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Livingston County, Caledonia, NY, August 21, 1965
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4525858
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Livingston County, Caledonia, NY, August 21, 1965
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
Speeches
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
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1965
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The original documents are located in Box D18, folder "Livingston County, Caledonia, NY,
August 21, 1965" 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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.
Livingston County NY
Coming directly from Washington I can tell you some of the things going
on along the banks of the Potomac River.
For example.. there's a rumor about a new book about to be published.
It is reported to be the smallest and thinnest books in years.
It's title, I'm told, is: "Secrets Jerry Ford Learned at the White House
and Leaked to the Press."
You may have seen the Joint Leadership news conferences on television.
With my friend Senator Everett Dirksen, I answer questions on what is
GERALD LIBRARY
known as the Ev and Jerry Show..Most of time Ev and I agree on issues.
However, it is obvious we cannot agree on barbershops.
Levengton County n.y aug 21 1965
The Nation cannot afford bureaucracy as usual. Its continuation would
overburden the economy, weaken the military effort in Viet Nam, and lead to
damaging inflation.
Business as usual in non-defense spending is contrary to the best interest
of the United States, It cannot be justified in light of the rapidly increasing
financial demands of the war in Viet Nam.
The cost of the war could go as high as $12 billion a year. And, the war
has already pushed the federal budget above the so-called $100 billion ceiling.
The result is an alarmingly high national debt.
The Johnson Administration's initial budget this year, in view of the
President's escalation of the war, under-funded defense needs by at least
five billion dollars to clear the way for Great Society spending schemes.
RAR
Digitized from Box D18 of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Wherever possible, dollar amounts for non-defense programs should be cut
back or eliminated,
A hard decision must be made on programs which may be desirable in the
short run but can in the long run contribute to the further deterioration
of what is essential in time of war---a sound dollar and a sound economy.
We are nearing the brink of decision between guns and butter, between
absolutely vital war needs and some desirable domestic programs.
*
GERALD
Speaking of Viet Nam, the President has said "..this is really war."
His public statement suggests the need for the submission to the Congress
of the full facts so that the appropriate committees can determine the
"state of the emergency." Secretary McNamara and Secretary Rusk should fully
testify "on the record" so that the Congress, representing the people, can
debåte U.S. committments and policies in Viet Name
GOP-
4
The Republican Party has many things going for it in this significant year,
including signs that the glittering boom may fizzle, An economic flame-out would be
the result of the Democrat Administration-- headed by President Johnson, the biggest
spender of them all---throwing away money faster than it comes in.
The present Administration operates on the theory that to keep the boom in high
ear it has to spend all the time on many unsound non-defense programs that cannot
be justified, Under this philosophy, the Nation is without a financial cushion for
bad times.
It is impossible to expand anti-poverty programs, double funds for area
evelopments on top of last year's Federal bulldozing, reduce taxes on one hand
and jump them on the other to finance a health-care program without ruining the
value of a dollar,
of
Rapidly, economic experts are seeing the danger signals that point toward a
serious decline similar to the one that brought the Nation to its knees in 1929.
Even though today's economy has some built-in stabilizers---unemployment insurance,
social security payments, welfare, and agriculture hand-outs the Federal Govern-
ment is leading the way to the poor-house.
*
*
During times of high national economic activity and unprecedented earnings, this
Administration has piled up $28 billions in new debt. Then along comes President
Johnson asking Congress for another increase in the debt limit that would push us
into the red up to $328 billion. Meanwhile, interest payments on the national debt
have jumped 10 percent in just the past two years.
*
GERALD
ABRARY
I emphasize that extravagance has been displayed in a non-defense spending spres
by the Administration. There should be no cutback in responsible and essential
military funding. In fact, the President took his cue from Congressional Republican
Leadership in getting a $700 million increase for the defense budget.
*
*
*
*
Domestically, Uncle Sam is living on a gigantic national credit card,borrowing
billions of dollars and hoping tomorrow will be better than today. There is nothing
wrong with responsible credit. But, there's a great difference between living within
our budget and plunging headlong into debt beyond our means,
Debt piled on debt has created a threatening menace---inflation, No longer lurk
ing in the background, inflation has emerged as a genuine possibility, thanks to the
free-wheeling spending policies of the Democrat Administration.
GERALD
-3-
Discuss: Several basic concepts of our govt. in some jeopardy today
1. Checks and balances
2. Two-party system
What GOP leadership attempting to do:
1. Constructive alternatives
2. Selective oppposition ( Oppose on some domestic issues, support
Vietnam policy--renindinding that President
makes the day-by-day military decisions)
more
GERALD FORD VERARY
7
Reflecting on the duties and obligations of the third branch of government, it
can be said that the Federal Judiciary's function is to interpret the Constitution
and the laws,
There is evidence that the Judicial Branch is arbitrarily elbowing its way to
new positions of authority, disregerding the wise suggestions of judicial restraint
made by the late Justice Frankfurter and others,
When the Supreme Court ordered states to reapportion on the "one-man, one vote"
concept, Justice Frankfurter in a dissenting opinion was critical of an assumption
by the Court of "destructively novel judicial power."
"In this situation, as in others of like nature, appeal for relief does not
belong here," Justice Frankfurter said. "Appeal must be made to an informed,
civically militant electorate. In a democratic society like ours, relief must come
LIBRARY
through an aroused public conscience that sears the conscience of the people's
representatives."
-more-
8
Justice Frankfurter emphasized that the Supreme "Court's authority--possessed
neither of the purse nor the sword--ultimately rests on sustained public confidence
in its moral sanction."
I have stressed the need to preserve the two-party system as among the major
areas of concern in maintaining our structure of government.
Without any indulgence in partisanship, I am sure we can agree that a strong
two-party system is bedrock assurance that our Democracy will survive, prosper, grow,
and help others in the world to accept their role in the society of free nations.
-more-
GERALD
IBRARY
-12-
Members of the business community
have the knowledge; you have proved a willingness to give more of yourselves
than you receive to make this a better Nation and a better world.
the Nation needs you and your readiness to accept challenges as loyal
citizens of a free society to maintain and strengthen the two-party
political system.
I am confident you are accepting, and will continue to do so, your
responsibilities in an exciting, turbulent, demanding and changing time.
# # #
& LIBRARI GERALD BRAR
Excerpts from a speech by Rep. Gerald Rs Ford (R-Mich)
Viet Nam
Livingston County, Caledonia, New York Aug. 21, 1965
The Nation cannot afford bureaucracy as usual. Its continuation would
overburden the economy, weaken the military effort in Viet Nam, and lead to
damaging inflation.
Business as usual in non-defense spending is contrary to the best interest
of the United States. It cannot be justified in light of the rapidly increasing
financial demands of the war in Viet Nam.
The cost of the war could go as high as $12 billion a year. And, the war
has already pushed the federal budget above the so-called $100 billion ceiling.
The result is an alarmingly high national debt.
The Johnson Administration's initial budget this year, in view of the
President's escalation of the war, under-funded defense needs by at least
five billion dollars to clear the way for Great Society spending schemes.
*
*
*
Wherever possible, dollar amounts for non-defense programs should be cut
back or eliminated.
A hard decision must be made on programs which may be desirable in the
short run but can in the long run contribute to the further deterioration
of what is essential in time of war---a sound dollar and a sound economy.
We are nearing the brink of decision between guns and butter, between
absolutely vital war needs and some desirable domestic programs.
*
*
*
Speaking of Viet Nam, the President has said " this is really war."
His public statement suggests the need for the submission to the Congress
of the full facts so that the appropriate committees can determine the
"state of the emergency." Secretary McNamara and Secretary Rusk should fully
testify "on the record" so that the Congress, representing the people, can
debate U.S. committments and policies in Viet Nam.
#######
Excerpts from a speech by Rep. Gerald R. Ford (R-Mich)
Viet Nam
Livingston County, Caledonia, New York Aug. 21, 1965
The Nation cannot afford bureaucracy as usual. Its continuation would
overburden the economy, weaken the military effort in Viet Nam, and lead to
damaging inflation.
Business as usual in non-defense spending is contrary to the best interest
of the United States. It cannot be justified in light of the rapidly increasing
financial demands of the war in Viet Name
The cost of the war could go as high as $12 billion a year. And, the war
has already pushed the federal budget above the so-called $100 billion ceiling.
The result is an alarmingly high national debt.
The Johnson Administration's initial budget this year, in view of the
President's escalation of the war, under-funded defense needs by at least
five billion dollars to clear the way for Great Society spending schemes.
*
*
*
Wherever possible, dollar amounts for non-defense programs should be cut
back or eliminated.
A hard decision must be made on programs which may be desirable in the
short run but can in the long run contribute to the further deterioration
of what is essential in time of war---a sound dollar and a sound economy.
We are nearing the brink of decision between guns and butter, between
absolutely vital war needs and some desirable domestic programs.
*
*
*
Speaking of Viet Nam, the President has said this is really war."
His public statement suggests the need for the submission to the Congress
of the full facts so that the appropriate committees can determine the
"state of the emergency." Secretary McNamara and Secretary Rusk should fully
testify "on the record" so that the Congress, representing the people, can
debate U.S. committments and policies in Viet Nam.
#######