Week 9 - "The Only Thing We Have to Fear is Fear Itself"
- Sal Randazzo
- Mar 4, 2018
- 6 min read
Another week down in 2018 and what a week it has been! I hope you're enjoying the topics I'm writing about and pictures/videos I've been posting to Instagram. I'm trying to include you into my daily routine with construction projects, drone imagery and different workout ideas. If there's anything you'd like to see, or get my perspective on - don't hesitate to let me know.
This week I thought it might be appropriate to reflect on one of the most tumultuous times in our nation's history - The Great Depression. President FDR took over the reigns of our country during an extremely dark period - Regardless of your political views/party association, let's take a look at portions his inaugural speech and apply it to our current political climate. This speech is a great lesson on leadership!
Remember, this was in 1933, right in the middle of The Great Depression (1929 - 1939).
"In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days."
Here, the President is starting his speech to the world by addressing the fact that America is in a crisis - the first rule of fixing a problem is realizing you have a problem. He shares his confidence in the people by stating his expectations - to give support to the current leadership.
"In such a spirit on my part and on yours we face our common difficulties. They concern, thank God, only material things. Values have shrunken to fantastic levels; taxes have risen; our ability to pay has fallen; government of all kinds is faced by serious curtailment of income; the means of exchange are frozen in the currents of trade; the withered leaves of industrial enterprise lie on every side; farmers find no markets for their produce; the savings of many years in thousands of families are gone."
FDR states some of the many issues our nation faced as he took office. Interestingly enough he compares these issues to the problems our forefathers faced - locusts! He goes on to talk about how the problems we face were only material and not necessarily life-threatening.
"Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The joy and moral stimulation of work no longer must be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men."
As he recognizes the problem, he sheds an optimistic light at the end of the tunnel. He shares his leadership vision onto the people to show them that not IF our country pulls out of this, but WHEN we do it will make us stronger as a nation.
"Restoration calls, however, not for changes in ethics alone. This Nation asks for action, and action now. Our greatest primary task is to put people to work. This is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously. It can be accomplished in part by direct recruiting by the Government itself, treating the task as we would treat the emergency of a war, but at the same time, through this employment, accomplishing greatly needed projects to stimulate and reorganize the use of our natural resources. Hand in hand with this we must frankly recognize the overbalance of population in our industrial centers and, by engaging on a national scale in a redistribution, endeavor to provide a better use of the land for those best fitted for the land. The task can be helped by definite efforts to raise the values of agricultural products and with this the power to purchase the output of our cities. It can be helped by preventing realistically the tragedy of the growing loss through foreclosure of our small homes and our farms. It can be helped by insistence that the Federal, State, and local governments act forthwith on the demand that their cost be drastically reduced. It can be helped by the unifying of relief activities which today are often scattered, uneconomical, and unequal. It can be helped by national planning for and supervision of all forms of transportation and of communications and other utilities which have a definitely public character. There are many ways in which it can be helped, but it can never be helped merely by talking about it. We must act and act quickly."
This is his action statements - without going into specific details, FDR states exactly what he believes needs to be done in order to get the country back on track. The Government needed to get America back on track - become more organized and effectively plan our nation's spending efforts.
"Finally, in our progress toward a resumption of work we require two safeguards against a return of the evils of the old order; there must be a strict supervision of all banking and credits and investments; there must be an end to speculation with other people’s money, and there must be provision for an adequate but sound currency."
This is textbook - how to stop the problem from happening again.
"In the field of world policy I would dedicate this Nation to the policy of the good neighbor—the neighbor who resolutely respects himself and, because he does so, respects the rights of others—the neighbor who respects his obligations and respects the sanctity of his agreements in and with a world of neighbors. If I read the temper of our people correctly, we now realize as we have never realized before our interdependence on each other; that we can not merely take but we must give as well; that if we are to go forward, we must move as a trained and loyal army willing to sacrifice for the good of a common discipline, because without such discipline no progress is made, no leadership becomes effective. We are, I know, ready and willing to submit our lives and property to such discipline, because it makes possible a leadership which aims at a larger good. This I propose to offer, pledging that the larger purposes will bind upon us all as a sacred obligation with a unity of duty hitherto evoked only in time of armed strife."
When FDR was running for office, he was extremely vague on his specific plans for change. He did not give anything away to his opponent at the time - Herbert Hoover. Smart move, but in today's political climate this would probably go against the front running candidate. In this excerpt, FDR dives into his "world policy." Smart enough, he doesn't talk about being a world powerhouse, but refers to America as a good neighbor - something all Americans can relate to in their day-to-day life. He is very unifying in stating that we must move forward TOGETHER for the good of a "common discipline." "Without discipline, no progress is made and leadership becomes ineffective." - That's an extremely interesting quote that stands the test of time.
"We face the arduous days that lie before us in the warm courage of the national unity; with the clear consciousness of seeking old and precious moral values; with the clean satisfaction that comes from the stern performance of duty by old and young alike. We aim at the assurance of a rounded and permanent national life. We do not distrust the future of essential democracy. The people of the United States have not failed. In their need they have registered a mandate that they want direct, vigorous action. They have asked for discipline and direction under leadership. They have made me the present instrument of their wishes. In the spirit of the gift I take it."
At this time in our nation's history, 1 of every 4 people was unemployed. FDR needed to provide leadership from stepping into office on day 1 and he did just that. He found that uplifting voice during an extremely dark period. He reiterates that "warm courage of the national unity" will bring our country together and THAT is what this nation will value - not money, but being American. FDR recognizes that at this time in our history books, our nation needed a servant leader. Someone who recognizes what the people need and is willing to go to work to provide direction for those problems. He refers to himself as an "instrument of their wishes."
The President serves the people - regardless of your political beliefs, this was a great address and provides a solid lesson on leadership.
(RPIC: Sal Randazzo, 250-ft AGL, Reg #: FA3AARWW43)
I've been taking some real-estate shots recently and have been working on a real estate portfolio on my website - under the "What" section. Once I have put my final touches on the content and reach out to different realtors, I'll make that section of my business plan live.
(RPIC: Sal Randazzo, 100-ft AGL, Reg #: FA3AARWW43)
328 Drayton Place Dr.
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
$249,900
4 Beds, 3 Baths
Home; 2,844 SF, Lot: 0.12 Acres
Chuck Saleeby
AgentOwned Realty Co.
Office: (843)261-7128
Cell: (843)367-6378
chuck.saleeby@agentownedrealty.com
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