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Miscellaneous Speech Material, 1963
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Miscellaneous Speech Material, 1963
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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The original documents are located in Box D16, folder "Miscellaneous Speech Material,
1963" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R.
Ford Presidential Library.
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. The Council 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
Digitized from Box D16 of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
WHAT HASBEEN THE KENNEDY RECORD ???
TAXES AND ECONOMICS 1. We have gome 80 consistently into debt that our
motto on our coins should be changed to read:"IN DEBT WE TRUST."
2. So far -- -- failed to balance the budget in 3 years
-- $22-billion more spending now than in 1960, with
more than half of this in non-defense increase
- Promises at least three more deficits
- No solid reason to ever expect balanced budget
from Kennedy, to say nòthing of enough
surpluses "over the economic cycle" to have
a balanced budget.
Interest
3. Kennedy wants a transitional deficit (one to get us over
the hump.) The only way to have a transitional deficit,
is to have a transitional President, and get back to
sound Republican philosophy of govt.
4. Tax program. --
It was carefully planned with only one thing in
mind: will it win or lose votes? The motivating
force was political, not economic. What he has in
mind is not the welfare of the economy, but the
welfare of his own political administration.
5. Examples of "reforms"
a. A retired veteran found it would be 23 years
before he would benefit by the reductions - and that
is longer than his life expectancy.
b. A homeowner with an $8,000 income and a mortgaged
home, could lose $400 in deductions because of the
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
"five per cent floor" on deductions innthe reforms.
taxes and economics - -- continued
6. This is a planned deficit -- the Whix Kids in the
White House actually enjoy wallowing in red ink.
7. They condemn as PURITANS those of us whose standards
of conduct make us believe it is honorable and right
to pay our taxes so that the government pays its
own way.
Meanwhile, they exhalt WA Professor Walter
Heller who advocates pump priming with your
tax dollars as the solution to MMNX all
our enz economic ills.
Personally - -- my choice is clear. I'S RATHER BE
A PURITAN THAN A HELLER.
8. What Republicans believe: we should have
lower taxes at all levels. They are now too high
and in some cases discriminatory.
The tax burden -- prevents business growth.
- limits America's prosperity
But honesty and morality demands that we
not burden our children with our errors and
high living -- we must have lower spending by
government if we are to have lower taxes.
GERALD R.FORD. LIBRARY
The Tax Floor
Frank C. Porter's article of
Feb. 14 is headlined "5 Per
Cent Tax Deduction Floor
Widely Misunderstood." Mr.
Porter's error is that he mis-
Taxes
understands the opposition to
the 5 per cent floor.
The Secretary of the Treas-
ury on Feb. 7 made it clear to
the House Ways and Means
Committee that the sole pur-
pose of the 5 per cent floor
amendment is to raise rev-
Editor
enue, not to remove any in-
equity or unnecessary prefer-
ence in the tax structure.
This Is a Tax Cut?
Proceeding fr 0 m this fact
the question properly arises:
Although I am in the lowest
"Who will bear the brunt of
tax bracket, President Ken-
this recovery of $2.3 billion?"
nedy's proposed tax charges
A taxpayer with an adjusted
would increase my Federal in-
gross income of $8000, who is
come tax as follows: In 1963
not a home owner, finds that
by $274; in 1964 by $215; and in
his estate and local taxes,
1965, 1966 and 1967 by $186 per
church and charitable contri-
year. In 1968 I will become 65
butions are $800 or less. He
years of age, and my tax will
takes the standard deduction
be $57 per year less than at
of 10 per cent of income, or
present. At that rate it will
$800. However, the home own-
be 23 years before I gain by
er with the same taxes,
the proposed law, which is
church and charitable contri-
greater than my life expect-
butions as the non-home own-
ancy.
er discovers that the interest
I am not an exceptional
on his home mortgage and
case, but one of the tens of
the real estate taxes bring his
thousands of persons such as
itemized deductions to $1500.
policemen, firemen, teachers,
He will, of course, itemize his
members of the Armed Forces,
deductions and, under the Ad-
etc., who retired before they
ministration's proposal, he
were 65 years of age under a
will be able to deduct only
public retirement system, one
$1100 because his deductions
established by the Federal
up to 5 per cent of his income
Government.
are disallowed. Thus be lowes
HEMAN W. PRIRCE.
$400 in deductions. The ad-
USA
verse effect is particularly
evident in new home pur
chases because of the high in-
terest charges in the early
years of the mortgage.
Obviously the home owner,
under the Administration's 5
per cent floor amendment, is
included wants 11510
going to be "nicked" for the
$2.3 billion. None of the im-
pressive statistical tables sub-
mitted by the Treasury De-
partment stands up under the
impact of this incontrovertible
fact.
JOHN C. WILLIAMSON,
Director. National Association of
Real Estate Boards.
Washington.
one
As President Kennedy stated,
this floor would decrease con-
siderably the number of per-
sons who would be able to
itemize deductions. This, in ef-
fect, would eliminate tax sav-
ings which individuals have
in the past received because
of the present provision where
a deduction for all charitable
contributions up to 20 per cent,
and in some cases 30 per cent,
of adjusted income is allowed.
This would affect not only the
giving programs of donors in
the middle-income brackets but
also those in the higher in-
come brackets.
For example, a man with an
adjusted gross income of $100,-
000 would receive no tax de-
duction on a gift to charity
unless his total deductions ex-
ceeded $5000 and only that
amount over $5000. This bill,
therefore, would undo all of
the work that university fund
raisers and thousands of volun-
teers have done in the last few
years. This would eventually
bring about complete depend-
ence by our private institu-
tions on Government support.
C. E. GRIFFITH III.
Nashville, Tenn.
EIE CTION RESULTS IN 1962
Governor's races: expected 8, got only one
House races:
hoped for 20 or more, got only three.
caused by Gerrymandering, a term originated in Boston,
the home of a number of well-known politicians
Senate races:
hoped to hold our own, but lost four.
POOR SHOWING
However
Some bright spots too. Overall national strength is equal
to the Democrats'. If you add total vote of all races for
Governor, House and Senate, we got 49% of popular vote.
That means
The Kennedys have NO GREAT POPULAR MANDATE for their radical ideas.
That means
The White House Whiz Kids have a claim on only half the country,
and some of these are conservative Democrats who oppose them.
We did better because: (1) The South throwing off Democratic yoke
(2) Breaking Democratic armlock on the big cities
As for possible splits in the Democratic Party - we have found in Michigan
that any splits among the Democrate are usually 50-50.
FORD : LIBRARY 074830
speaking about unity.....
THE MICHIGAN EXPERIENCE ... one of the brightest spots in 1962.
For 14 years Michigan suffered. - Painful agong
12 years under Soapy Williams -- Many Republicans told me that if they knew
John Kennedy was going to send Soapy to
Africa, they would have voted Democratic in
1960.
2 years under an even less able man: John Swainson.
What happened in those 14 yearsx years?/
deficits... decay loss of industry loss of
prestige... the only thing we gained was ridicule
laughing-stock of the nation.
Why did it happen?
Republicans were splintered --- personality clashes
--- more prima donnas than voters
The party was fractured --- philosophical differences were small
--- the spirit of compromise was lost
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPROMISE -- see page
How did we change?
We learned that holding grudges was a terribly expensive luxury
We learned that in at least half of the 8 elections involved (1948-60), the
state was the loser because of intra-party fights.
We learned that when you carry differences with you very long, you carry
them to the grave -- the result is disaster for the party
for the state
for the people
We got a top candidate: George Romney
We found there is room under the Republican umbrella for lots of opinions
THE RESULTS -- Romney's tax program
New spirit in the state; new confidence.
WHAT ABOUT 1964 ??
The Republicans definitely can win.
We have a good stable of candidates. You and I both know who they are or might be.
No candidate worth his salt can linger in the wings or stand aloof from
the political scene today. Must get off the bench and get out to:
(1) Help Build Party Organization
(2) Speak out on issues -- clarifying
the wide differences between the parties
(3) Buibld Party Unity
(4) Inform public of their own varying
attitudes on important subjects.
Sure,we have differences BUT OUR BASIC PHILOSOPHY OF FREE ENTERPRISE AND
LIMITED GOVERNMENT PERMITS DIFFERENCES AND INVITES COMPROMISES
TO ATTAIN OUR WELL-KNOWN BASIC GOALS.
We have to get out and work. YOU have to get out and work.
honorally
If, because of inertia, dissent or reluctance to compromise our
n
differences we were to delay a united effort until ace convention
time in 1964, we shall have demonstrated to the people of America
that they probably were right to elect a Democratic President and
Democratic Congress in 1960 and 1962.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
CUBA ADMINISTRATION'S INFORMATION POLICY
Mr. Kennedy says things when he wants to and how he wants to --
without consideration for anything other than itspolitical consequences.
When the Cuban prisoner exchange was going through last Christmas,
I wrote the President a long, specific letter asking some pertinent questions
about the ransom deal -- which I still think wasbeneath the dignity of the
United States to agree to. I have received no
answer to that letter,
written two months ago.
Kennedy is one of the WORLD'S GREAT NEWSMANAGERS. If you were to send a
bale of hay to Caroline's pony Macaroni, the
Salinger machinery would move
into high gear and you
would get your picture in the Washington Post. The
President would write a long letterof thankson his best engraved stationery.
Jackie would
squeeze into her slacks and go out and pitch hay to Macaroni
on the White House lawn with photographers. Bobby and his brood would
come over for the afternoon - in hiking shoes of course - and the television
cameras would grind out the happy family scene. America would cheer on schedule
and the Gallup Poll would register another Kennedy public relations triumph.
BUT -- if you sit down in your office and write a long, deliberate letter
expressing concern over the HONOR of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA -- well, don't
bother - you'll get nothing -- nothing.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
IMPORTANCE OF COMPROMISE
Differences between Democrats and Republicans are wide and irreconcilable.
Republicans have many difference within their organisation. True.
What organisation, what family, does not ?
But -- with very few exceptions, these differences can be
accomodated and resolved. Honest compromises can be reached.
Is it fundamentally or morally wrong to achieve an honorable compromise. I SAY "NO."
Forefathers, men of high purpose and solid principle. They all were
dedicated to ideals and principles as clearly enunciated as any
we know today. And they didn't all think alike.
George Washington - James Madison foften called the Father of
u
the Constitution) -- Benjamin Franklin - Governor Morris of
Pennsylvania -- and many others.
How do you suppose men of this type were able to agree on subjects and
wording of such fearful importance ? The essence of the Constitution -- and
of all legislative activity which has taken place under the Constitution -- is
Compromise.
xxixx
Compromise is fundamental to business, to marriage, and to politics.
Compromise is good, and when you fail to remember that and fail to alipx
apply the same principles of compromise our founding fathers applied to the
Constitution - then failure is your reward.
differ on at
I doubt that there is a Republican in America with whom I don't
least one issue. AND I DIFFER WITH MRS. FORD ON MORE THAN THAT.
GERALD FORD NIBRARY
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS ON CAMPAIGNING
Tell the Republican Story in simple, logical words.
1. Stop talking in millions and billions of dollars that's too much for
anyone to understand.
XXX
Example: the federal debt. Explain how much it du costs him each year.
Example: Medicare. Explain how much it will cost him as compared with
private insurance. And how the policy varies.
Example: Public Housing. Explain the cost of this to the govt. and to him,
and the cost of the slums they will create.
Example: Schoolrooms. Explain the cost of local schools and its
effect on individual taxes, and relate that to the
plans to construct federal classrooms in other parts
of the country with federal tax money.
WE REPUBLICANSHAVE CONTENTED OURSELVES SIMPLY WITH SAYING THAT CERTAIN THINGS
ARE DISHONEST, IMMORAL AND WRONG. WE HAVE NOT SPELLED OUT IN THE SIMPLEST TERMS
THE COST OF GOVERNMENT PATERNALISM TO EACH INDIVIDUAL.
2. Start spending money on television and radio.
3. Debunk the silly idea that the Republicans are the party of the privileged.
Democrats believe this NOT because they have any strong evidence, but
simply because they haven't been convinced to the contrary. They are
apt to forget Hyannis Port or the massive wealth represented by the
Mennedys, the Harrimans, the Soapy Williams Clam, the Stevensons and others.
Believing in the brotherhood of man, they tend to xxxgxx applaud the
President's action in resigning from racially segregated Mentropolitan
Club in Washington. And they forget that Hyannis Port and
Palm Beach, where the President plays his golf, are as segregated as
any club or XXXXX community in the country.
MORE RECOMMENDATIONS ON CAMPAIGNING
4.
Tell the truth and tell it often and tell it loudly.
It is beginning to get through to the American People that
you van manage the news just so long.
---- The folks at home are beginning to realize that there is
no substance to the fog of publicity put out by the Kennedys / Price Salenger
+
the rest.
and MoNamaras and Rusks.
2
predict By the election in 1964, Americans will know there is a very
shaky foundation under the House that Jack Built
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
INTRODUCTION
Her.,Humd Heo. Humal June Atom Atom
Texas Longhorn Story
Great, Great Man
Thank Goodness Something Still Done by Hand
If it wasn't for the honor of the thing, I'd rather walk.
Career Sirvey on politics and politicians
"blood in the veins and breath of life in the still bones.. "
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
POLITICAL LABELS -- scorecards .... voting records
These ARE useful, but they are neither infammz in fallible nor entirely objective.
Their accuracy depends on what record votes are used to determine the Congressman's
vote pattern.
Last year there were 293 record votes. But only a dozen are usually
selected by an organization for its purposes
I DENY THAT TEN OR TWELVE VOTES A YEAR TRULY DETERMINE A LEGISLATOR'S PHILOSOPHY.
And certainly it does not accurately reflect a legislator's
ability, honesty, attendance record, reputation, knowledge of his district,
immagination, nex efficiency, effectiveness or determinatãon.
Example: 1962 vote on federal pay raise separated the spenders
from the savers.
I was one of 20 members of the House who voted "No."
This dpill gave pay raises to 2,400,000 govt. employes,
and added about $1,000,000,000 to the budget every year.
The point -- this vote, which was a good measure of fiscal
attitude, was not used by any Conservative rating
agency as a measure of political conservatism or
liberalism. It should have been -- and if it had
a lot of so-called conservatives would have received
lower*scores."
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
WHAT HAS BEEN THE KENNEDY RECORD ?? -- 2
UNEMPLOYMENT
**
We have had a lot of bally-hoo, but unemployment
at the beginning of this year was just where it was when Kennedy
took over in 1962. In fact, it's slightly worse.
FOREIGN POLICY -- Around the world in 30 seconds
Europe - falling into disarray
Canada - disrespect for our government's amateurish handling
of the sensitive nuclear warheads situation
Laos ---- Teetering on the brink of disaster
Viet Name- In for a longy and very costly war
South America -- chaos in most areas. Alliance for Progress
not producing any progress and not
xxxxxxxxxxxx reducing the threat of Communism.
XXXMXXXXX
Is this the best the Democrats can do? Surely if our State and
Defense Departments had employed the proven principles of foreign policy
utilized under the Eisenhower administration, we would not seezthez today
be facing the shambles of American prestige which face us today.
Cuba - see next page
One comment from a letter I received recently puts this situation
well: "We are disarming our overseas bases. Khrushchev told us Not to. He is
building his up. We told him not to."
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
WHAT HASBEEN THE KENNEDY RECORD ?? ----- 3
foreign policy continued
CUBA
CUBA
CUBA ** There is room for legitimate criticism here.
9
I hold no brief for those who make irresponsible charges on either side of
this question, but there is ample room for responsible criticism - and don't forget it.
Stifling critism --- Mr. George Ball, dndersecretary of state, objected last
week to political criticiam of the Cuban situation. I
agree that in times of severe peril (war) we should have
a bi-partisan foreign policy. But in TIMES OF VACILLATION,
MISREPRESENTATION, DRIFT and UNCERTAINTY such as we have today, responsible
criticism is required to put the government back on the
track. I'm just sorry for Mr. Ball, but I won't keep
quite just to let him think. His thoughts haven't been
too productive lately.
Oct.
Legitimate criticism -- the period from Sept. 5 to Aug. 14.
George Ball's statement about "no evidence of ballistic
missiles" was erroneous.
---- Defense department had reason to make more of a
surveillance effort than they did at that time.
"Downgrade the threat was the efficial policy at that time
Oct
Proper Action -- taken from hag. 22 to about Nov. 1
Now - we are putting our head in the sand again. Rusk's missstatement about
Cuba not being used asbase for subversienNX
-- Need better reconnaisance: should resume low-level flights
-- Should take strong action -- replace quarantine and make it stick
GERALD LIBRARY GERALDR. FORD
more
FOREIGN POLICY CONCLUSION
What we need is cool, clear-headed, well-advised leadeship in the
White House.
Fe have a life-and-death struggle on our hands and we have got to
have a man in there who will SLAM HIS FIST DOWN IN FRONT OF CASTRO'S LOUSY BEARD
RIGHT NOW - before the pestilence of Communism sweeps across Central and South
America and consumes us all.
BERALD FORD LIBRARY
REDUBLICAN PARTY PROPOSALS
1. Cuba -- reimpose quarantine and low-level reconnaisance flights
2. Foreigh Aid -- KEXMX Retain it, but be extremely careful to see that
it produces the desired results
3. Taxes - reduce them and remove inequities
4. Budget --- cut it ---- Cut it $5-billion and challenge Kennedy to find another
$5-billion to cut
5. Farm legislation - Begin to free the farmer from the regimentation of
a wasteful farm price support law, and begin to save the
consumber money which is otherwise paid to supportthe
prices and pay farmers for needless production.
6. Defense - Retain the MIXED FOR CE concept of defense asopposed to placing
all our defense eggs into one missile basket.
7. Constitution -- protect it as the most masterful diaz document conceived
in the mind of man.
Protect it against the xxxxxxxxxx efforts of the
Kennedy administration who want to take unto the Executive
Bracnh undue power. Also, prevent Senator Fulbright
from giving up any power to President in foreign policy field -
(which he did not specify but which can only be treaty powers.)
FORD if LIBRARY GERALD