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Michigan Academy of General Practice, Detroit, MI, March 9, 1966
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Michigan Academy of General Practice, Detroit, MI, March 9, 1966
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
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The original documents are located in Box D19, folder "Michigan Academy of General
Practice, Detroit, MI, March 9, 1966" 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 D19 of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
Detroit, Michigan
Speech excerpts
March 9, 1966
Release for AMs
Michigan Academy of General Practice
March 10, 1966
Three cornerstones of our American political system are in some jeopardy
at this crucial point in national and global history. Suffering from a
serious erosion of balance are:
* The system of checks and balances in the federal government,
* Relationships between the federal government and the 50 states,
* The two party system.
The importance of the three cornerstones to the strength of our political
fabric must not be under-estimated. The wide swing of political pendulums
and public opinion must not destroy any one of them.
Tragically, we find crumbling of power and fading prestige in the
Legislative branch, a change of intended direction in the Judiciary, and an
awesome buildup of strength in the Executive arm.
*
*
*
The shrinking potency of the states can be attributed in part to archaic
state constitutions, inadequate sources of revenue, a lack of dynamic and
resourceful leadership at the state level.
This new pattern of federal control is most vividly illustrated by the
Johnson-Humphrey poverty program, but there is a similar trend developing
in the areas of primary andsecondary education.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
"more-
Gerald R. Ford speech excerpts
page 2
Minority party leadership realizes that under our system no party can
be doctrinaire, sectarian, narrow in its appeal and still attract a
majority of the electorate.
The high middle road of moderation, with unselfish unity, is not only
common sense for a political party it is also representative of the people
and in keeping with the underlying genius of the American political system.
With this format of moderation we aim to correct the imbalance in our
two party system. We are dedicated to restoring vigor and competition in
the political arena so that the cornerstone of two-party government will
again function for a better America.
*
*
*
The people of this Nation are losing patience with the majority party
that is bogged down in disagreement on policy as its leading figures
are engaged in petty feuds. The people are losing patience with an
Administration that vacillates and dodges and shifts position in an attempt
to please all the conflicting elements that make up the majority party,
The question voters must an swer is whether a party so badly divided,
torn internally by disagreement, subject to schizophrenic impulses as it
tries to satisfy its divergent elements can provide leadership needed
in the present crisis.
*
*
*
The responsibility of the American people is to keep our Republic as
intended by the builders of the Constitution, I believe they will meet
the challenge,
#
#
#
CONGRESSMAN
NEWS
GERALD R. FORD
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
RELEASE
Detroit, Michigan
Speech excerpts
March 9, 1966
Release for AMs
Michigan Academy of General Practice
March 10, 1966
Three cornerstones of our American political system are in some jeopardy
at this crucial point in national and global history. Suffering from a
serious erosion of balance are:
* The system of checks and balances in the federal government,
* Relationships between the federal government and the 50 states,
* The two party system.
The importance of the three cornerstones to the strength of our political
fabric must not be under-estimated. The wide swing of political pendulums
and public opinion must not destroy any one of them.
Tragically, we find crumbling of power and fading prestige in the
Legislative branch, a change of intended direction in the Judiciary, and an
awesome buildup of strength in the Executive arm.
*
*
*
The shrinking potency of the states can be attributed in part to archaic
state constitutions, inadequate sources of revenue, a lack of dynamic and
resourceful leadership at the state level.
This new pattern of federal control is most vividly illustrated by the
Johnson-Humphrey poverty program, but there is a similar trend developing
in the areas of primary andsecondary education.
FORD is LIBRARY BERALD
-more-
Gerald R. Ford speech excerpts
page 2
Minority party leadership realizes that under our system no party can
be doctrinaire, sectarian, narrow in its appeal
and still attract a
majority of the electorate.
The high middle road of moderation, with unselfish unity, is not only
common sense for a political party it is also representative of the people
and in keeping with the underlying genius of the American political system.
With this format of moderation we aim to correct the imbalance in our
two party system. We are dedicated to restoring vigor and competition in
the political arena so that the cornerstone of two-party government will
again function for a better America.
*
The people of this Nation are losing patience with the majority party
that is bogged down in disagreement on policy as its leading figures
are engaged in petty feuds. The people are losing patience with an
Administration that vacillates and dodges and shifts position in an attempt
to please all the conflicting elements that make up the majority party.
The question voters must an swer is whether a party so badly divided,
torn internally by disagreement, subject to schizophrenic impulses as it
tries to satisfy its divergent elements can provide leadership needed
in the present crisis.
The responsibility of the American people is to keep our Republic as
intended by the builders of the Constitution, I believe they will meet
the challenge,
#
#
#
The following pages were digitized from poor quality originals.
READING MM
Michigan Academy of General Practice
Detroit, Michigan Narch " 1966
Three corneratones of our American political system are in come
jespardy in this crusial period of mational and global history.
There may be other fundamental American political esneepts that are
suffering from the serious erosien of inbalance in government, but
I will limit my observations to the followings
1. The system of checks and balances in the federal government, or the
abdication of responsibilities in the Resentive, Legislative and
Judisial branches;
2. The relationships between the federal government and the 50 states;
3. The two-party system,
FORD if LIBRARY GERALD
Each of these three cornerstones has contributed significantly to
America's freedom and progress. All but one are constitutionally
ordained. Their importance to the strength of our political fabric
must not be underwestimated. The wide swine of political penjulums
and public opinion must not destroy any one of them.
The first cornerstore was built in Constitution Hall by the wise
drafters of our federal Constitution almost 200 years ago. Their theory
was to separate power
to give specific responsibilities to each
branch
of
national
government.
to give each strength and authority.
I haston to add--there was to be no measure of superiority--one
over another.
The provisions in the historic document were designed to provide a strong
bulwark against the concentration of power in the hands of one person,
one group, or one segment of our government.
The architects of the Constitution were understandably concerned with
concentrations of power. They knew Mrstehan of the the to tangers in
the mis-use of power. Most of them->>- their forefathers--had fled from
LIBRARY
tyrang, on resotion and autocracy in Westorn Earope.
Detroit
-30
They had suffered severe privation and maximum danger to discover and
establish a new land of freedom.
In drafting a document for the governing of a nov nation, they insisted
on them a balance of power among the three branches
of government.
It is obvious from their deliberations that we should have a strong
President heading the Executive branchs a strong Congress representing
the Legislative branch) and a strong Judicial branch headed by the
Supreme Court.
In my judgment, the Nation today has drifted from the resolution and intent
woven into "the Constitution. Tragically, we find an erosion of power and
fading prestige in the Legislative branch...we noe a change of intended
direction in the Juidiciary, which has artitrarily elbowed its way into
areas outside its jurisdiction.cand we see a terrifying build up of
strength in the Executive arm,
Detroit
abo
No raised an arm of eaution to the courts by suggesting they might stay
out of the thicket of political matters relying in such cases on the
"ultimate sound judgment of the conscience of the voters."
I favor a strong and firm attitude by our courts....to bring reason, order,
and respect for the law. As one reviews the recent decisions of our highest
court there is deep concern for the rights of the individual or the minority.
This is proper but at some point those in the majority have reasonable and
legitimate rights.
Another cornerstone in America's political system is the relationship between
our states and national government. Those who met in Constitution Hall
represented sovereign states and commonwealths. Their purpose was to create a
document for a new nation that would permit the federal government to assune
those responsibilities essential for the national welfare the common
defense and a postal system among them. It was intended that the traditional
role of local government be retained.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
Dotroit
-10-
We in the minority party leadership realize that under our system no party
can be dectrinaire, sectarian, narrow in its appeal and still attract
a majority of the electorate.
The high middle road of moderation with unselfish unity is not only common
sense when for a political party, 1t is also representative of the people
and in keeping with the underlying genius of the American political system,
With this format of moderation we aim to correct the imbal ance in our
two-party system. We are dedicated to restoring vigor and competition
in the political arens so that the cornerstone of. two-party government
will again function for a better America.
Prior to the dinner, a number asked for my abservations on Viet Name Without
getting into politics here's 's what I think A! an American.
We have seen demonstrations in Washington and sleewhere. We have seen the
placards asking "why die for Plat Xev."
QERALD FORD LIBRARY
Detroit
allo
How many of us remember similar questions raised by irrespensible voices
more than 25 years ago. They askedown "Why die for the Suistenland?"...
"Why die for Densig?"
We know now...and many did then--that these voices were serving the purposes
of Kitler's Masi aggreesion. As the placard-carriers eried for peace at any
price, the seeds of Puchemwald, Belson and Nordhausen were taking reot.
Today, draft card burners and those who blockade shipments of military
personnel and supplies cry for peace at any price while the seeds of
Communist atrocity take sect. Yet the appeacers speak of nerality.
Some are concerned with the physicall uncleamliness of the irrespensible
protesters. I an not BO much concerned with their personal hygions as
with their moral sterility. But, if their words and actions of a time
minority of exhibitionists may lead to a miscalculation by the energy as to
America's determination, how much more dangerous are the discords coming
from the governing party in our Nation's Capital. We know any misseloulation
by the Communists in Peking, Nano1 and could have frightening and
devastating consequences for all markind,
Detroit
-12-
The people of this Nation are losing patience with the majority party that
is bogged down in disagreement on policy and in petty feuds among its
leading figures. The people are losing patience with an Administration that
vacillates and dodges and shifts position in an attempt to please all the
conflicting elements that make up the majority Party.
The public has long tolerated the divisions within the majority party that
produce conflict in matters of domestic policy. Now, however, deep
disagreement on foreign policy has appeared. It leaves the public confused,
apprehensive, and angry.
Why the uncertainties and misunderstandings and fears about the war in
Viet New In great part they are the result of the inability of the party
in power to agree on whether Americans should be in Viet Nam st all, what
our Netion is trying to achieve there, and whether the right means are being
used,
Can a party so badly divided, torn internally by disagreement about the path
the Nation should follow, subject to schisephrenic impulses as it tries
to satisfy Its divergent elements, provide leadership need in the present
crisis? Let NO answer this ways
Detroit
&
As a former football player and coach, I cannot help but relate the
majority party division and discord over Viet Nam to a football game.
Imagine if you will the Administration 8 quad playing a championship game
against the Big Red team. The consequences are great and the stakes high.
The head comch, LBJ, before the kick-off, is painfully pleading for unity.
In the haddle on the first play the team's now quarterback, Hurry-Up Hubert,
calls the signals.
At this moment, left guard Fulbright raises his head and with a voice that
clearly carries to the opposition, disputes the played called by IBJ and HMH.
When the play is run, left guard Fulbright actually good off in the
epposite-direction.
In the second quarter, left end Bobby Kennedy stalks from the huddle and
announces to all who will listen that he is going to start his own game of
touch=footiall with his own team at the other end of the field.
If this 1sn't enough trouble for LBJ and Nurry-Up Rubert, on almost every
play the roll-out left halfback Wayne Morse deliberately trips that
flash ball-carrier, Whipping Boy Russell Long.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Detroit
-24-
Whenever there is a tim-out, water boy Bill Moyers dashes on the field
to,save the day by stuffing a wet sponge in the mouths of all be can
corral.
Just as this lack of teamwork would be disastrous in a football game,
in the serious Viet Nam situation 1t can load only to prolongation of
the wer, underwining the morale of our fighting men, and encouragement
of the Communist aggressor.
I have talked as though I am fearful, apprehensive and pessimistic.
I m..but to a very limited extent. I am optimistic, for I have a
strong faith in the good Judgment of the American people. When alerted
to dangers tax to their government they respond.
-pare®
FORD & IBRAR