the history of the U.S. pharmaceutical industries,” even though Kodak isn’t even a pharmaceutical company.Before the announcement, Kodak had handed its board of directors 240,000 stock options, and just the day before had given its CEO 1.75 million stock options. After Trump’s announcement, Kodak shares shot up more than 2,757 percent. Suddenly, the board’s stock options were worth about $4 million, and the CEO’s, about $50 million.Is this sort of insider trading against the law? You bet. The Securities and Exchange Commission is looking into the deal, now temporarily on hold.But the SEC’s co-director of enforcement, Steven Peikin, who had been investigating several of the deals involving the White House and corporate insiders—including Kodak—resigned last week, without explanation. Another in the lengthening list of independent regulators and inspectors general forced out by Trump?
Decades ago, I read in some magazine article about Silent Cal, the following statement. “In the mid twenties, things were going so well that nobody wanted anything done by the government, and Cal done it!”
This is a test. I have posted several comments in the past, only to have them disappear the next day. I will be checking in tomorrow to see if this one is missing.
Cute-Coolidge did symbolize the times, so he was the appropriate president. He didn’t pack the Supreme Court with four reactionaries like Harding. I still prefer Rita to John Calvin II. Having the admirable Harry Truman in the sketch reminds us that Reagan took down his picture for Coolidge as the decent into purgatory really accelerated in 1981. One other note: after the death of his younger son, Coolidge was also depressed, which might explain the inertia and the afternoon naps. While there’s nothing wrong with an afternoon siesta, it’s supposed to charge the sleeper to get back to work.
Cheapskate0 almost 4 years ago
The great irony is that, with “limited government” as the stated goal, Reagan is actually “spot on” with his observation.
Now that we seen “limited government” in action (inaction?), hopefully, we’ll do something about it this fall!
(As in, if the purpose of government is to do nothing, then what is the purpose of having a government?)
GaryCooper almost 4 years ago
The most famous anecdote about Coolidge is that someone told Dorothy Parker, “Calvin Coolidge died.” Parker: “How could they tell?”
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Old Silent Cal took the summer of 1927 off to spend quality time in the Black Hills. He left his Secretary of Commerce (Hoover) to deal with consequences of the great flood that year. Hoover, true to form, rounded up private assistance for flood victim relief. (He was an absolute bloody genius at managing relief efforts — until he became President). You can see the photos and videos of Cal wearing a war bonnet, and rocking his chair on the porch — no doubt practicing for his retirement.
A lot happened that year: read “One Summer: America 1927” by Bill Bryson.
jhayesd31 almost 4 years ago
A Great Quote From Stephen Colbert during the W Bush correspondents dinner:
“If it is true that the Government that Governs best, governs least, We have Built a Fantastic Government in Iraq”
Teto85 Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Cool Cal’s continuation of Harding’s lassiez-faire attitude and policies contributed bigly to the collapse of the American and world economy into the Great Depression. Coupled with Hoover’s indifference as Sec of Commerce from 1921 – 1929, the three of them standing on the sidelines lead the cheers as unrestrained capitalism drove the world economy into the ground. Rea*an’s lionizing further degrades the standing of both.
Michael G. almost 4 years ago
He didn’t do much but that’s what his people wanted.
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Sadly, the horrendous collapse our nation is in currently with tRump, is in part a manifestation of the really inappropriate polices that first began in the Reagan Administration.
In comparison to TODAY, the Reagan Administration appears almost “quaint”, and unfortunately a lot of folks (especially younger folks) are focused primarily on “role” that President Reagan had in terms of the elimination of the Berlin Wall…. so they are viewing him as a pleasant, avuncular, positive leader. Yet, he was responsible for the downturn of the middle class (especially through union busting tactics, that unfortunately succeeded). Although most do not recall, pockets of the US (most notably much of Michigan, and for example Detroit) were utterly decimated by the Reagan Era policies. Places like Detroit, Flint, and Saginaw experienced long-term unemployment between 15-25% during the 1980s due to Reagan’s efforts.
But, I see tremendous parallels to what Reagan did and how we arrived at the sheer chaos and horror we have today.
Please, vote Biden-Harris in November!
Madzdad the bard almost 4 years ago
Honestly, I wish Tiny would take some naps.
ronzero almost 4 years ago
Nobody esp Repubs really believe in limited government. Try to build a log cabin in the middle of a city, have no speed limits on the highway, allow companies to sell adulterated foods. Repubs are 1st class hypocrites. Dems are not absolved either. Government is there to protect us from us. We have met the enemy and they is us.
richsolano almost 4 years ago
The cycles of history demand different responses by leaders. Unfortunately, our current round hole is being looked after by a square peg.
Godfreydaniel almost 4 years ago
Be fair: Nancy Reagan was our second woman president, after Edith Wilson!
Godfreydaniel almost 4 years ago
And why is it that Republicans, who supposedly favor limited government, just LOVE corporate welfare? I mean, you NEED a big government to dole out that much corporate welfare! Economist, author, and former Labor Secretary turned pundit Robert Reich:
Since the start of the pandemic, American billionaires have been cleaning up. As more than 50 million Americans filed for unemployment insurance, billionaires became $637 billion richer. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg’s wealth has ballooned 59 percent. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos’, 39 percent. Walmart’s Walton family has added $25 billion. Big drug company CEOs and their major investors are doing nicely, too. Since the start of the pandemic, Big Pharma has raised prices on over 250 prescription drugs, 61 of which are being used to treat COVID-19.Apologists say this is the “free market” responding to supply and demand. The barons of Big Tech, online retail and Big Pharma are merely providing what consumers desperately need during the pandemic. But the market also operates under laws that ban profiteering, price gouging and monopolizing—and that tax excess profits in wartime. Where did these laws go? The Trump administration hasn’t enforced them.President Donald Trump is also ignoring laws that ban trades on insider information. The White House is distributing billions in subsidies and loans to select corporations—enabling CEOs and boards to load up on stocks and stock options just before deals are announced, then rake in fat profits after stock prices surge.Insiders from at least 11 companies have sold shares worth over $1 billion after such announcements, according to an analysis by The New York Times.
Godfreydaniel almost 4 years ago
Reich continues: In late June, a San Francisco company called Vaxart announced that the Trump administration had selected it to develop a coronavirus vaccine. Presto. The value of stock options distributed to company insiders just weeks before increased sixfold. Stock options held by Vaxart’s CEO went from $4.3 million to more than $28 million.Moderna, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has never brought a vaccine to market, but company insiders have sold some $248 million of shares—most of them after the company was selected in April to receive Trump funding. (Moderna plans to sell its vaccine for profit, although taxpayers have footed its research and development.)The most blatant involves the venerable old camera and film maker Kodak. On July 28, Trump announced a $765 million deal with the firm to bring drug production back to the United States. He called it “one of the most important deals in the history of the U.S. pharmaceutical industries,” even though Kodak isn’t even a pharmaceutical company.Before the announcement, Kodak had handed its board of directors 240,000 stock options, and just the day before had given its CEO 1.75 million stock options. After Trump’s announcement, Kodak shares shot up more than 2,757 percent. Suddenly, the board’s stock options were worth about $4 million, and the CEO’s, about $50 million.Is this sort of insider trading against the law? You bet. The Securities and Exchange Commission is looking into the deal, now temporarily on hold.But the SEC’s co-director of enforcement, Steven Peikin, who had been investigating several of the deals involving the White House and corporate insiders—including Kodak—resigned last week, without explanation. Another in the lengthening list of independent regulators and inspectors general forced out by Trump?
Godfreydaniel almost 4 years ago
Okay, MAYBE the Republicans believe in limited government………..
Radish the wordsmith almost 4 years ago
Just like sleepy turtle Mitch McConnell who just went on vacation until September, so no covid aid for Americans will be available.
Do you think Trump should be impeached for slowing down the Post Office because he thinks it will give him an election advantage?
Daeder almost 4 years ago
Our current president* would be much, much better if he never did or said anything.
moosemin almost 4 years ago
Decades ago, I read in some magazine article about Silent Cal, the following statement. “In the mid twenties, things were going so well that nobody wanted anything done by the government, and Cal done it!”
Radish the wordsmith almost 4 years ago
Ronald Reagan began the destruction of the American Middle Class.
Radish the wordsmith almost 4 years ago
From Postal Service sabotage to blocking COVID-19 relief, Trump and the GOP are hacking the election
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/8/13/1969020/-From-Postal-Service-sabotage-to-blocking-COVID-19-relief-Trump-and-the-GOP-are-hacking-the-election?utm_campaign=recent
Radish the wordsmith almost 4 years ago
I can’t think of one good thing the Republicans have done for the American people during my entire life.
jamie almost 4 years ago
This is a test. I have posted several comments in the past, only to have them disappear the next day. I will be checking in tomorrow to see if this one is missing.
The Love of Money is . . . almost 4 years ago
I love political nicknames. I’M VOTING FOR “SLEEPY JOE” and “KARMA” KAMALA.
I love Karma and have waited to see Trump when he realizes it has come around.
VegaAlopex almost 4 years ago
Cute-Coolidge did symbolize the times, so he was the appropriate president. He didn’t pack the Supreme Court with four reactionaries like Harding. I still prefer Rita to John Calvin II. Having the admirable Harry Truman in the sketch reminds us that Reagan took down his picture for Coolidge as the decent into purgatory really accelerated in 1981. One other note: after the death of his younger son, Coolidge was also depressed, which might explain the inertia and the afternoon naps. While there’s nothing wrong with an afternoon siesta, it’s supposed to charge the sleeper to get back to work.