Shaken To Its Core: Politics

Politics 

Americans have long sought alternatives to the two party system of government. With the economic system in shambles, and growingly distraught public, the political landscape of the Great Depression became ripe with such alternatives. Franklin Roosevelt faced no fewer than six third-party candidates in his first election in 1932. In that election alone, Norman Thomas of the American Socialist party garnered 2.23% of the popular vote. 1936 saw the Presidential pool increase to eight including the ill-fated “Share Our Wealth” party. It is a well documented fact that during times of economic hardships, people flock to groups specifically naming scapegoats or dynamically different systems to those that have failed. While only making small gains in national elections, third political parties grow in membership at the state levels throughout the Great Depression. Perhaps the most popular among third-parties were the German American Bund (or the American Nazi Party), and the Communist League of America which later became the Workers Party of the United States.

Book Review - Obama's War by Bob Woodward

When delving into anything written by Bob Woodward, one must give serious credence to his somewhat liberal bent. He is after all the slayer of the un-slayable Conservative Richard Nixon. He has been outspoken in his support of President Obama, and his policies. However, Woodward is still a top rate journalist and is, for the most part able to step off the slant and do his job well. This book is well researched and very well documented. Look not for any “Deep Throat” type sources, but Woodward does interview those that are pertinent to the story at all levels.

I read this book as the combat almost two full years after the last combat troops were pulled out of Iraq, and during the handover to NATO troops in Afghanistan, but the insight to those decisions could not be clearer. Throughout the book, Woodward documents the critical decisions making process taken by the administration, that at times was nearly paralyzed by turf wars and backbiting. 

Early into the book Woodward’s bias is first betrayed. In the first few chapters great pain is taken to describe the pitfalls of the Bush administration’s handling of the war, and the residue of those maneuvers on current events. As the book proceeds, it is easy to see a “us verse them” mentality between military and civilian leaders was very present and well established by the time President Obama takes office. The facts, as presented by Woodward, show the measures taken first by Candidate Obama, President-Elect Obama and finally President Obama to utilize the military. Those measures were soundly rebuffed on all fronts with few exceptions.

Book Review - Traitor To His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt By H.W. Brands

Book Reviewed: 

Traitor To His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt By H.W. Brands

Mr. Lincoln’s Thoughts:

This book was an excellent biography on FDR and coverage of his presidency. All of the New Deal is covered in detail. Roosevelt’s struggle to pass his progressive agenda into law is well documented. My only problem with this book is what the title leaves in the way of perception. My perception, according to the title, was that the book would cover the reactions to the New Deal policies Roosevelt rolled out during his time in Washington. Rather than a blow by blow account of support and opposition, the reader is left with biography of the key players in the New Deal, a detailed account of Roosevelt’s daily life, and a rather extensive family history.