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6713620
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Changes in the U.S.A.
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6713620
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document
title
Changes in the U.S.A.
citationUrl
collections
Gerald R. Ford's Material from the Writing of "A Time to Heal"
Interviews and Subject Files
subjects
Grand Rapids (Mich.)
Birth control
Food habits
Interstate Highway System
Newspapers
Presidential personal matters
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6713620
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1978-12-31
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1978
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1977-01-01
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1977
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President Gerald R. Ford's handwritten reflections, 1977 or 1978
Scanned from the collection Gerald R. Ford: Materials from the writing of A Time
To Heal at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
While writing his autobiography, A Time to Heal (New York: Harper & Row, 1979), President
Gerald R. Ford composed a series of personal reflections on twenty-seven topics. What makes
these documents so unusual is not only their introspection but also their form. President Ford
recorded these observations by hand, writing in blue ball point on his favored yellow writing
tablets. He did not expend time and energy to polish and edit his writing, apparently planning to
do so when incorporating them into the book. Therefore occasional spelling or grammatical
errors or incomplete thoughts appear.
For each reflection the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library has scanned President Ford's
handwritten document and added a Library-produced transcription below to aid in reading the
reflection.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Charges in 4.5,A.
1) Intenstate Hoghway system
2) Birth control pill
3) fast forb-what They have done to
ambrem diet
Reasons 2 real home-Town -G,R. Press.
1)
Interstate Heghory System -
the federal highway system was in shamlles. During WWII
In the early 1950s it became almons that
there had been a slow-fown or halt in modern highway construction
Federal, state of local funds for future hughing instruction whol
inadequate. Following the lemitations on anto travel during W W II
cannot by you recoming, The lemerism public was in a
moot to trand of they wanted safe 4 molemn highways.
In addition the Dyt. of Defense veslinged The meel for a
with that would connect before installations!
To meet The need Pres. E. proposed the highway Trust
fund, are increase in gas taps of other tabes on highway users,
70% federal funding of a neturnh of 30, 000 plus miles of
and internated cat of - 4 completion by i
The Interstate system is about 93% completed with about
41, 000 miles ad, about 10 yrs late plus the diversion
2
option of the load community
7 Trenst Frund monthly to mass Transit at the
The impact has been most sequerent. america
has George more make. The indevidual citizen & family
move more frequently, more easily of more safety on
The interstate system The aut industry has propert.
The machind understand has suffered in passanger trappe
informes. m me transit systems in metro areas because
& lost a presentage of lumino to the Truching & bus
ofthe trust fund have been helped. The
Dept. of Defense has a network of highways that bolster our
national security
2) Birth control pill - polatly be to more
extra mintal relations kmong the young 4 had an
impact on the rate of population growth in The
U.S. I will assume it meducal The number of
illegemate children of reducal The number fabritions
altho with the legalation fabortions Ly The Supreme
CI the nich whates would probably applax otherwise.
There is Arml filence that useds of the pill have
weight control problems of other health maintenance differenties
3) fast foods - what they hour Rone to The amercan
dist? The inject has been Two foll. The fast food
more frequently This has had an impact on the
chaine have intered the american family to" "bat-out" fan
3
family at home. the restrument nather them The
atmosphere is totally different. The minuts are
have the a gathering point for the family The
more varid by The anchor of a home corhed meal
by mother is no longer There.
The fast or frogen food business An home use
has probibly unpanded the varity of fords available at
home have probably expanded The diet but decreased
the delecary. mothers have more wanty in The Jorgen
food shehes and The time I pregaration in The pitchen
that a fresh, home caked meal can be surposed in
is significantly reduced. However, few would argue
taste In quality.
with more with in The work- force There is
an pressure to move to the past pod
chains 4 to from foods in the between! The impact or
the diet is destable but the impact on the family life
has pluses 4 mmuses
Renomo I real the home-tom newspaper - A.R. Press
a home-town newspaper, one you have meal all
your about life, prints the news 8 people you know,
what is going on in The local instations govt & otherwise
and what federal 4 state programs are working or doing
in the local community. In addition international newd
4
is printed for bed information on interpretation.
as a member of Congress or for as nationwide Present Local
federal programs and appropriations are approved attracture
titles. at the Wash D.C. level the proposes
of all with good intentions and most with approving
national
lill and final laws are designed to achieve carton
a but you cannot design it for each
community. The best way to chick on how a
national program works at a specific community is
the area, The people and public attende.
to read a home town newspaper where you know
a home town newspaper also is a good sounding
Editor column most goodbad newspapers have
bond especially by reading The letters to the
a from of broad fort of the Eltral page dusted to
cityen comment. a though meading These
letters give you a good fact of public
Changes in U.S.A.
1) Interstate Highway System
2) Birth control pill
3) Fast foods - what they have done to American diet
Reasons I read home-town newspaper - G.R. [Grand Rapids] Press.
1) Interstate Highway System -
In the early 1950s it became obvious that the federal highway system was in shambles. During
WWII there had been a slow-down or halt in modern highway construction. Federal, state &
local funds for future highway construction were inadequate. Following the limitations on auto
travel during WWII caused by gas-rationing, the American public was in a mood to travel & they
wanted safe & modern highways. In addition the Dept. of Defense realized the need for a
network that would connect defense installations.
To meet the need Pres. E. proposed the highway trust fund, an increase in gas taxes & other taxes
on highway users, 90% federal funding & a network of 30,000 plus miles & and estimated cost
of
& completion by
.
The Interstate System is about 93% completed with about 41,000 miles, almost 10 yrs late plus
the diversion of Trust Fund money to mass transit at the option of the local communities.
The impact has been most significant. America has become more mobile. The individual citizen
& family moves more frequently, more easily & more safely on the interstate system. The auto
industry has prospered. The railroad industry has suffered in passenger traffic & lost a
percentage of business to the trucking & bus industries. Mass transit systems in metro areas
because of the trust fund diversions have been helped. The Dept. of Defense has a network of
highways that bolster our national security.
2) Birth control pill - probably led to more extra marital relations among the young & had an
impact on the rate of population growth in the U.S. I would assume it reduced the number of
illegitimate children & reduced the number of abortions altho with the legalization of abortions
by the Supreme Ct the official statistics would probably appear otherwise.
There is some evidence that users of the pill have weight control problems & other health
maintenance difficulties.
3) Fast foods - what they have done to the American diet? The impact has been two-fold. The
fast food chains have enticed the American family to "eat-out" far more frequently. This has had
an impact on the family at home. The restaurant rather than the home is a gathering point for the
family. The atmosphere is totally different. The menus are more varied by the anchor of a home
cooked meal by mother in no longer there.
The fast or frozen food business for home use has probably expanded the variety of foods
available at home have probably expanded the diet but decreased the delicacy. Mothers have
more variety in the frozen food shelves and the time of preparation in the kitchen is significantly
reduced. However, few would argue that a fresh, home cooked meal can be surpassed in taste or
quality.
With more wives in the work-force there is an inevitable pressure to move to the fast food chains
& to frozen foods in the kitchen. The impact on the diet is debatable but the impact on the
family life has pluses & minuses.
Reasons I read the home-town newspaper - G.R. [Grand Rapids] Press.
A home-town newspaper, one you have read all your adult life, prints the news of people you
know, what is going on in the local institutions - govt & otherwise - and what federal & state
programs are working or doing in the local community. In addition international news is printed
for local information or interpretation.
As a member of Congress or as President federal programs and appropriations for nationwide
local benefits are approved & all with good intentions and most with attractive titles. At the
Wash. D.C. level the proposals, bill and final laws are designed to achieve certain national
objectives but you cannot design it for each community. The best way to check on how a
national program works at a specific community is to read a home town newspaper where you
know the area, the people and public attitude.
A home town newspaper also is a good sounding board especially by reading the letters to the
Editor column. Most good local newspapers have a fair & broad part of the Editorial page
devoted to citizen comment. A thorough reading of these letters give you a good feel of public
sentiment.