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Academy of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, October 18, 1966
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Academy of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, October 18, 1966
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The original documents are located in Box D21, folder "Academy of Medicine, Cincinnati,
OH, October 18, 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 D20 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8 P.M.
10-18-66
ADDRESS OF REPRESENTATIVE GERALD R. FORD [R. Mich.]
At the ACADEMY OF MEDICINE,
CINCINNATI, OHIO
8 P.M., TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1966
OUR AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM IS IN JEOPARDY IN THIS
CRUCIAL PERIOD OF NATIONAL AND GLOBAL HISTORY.
MAY
THAT MY STRIKE YOU AS A RATHER STARTLING STATEMENT.
FORGETTING VIETNAM FOR THE MOMENT, YOU MAY LOOK ABOUT YOU AND SEE
NOTHING MUCH TO BE ALARMED ABOUT.
FALL IS A BEAUTIFUL TIME OF YEAR. IT BATHES THE EYEBALLS
WITH LOVELY COLOR. IT NIPS AT THE BLOOD. IT'S A TIME OF TINGLE
AND EXCITEMENT. IT'S A TIME OF HARVEST AND FOOTBALL GAMES AND
POM-POM GIRLS.
AS THE FELLER SAYS, "IT'S ALL IN THE WAY YOU LOOK AT IT."
THAT, LIKE so MANY OF THE STATEMENTS EMANATING FROM WASHINGTON TODAY
IS A HALF-TRUTH. FACTS, THE STARK FACTS, ARE THERE. AND NO
AMOUNT OF SUGAR-COATING, NO PUTTING ON OF YOU-NEVER-HAD-IT-SO-GOOD
SPECTACLES CAN CHANGE THEM.
LOOK ABOUT YOU AT TODAY'S AMERICA, AND WHAT DO YOU SEE?
YOU FIND:
Page 1
GERALD FORD
Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
A MONUMENTAL CRISIS IN CRIME INSTEAD OF
DOMESTIC SAFETY AND SECURITY.
MOBOCRACY AND RIOTS IN THE STREETS INSTEAD
CF PEACE AMONG OUR CITIZENRY.
HISTORY'S HIGHEST COST OF LIVING INSTEAD OF
PRICE STABILITY.
A SHRUNKEN AND STILL SHRINKING DOLLAR INSTEAD
OF REASONABLE RATES EQUITABLE TO BOTH BORROWER
AND LENDER.
A DEPRESSION IN RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION INSTEAD
OF A HEALTHY AND GROWING HOME BUILDING PACE.
ADMINISTRATION ACTIONS TO FORCE DOWN FARM PRICES
INSTEAD OF A FARM ECONOMY BASED ON FREE AND
FAIR MARKET PRICES.
A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE IN OUR PRESIDENT AND IN
OUR GOVERNMENT INSTEAD OF NATIONAL TRUST.
RECKLESS FEDERAL SPENDING ON NON-ESSENTIAL
DOMESTIC PROGRAMS INSTEAD OF PRUDENT AND
FRUGAL USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
THE PROSPECT OF HIGHER TAXES INSTEAD OF
POSSIBLE TAX REDUCTIONS.
WAR, AND STALEMATE IN THAT WAR, INSTEAD OF PEACE.
AS THE
OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM IS IN GRAVE TROUBLE.
LET ME TELL YOU WHY.
ON FOUR CORNERSTONES
OUR POLITICAL STRUCTURE IS BUILT
ALL ARE
BEING SHAKEN; SOME ARE CRUMBLING. THOSE CORNERSTONES ARE:
1. THE SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES IN OUR
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT;
2. THE DIVISION OF POWERS BETWEEN THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AND THE STATES, WITH CERTAIN POWERS
AND RIGHTS RESERVED TO THE STATES;
3. THE RULE OF LAW; AND
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
4. THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM.
Page 2
Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
EACH OF THESE CORNERSTONES HAS CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO
AMERICA'S FREEDOM AND PROGRESS. ALL BUT ONE ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY
ORDAINED. THE WIDE SWING WE HIME WITNESSED IN AMERICA'S POLITICAL
PENDULUM m 1964 MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO DESTROY ANY OF THEM.
THE FIRST CORNERSTONE OF OUR POLITICAL HOUSE WAS LAID IN
CONSTITUTION HALL ALMOST 200 YEARS AGO BY THE WISE FRAMERS OF OUR
NATION'S BASIC LAW. IT WAS THEIR THEORY THAT THE POWER TO GOVERN
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SHOULD BE ASSIGNED TO THREE BRANCHES OF
GOVERNMENT -- SEPARATE AND EQUAL / THIS WAS TO PREVENT ANY ONE BRANCH
OF GOVERNMENT --- THE EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, OR JUDICIAL -- FROM
BECOMING TOO POWERFUL.
EACH BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT WAS GIVEN SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILI-
TIES; EACH WAS GIVEN A MEASURE OF STRENGTH AND AUTHORITY. THE
WORDS CLOTHING EACH BRANCH /WITH ITS PORTION OF POWER WERE CAREFULLY
CHOSEN TO PREVENT CONCENTRATION OF POWER IN THE HANDS OF ONE PERSON,
ONE GROUP, OR ONE SEGMENT OF OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.
IN MY JUDGMENT, THE NATION TODAY HAS DEPARTED FROM THE
RESOLUTION AND INTENT WOVEN INTO THE MAGNIFICENT DOCUMENT THAT IS
OUR CONSTITUTION. TRAGICALLY, WE FIND A TERRIFYING BUILDUP OF
POWER IN THE EXECUTIVE, A JUDICIARY WHICH HAS ARBITRARILY ELBOWED
ITS WAY INTO AREAS OUTSIDE ITS JURISDICTION, AND A LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH WHICH HAS EARNED THE LABEL "RUBBER STAMP" AMID FADING OF
ITS STRENGTH AND PRESTIGE.
Page 3
G erald R. Ford
10-18-66
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE DIVISION OF POWERS BETWEEN THE
WHEN
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATES? WHEY THEY LAID THIS CORNERSTONE
OF OUR SYSTEM, THE WRITERS OF THE CONSTITUTION SOUGHT TO PRESERVE
THE TRADITIONAL ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT WHILE ASSIGNING TO THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE NATIONAL WELFARE.
WHAT DO WE FIND TODAY? WE FIND THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF
CITIES ISSUING A GUIDE TO FEDERAL AID FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. WHY?
BECAUSE IT'S A MUST FOR CITY OFFICIALS TRYING TO GROPE THEIR WAY
THROUGH THE FEDERAL JUNGLE IN SEARCH OF MANNA FEDERAL AID FOR
URBAN PROGRAMS. I DON'T BLAME THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES IN THE
LEAST. THEY'RE ACTING IN SELF-DEFENSE, so TO SPEAK. BUT THE
DEPENDENCE OF OUR CITIES ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE GIANT TAX
COLLECTOR, IS A SHOCKING DEVELOPMENT IN THE POLITICAL LIFE OF THIS
NATION.
HOW BIG IS THE LEAGUE'S BOOK? IT'S 200 PAGES -- 200 PAGES
COVERING MORE THAN 100 FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO COMMUNI'- =
TIES OF ALL SIZES. THE GRANT-IN-AID PROGRAMS RANGE FROM URBAN
RENEWAL AND AIR POLLUTION CONTROL TO EDUCATION AND OUTDOOR
RECREATION ASSISTANCE.
I THINK IT'S SIGNIFICANT THAT IT WAS IN 1961, AFTER THE
EISENHOWER ADMINISTRATION LEFT OFFICE, THAT THE LEAGUE OF CITIES
FIRST PUBLISHED ITS HANDBOOK. THEN so MANY CHANGES OCCURRED IN THE
NEXT TWO YEARS THAT THE LEAGUE REVISED ITS HANDBOOK IN 1963.
Page 4
GERALD
Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
SINCE THEN, WITH THE JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION IN POWER, THE HANDBOOK
HAS UNDERGONE A COMPLETE REVISION AND CHANGE IN CONCEPT. IT NOW
COMES WITH LOOSE-LEAF PAGES so THAT PROGRAM REVISIONS AND ADDITIONS
CAN EASILY BE INSERTED INTO THE BOOK AS GREAT SOCIETY PROGRAMS
EXPAND AND PROLIFERATE. I THINK WE NEED A GREAT SOCIETY
NON-PROLIFERATION AGREEMENT ALMOST AS BADLY AS WE DO A NUCLEAR
NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY.
OURS IS A COMPLEX SOCIETY. WE DO NEED A NATIONAL GOVERN-
MENT OF STRONG AND RESOLUTE PURPOSE. BUT WE NEED A NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT THAT IS THE SERVANT AND NOT THE MASTER OF THE PEOPLE.
WE NEED STRONG GOVERNMENT WITHOUT THE SMOTHERING EFFECTS OF
CONCENTRATED POWER. WE NEED TO PRESERVE FREEDOM IN OUR DECISION-
MAKING, AND TO DO THAT WE MUST KEEP THAT DECISION-MAKING AS CLOSE
TO THE CITIZENRY AS POSSIBLE. WE MUST STRENGTHEN OUR STATE AND
LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT.
THE MEN WHO DRAFTED OUR FEDERAL CONSTITUTION SET FORTH
THEIR AIMS IN AN ELOQUENT PREAMBLE TO THAT DOCUMENT. LISTED HIGH
AMONG THOSE OBJECTIVES WAS THIS ONE: "TO INSURE DOMESTIC
TRANQUILLITY." DO WE HAVE DOMESTIC TRANQUILLITY IN THIS NATION
TODAY? NO. WE SEE MOBS TEARING AT THE SOCIAL FABRIC OF THE NATION.
WE SEE A KIND OF MADNESS SWEEPING THE LAND.
ARSON, SNIPING,
LOOTING.
SCARRING PARTS OF OUR GREAT CITIES, LIKE THE HOUGH
SECTION OF CLEVELAND.
Page 5
Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
THE RULE OF LAW IS ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES ON WHICH THIS
NATION STANDS IN THE CIVILIZED WORLD. WITHOUT IT WE ARE REDUCED
TO SAVAGERY. AND THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE WITNESSED IN RECENT MONTHS.
ONE OF THE GREAT FALLACIES OF OUR TIME IS THAT RIOTING IN
THE STREETS IS DIRECTLY DUE TO UNEMPLOYMENT. I SAY THIS IS A
FALLACY BECAUSE A STUDY OF THE LOS ANGELES WATTS AREA RIOT HAS
S HOWN THAT THE TYPICAL MALE INVOLVED THERE WAS NOT A JOBLESS DRIFTER.
HE WAS EMPLOYED.
RIOTS? WHAT ARE THEY? THEY ARE AN EXPLOSION OF EMOTIONS,
AN UNREASONING OUTBURST WHICH CAN RESULT FROM AN ACCUMULATION OF
FRUSTRATIONS AND BITTERNESS. THE FRUSTRATIONS AND BITTERNESS MAY
HAVE A BASIS IN TRUTH OR ARISE FROM MISTAKEN FEELINGS OF INJUSTICE
DONE. BUT THEY ARE FED BY PROMISES THAT CANNOT BE QUICKLY KEPT AND
BY THE AROUSING OF GREAT EXPECTATIONS. WHEN THESE ARE DRESSED UP
WITH A POVERTY WAR LABEL AND PERFORMANCE FALLS FAR SHORT OF PROMISE
CYNICISM, ANGER AND AN I'LL-TAKE-IT-FOR-MYSELF ATTITUDE CAN BE THE
PRODUCT.
WHY RIOTS? THE ANSWER IS TIED CLOSELY TO A GOVERNMENT
WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE ALL AMERICANS WITH MORE MATERIAL THINGS
WHILE IGNORING THE IDEALS WHICH MADE AMERICANS A FREE PEOPLE. OUR
TODAY
GOVERNMENT DORY IS CONCERNED WITH THINGS, NOT WITH PEOPLE AND
NATIONAL CAUSES. THIS IS THE SICKNESS WHICH AFFLICTS MODERN
AMERICA.
GERALD
Page 6
Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
WE HAVE STRAYED FROM THE RULE OF LAW. OUR GOVERNMENTAL
LEADERS, BY DEALING IN HALF-TRUTHS AND MISINFORMATION, LEAD US TO
BELIEVE THAT HONOR AND JUSTICE ARE JUST WORDS. THE MESSAGE IS THAT
THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS.
THEY ENCOURAGE THE IDEA THAT IF AN INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERS A
SOCIAL OBJECTIVE DESIRABLE, THEN HE IS JUSTIFIED IN EMPLOYING ANY
MEANS TO ATTAIN IT -- EVEN IF THIS INVOLVES BREAKING THE LAW AND
TRAMPLING UPON THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF OTHERS.
I MAINTAIN THAT THE RIOTS WE HAVE SEEN THIS YEAR HAVE
LITTLE GENUINE RELATIONSHIP TO THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. THEY
ARE TRAGIC BECAUSE THEY HAVE RESULTED IN A REGRETTABLE SETBACK FOR
THE LEGITIMATE RIGHTS OF 22 MILLION AMERICANS -- A SETBACK RESULTING
FROM THE MISGUIDED ZEAL OF A FEW MISTAKEN LEADERS.
OUR INTERNAL SECURITY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED THROUGH A LONG
HISTORY OF JUSTICE UNDER LAW. IF OUR JURY SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING
PROPERLY, LET'S DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG AND MAKE IT RIGHT. IF OUR
CITIES HAVE BECOME ASPHALT JUNGLES, LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO REMEDY
THEIR ILLS.
WE MUST RESTORE RESPECT FOR LAW AND ORDER IN OUR LAND.
OF COURSE, THIS IS NOT EASY WHEN THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES THCUGHTLESSLY MAKES THE REMARK THAT HE HAS "ENOUGH SPARK
LEFT IN [HIM] TO LEAD A MIGHT GOOD REVOLT UNDER [CERTAIN]
CONDITIONS."
Page 7
Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
WE NEED A REBIRTH OF REVERENCE FOR THE RULE OF LAW
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM IN THIS COUNTRY. WE NEED LEADERS WHO SPEAK
OUT CONSISTENTLY FOR LAW AND ORDER, NOT MEN WHO DEPLORE RIOTS ONE
MINUTE AND ENCOURAGE THEM THE NEXT.
LET'S HAVE PROGRESS IN THIS COUNTRY - BUT LET'S HAVE IT
UNDER LAW. LET NOT AMERICANS WHO FEEL DOWNTRODDEN BELIEVE THAT THE
WAY TO OBTAIN REDRESS IS TO RIOT IN THE STREETS. WE DON'T NEED
MOLOTOV COCKTAIL THROWING. WE DON'T NEED TOP ADMINISTRATION
LEADERS WHO ARE WILLING TO "LEAD A MIGHTY GOOD REVOLT." WE NEED
LEADERS WHO WILL DISCOURAGE, RATHER THAN ENCOURAGE CRIMINAL ACTIONS.
DURING THIS LAST SESSION OF CONGRESS I STRONGLY SUPPORTED
LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD MAKE IT A FEDERAL CRIME FOR ANYONE TO TRAVEL
IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE OR USE THE FACILITIES OF INTERSTATE COMMERCE
WITH THE INTENT
TO
INCIT
A RIOT OR OTHER FORMS OF VIOLENCE. WE
NEED THAT KIND OF FEDERAL LAW TO DEAL WITH IRRESPONSIBLE LEADERS
AND PROFESSIONAL AGITATORS. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS LEGISLATION DID
NOT HAVE THE BACKING OF THE JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION.
I HAVE DELIBERATELY REFRAINED FROM SPEAKING OF THIS
NATION'S MONUMENTAL CRISIS IN CRIME IN THE SAME BREATH WITH STREET
RIOTS. I DO NOT PLACE THE STREET RIOTER IN THE SAME CATEGORY WITH
THE PROFESSIONAL CRIMINAL. WE WILL PERHAPS ALWAYS HAVE PROFESSIONAL
NOT
CRIMINALS. BUT WE NEED NO HAVE RIOTS.
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Page 8
Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
THE JOHNSON ADMINIISTRATION HAS DONE LITTLE TO SPUR A
CRUSADE AGAINST CRIME IN THIS COUNTRY. AND YET THE FBI TELLS US
THE CRIME RATE HAS CLIMBED BY 48 PER CENT SINCE 1960, SIX TIMES
FASTER THAN THE INCREASE IN POPULATION.
IN MANY OF OUR CITIES, AMERICANS ARE AFRAID TO WALK THE
STREETS AT NIGHT. WOMEN AND CHILDREN STAY INDOORS FOR FEAR OF
ATTACK.
SOME CONTEND THAT CRIME SPRINGS MAINLY FROM CONDITIONS OF
POVERTY. IF THIS WERE TRUE, THE U.S. CRIME RATE SHOULD BE FALLING
IN MR. JOHNSON'S GREAT SOCIETY. AFTER ALL, THE ADMINISTRATION :
BRAGS ABOUT AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF LESS THAN 4 PER CENT -- NEVER
MENTIONING, OF COURSE, THAT THE VIETNAM WAR IS A BIG FACTOR IN THE
SITUATION.
WE HAVE TRAVELED FARTHER AND FARTHER DOWN THE ROAD TOWARD
BECOMING A COMPLETE WELFARE STATE -- AND YET THE CRIME RATE CON-
THAT
TINUES ITS FRIGHTENINGLY SWIFT RISE. I SAY
ECONOMIC SECURITY
FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE IS NOT THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM OF
CRIME.
CRIME BREEDS AND SPREADS IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF LAWLESSNESS.
IT FEEDS ON COMMUNITY APATHY AND THE UNWILLINGNESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL
CITIZEN TO BECOME INVOLVED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TO SUPPORT IT
ADEQUATELY WITH HIS LOCAL TAX DOLLARS. LOCALLY, A COMMUNITY GETS
JUST ABOUT THE KIND OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IT DESERVES. NATIONALLY,
Page 9
Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
WE LOOK TO OUR LEADERS TO PROVIDE US WITH EXAMPLE, NOT WITH
EXHORTATION AND RHETORIC. WHILE THE FRONT LINE IN ANY WAR AGAINST
CRIME MUST BE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE
NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION SET A TONE THAT COMMANDS RESPECT FOR LAW
AND ORDER. THAT TONE IS LACKING IN THIS NATION TODAY. WE HEAR
THE RIGHT WORDS, BUT THE WORDS ARE MEANINGLESS BECAUSE THEY LACK
SUBSTANCE.
WE HAVE TODAY A PRESIDENT WHO IS FILLED TO OVERFLOWING
WITH GOOD INTENTIONS. THE PRESIDENT'S APPETITE FOR DOING THINGS
FOR US IS INSATIABLE. THE TROUBLE IS HE NOT ONLY DOES THINGS FOR
US, HE ALSO DOES THINGS TO US.
TODAY WE HAVE COME AS CLOSE TO ONE-MAN GOVERNMENT IN THIS
COUNTRY AS AT ANY TIME IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY. WHEN A MAN WITH
LYNDON JOHNSON'S HUNGER FOR POWER IS GIVEN A CONGRESS WHICH SERVES
AS A RUBBER STAMP FOR HIS REQUESTS, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN THIS
COUNTRY BECOMES A MOCKERY.
IN HIS 1966 STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE, MR. JOHNSON SAID:
"I BELIEVE WE CAN CONTINUE THE GREAT SOCIETY WHILE WE FIGHT IN
VIETNAM." WITH THAT HE PROCEEDED TO DUMP ANOTHER BASKETFUL OF
LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS'S LAP AND MAKE KNOWN HIS PLANS TO EXPAND
SPENDING ON GREAT SOCIETY PROGRAMS BY $3.2 BILLION.
Page 10
Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
AT THE CLOSE OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE 89TH CONGRESS,
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MIKE MANSFIELD VOWED THAT IN ITS SECOND
SESSION THE 89TH CONGRESS WOULD "SPEND LESS TIME ON NEW LEGISLATION
AND MORE TIME CORRECTING OVERSIGHTS IN LEGISLATION WE HAVE JUST
PASSED." HE ADDED: "WE HAVE PASSED A LOT OF MAJOR BILLS AT THIS
SESSION, SOME OF THEM VERY HASTILY, AND THEY STAND IN EXTREME NEED
OF A GOING-OVER FOR LOOPHOLES, ROUGH CORNERS, AND PARTICULARLY FOR
AN ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND ULTIMATE COST IN THE FRAMEWORK OF OUR
CAPACITY TO MEET IT."
WELL, LYNDON JOHNSON CHANGED ALL THAT. HE SIMPLY
ANNOUNCED THAT WE COULD AFFORD BOTH THE VIETNAM WAR AND AN EXPANDED
GREAT SOCIETY. AND HE INSISTED WE COULD HAVE PROSPERITY WITHOUT
INFLATION. HE WAS WRONG ON BOTH COUNTS. BUT HE HAD A RUBBERSTAMP
CONGRESS THAT WOULDN'T STAND UP TO HIM.
THERE HAS BEEN NO ROUNDING OFF OF ROUGH CORNERS, NO
PLUGGING OF LOOPHOLES, NO ASSESSMENT OF GREAT SOCIETY COSTS. THAT
IS ONE-MAN GOVERNMENT.
I BELIEVE THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY HAS BECOME SO
INTOXICATING FOR LYNDON JOHNSON THAT HE BELIEVES HE CAN ACCOMPLISH
ANYTHING HE SETS HIS MIND TO. THE RESULT OF THIS PRESIDENTIAL
ARROGANCE, THIS MISTAKEN EXERCISE OF EXCESSIVE POWER, IS A CRISIS
IN OUR ECONOMY -- UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE FUTURE, A FALTERING WHICH
THREATENS US ALL.
Page 11
Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
TODAY AMERICA HAS A PRESIDENT WHO DELIGHTS IN THE USE OF
EVERY OUNCE OF HIS POWER, AND FROM CAPITOL HILL THAT POWER LOOKS
TREMENDOUS. TODAY AMERICA HAS MORE AND MORE NEED FOR A LIMITATION
ON THAT POWER. THAT LIMITATION NOW IS PRESENT IN MEAGER FORM.
THE DEMOCRATS CONTROL BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS BY BETTER THAN 2 TO
1 MAJORITIES.
THE MINORITY IS TRADITIONALLY CALLED "THE LOYAL OPPOSITION"
WE ARE LOYAL AMERICANS. BUT WE ARE SO PITIFULLY SMALL IN NUMBERS
THAT WE CAN'T REALLY PUT UP EFFECTIVE OPPOSITION. WHAT WE LACKED
IN NUMBERS IN THE 89TH CONGRESS WE TRIED TO MAKE UP FOR IN THE
VIGOR WITH WHICH WE PRESENTED OUR CASE.
BUT THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR STRENGTH IN NUMBERS. THERE
IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR PROPER BALANCE IN GOVENMENT. REPUBLICANS
ARE DEDICATED TO RESTORING THAT BALANCE SO THAT THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM
AGAIN WILL FUNCTION IN THIS COUNTRY AS A CORNERSTONE OF OUR GOVERN-
MENT. THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM AS A CORNERSTONE OF OUR POLITICAL
SYSTEM WAS NOT PROVIDED FOR IN THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. BUT IT IS
VITAL TO THE PROPER FUNCTIONING OF OUR GOVERNMENT, ALONG WITH THE
SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES, THE DIVISION OF POWERS BETWEEN THE
STATES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THE RULE OF LAW.
WHEN ONE OF OUR MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES ACHIEVES LOPSIDED
MAJORITIES IN THE CONGRESS, OUR ENTIRE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT REACHES
PERIL POINT. AND THAT IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO US AS A RESULT OF
THE 1964 CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS.
Page 12
Gerald R. R
Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
THERE IS NO WAY TO PUT LEGISLATION THROUGH THE CRUCIBLE
OF STRONG DEBATE AND A MEANINGFUL AMENDING PROCESS WHEN ONE PARTY
IS WOEFULLY WEAK IN CONGRESS. THIS IS THE SITUATION WE NOW FACE.
THIS IS THE SITUATION THAT MUST BE REMEDIED FOR THE GOOD OF THE
NATION.
CONGRESS NOW IS A PAWN IN THE HANDS OF THE WHITE HOUSE.
MORE THAN 50 PER CENT OF THE MEMBERS ARE PUPPETS WHO DANCE WHEN THE
PRESIDENT PULLS THE STRINGS.
IF WE ARE TO RESTORE BALANCE IN GOVERNMENT, IF WE ARE TO
ADEQUATELY PROTECT ALL SEGMENTS OF OUR SOCIETY, WE MUST MAKE CONGRESS
INDEPENDENT ONCE MORE AND AGAIN CAPABLE OF WORKING ITS WILL.
I TRUST THAT THIS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL DO IN THIS
CRUCIAL TESTING TIME OF 1966. THANK YOU.
-end-
Page 13
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8 P.M.
10-18-66
ADDRESS OF REPRESENTATIVE GERALD R. FORD [R. Mich.]
At the ACADEMY OF MEDICINE,
CINCINNATI, OHIO
8 P.M., TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1966
OUR AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM IS IN JEOPARDY IN THIS
CRUCIAL PERIOD OF NATIONAL AND GLOBAL HISTORY.
MAY
THAT STRIKE YOU AS A RATHER STARTLING STATEMENT.
FORGETTING VIETNAM FOR THE MOMENT, YOU MAY LOOK ABOUT YOU AND SEE
NOTHING MUCH TO BE ALARMED ABOUT.
FALL IS A BEAUTIFUL TIME OF YEAR. IT BATHES THE EYEBALLS
WITH LOVELY COLOR. IT NIPS AT THE BLOOD. IT'S A TIME OF TINGLE
AND EXCITEMENT. IT'S A TIME OF HARVEST AND FOOTBALL GAMES AND
POM-POM GIRLS.
AS THE FELLER SAYS, "IT'S ALL IN THE WAY YOU LOOK AT IT."
THAT, LIKE so MANY OF THE STATEMENTS EMANATING FROM WASHINGTON TODAY
IS A HALF-TRUTH. FACTS, THE STARK FACTS, ARE THERE. AND NO
AMOUNT OF SUGAR-COATING, NO PUTTING ON OF YOU-NEVER-HAD-IT-SO-GOOD
SPECTACLES CAN CHANGE THEM.
LOOK ABOUT YOU AT TODAY'S AMERICA, AND WHAT DO YOU SEE?
YOU FIND:
Page 1
GERALD LIBRARY GERALD R. FORD
Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
A MONUMENTAL CRISIS IN CRIME INSTEAD OF
DOMESTIC SAFETY AND SECURITY.
MOBOCRACY AND RIOTS IN THE STREETS INSTEAD
CF PEACE AMONG OUR CITIZENRY.
HISTORY'S HIGHEST COST OF LIVING INSTEAD OF
PRICE STABILITY.
A SHRUNKEN AND STILL SHRINKING DOLLAR INSTEAD
OF REASONABLE RATES EQUITABLE TO BOTH BORROWER
AND LENDER.
A DEPRESSION IN RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION INSTEAD
OF A HEALTHY AND GROWING HOME BUILDING PACE.
ADMINISTRATION ACTIONS TO FORCE DOWN FARM PRICES
INSTEAD OF A FARM ECONOMY BASED ON FREE AND
FAIR MARKET PRICES.
A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE IN OUR PRESIDENT AND IN
OUR GOVERNMENT INSTEAD OF NATIONAL TRUST.
RECKLESS FEDERAL SPENDING ON NON-ESSENTIAL
DOMESTIC PROGRAMS INSTEAD OF PRUDENT AND
FRUGAL USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
THE PROSPECT OF HIGHER TAXES INSTEAD OF
POSSIBLE TAX REDUCTIONS.
WAR, AND STALEMATE IN THAT WAR, INSTEAD OF PEACE.
AS I SAID AT THE OUTSET, OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM IS IN GRAVE TROUBLE.
LET ME TELL YOU WHY.
ON FOUR CORNERSTONES, OUR POLITICAL STRUCTURE IS BUILT --- ALL ARE
BEING SHAKEN; SOME ARE CRUMBLING. THOSE CORNERSTONES ARE:
1. THE SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES IN OUR
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT;
2. THE DIVISION OF POWERS BETWEEN THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AND THE STATES, WITH CERTAIN POWERS
AND RIGHTS RESERVED TO THE STATES;
3. THE RULE OF LAW; AND
4. THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM.
Page 2
Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
EACH OF THESE CORNERSTONES HAS CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO
AMERICA'S FREEDOM AND PROGRESS. ALL BUT ONE ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY
ORDAINED. THE WIDE SWING WE HAVE WITNESSED IN AMERICA'S POLITICAL
PENDULUM MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO DESTROY ANY OF THEM.
THE FIRST CORNERSTONE OF OUR POLITICAL HOUSE WAS LAID IN
CONSTITUTION HALL ALMOST 200 YEARS AGO BY THE WISE FRAMERS OF OUR
NATION'S BASIC LAW. IT WAS THEIR THEORY THAT THE POWER TO GOVERN
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SHOULD BE ASSIGNED TO THREE BRANCHES OF
GOVERNMENT -- SEPARATE AND EQUAL THIS WAS TO PREVENT ANY ONE BRANCH
OF GOVERNMENT -- THE EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, OR JUDICIAL -- FROM
BECOMING TOO POWERFUL.
EACH BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT WAS GIVEN SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILI-
TIES; EACH WAS GIVEN A MEASURE OF STRENGTH AND AUTHORITY. THE
WORDS CLOTHING EACH BRANCH /WITH ITS PORTION OF POWER WERE CAREFULLY
CHOSEN TO PREVENT CONCENTRATION OF POWER IN THE HANDS OF ONE PERSON,
ONE GROUP, OR ONE SEGMENT OF OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.
IN MY JUDGMENT, THE NATION TODAY HAS DEPARTED FROM THE
RESOLUTION AND INTENT WOVEN INTO THE MAGNIFICENT DOCUMENT THAT IS
OUR CONSTITUTION. TRAGICALLY, WE FIND A TERRIFYING BUILDUP OF
POWER IN THE EXECUTIVE, A JUDICIARY WHICH HAS ARBITRARILY ELBOWED
ITS WAY INTO AREAS OUTSIDE ITS JURISDICTION, AND A LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH WHICH HAS EARNED THE LABEL "RUBBER STAMP" AMID FADING OF
ITS STRENGTH AND PRESTIGE.
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G erald R. Ford
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WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE DIVISION OF POWERS BETWEEN THE
WHEN
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATES? WHEY THEY LAID THIS CORNERSTONE
OF OUR SYSTEM, THE WRITERS OF THE CONSTITUTION SOUGHT TO PRESERVE
THE TRADITIONAL ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT WHILE ASSIGNING TO THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE NATIONAL WELFARE.
WHAT DO WE FIND TODAY? WE FIND THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF
CITIES ISSUING A GUIDE TO FEDERAL AID FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. WHY?
BECAUSE IT'S A MUST FOR CITY OFFICIALS TRYING TO GROPE THEIR WAY
THROUGH THE FEDERAL JUNGLE IN SEARCH OF MANNA -- FEDERAL AID FOR
URBAN PROGRAMS. I DON'T BLAME THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES IN THE
LEAST. THEY'RE ACTING IN SELF-DEFENSE, so TO SPEAK. BUT THE
DEPENDENCE OF OUR CITIES ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE GIANT TAX
COLLECTOR, IS A SHOCKING DEVELOPMENT IN THE POLITICAL LIFE OF THIS
NATION.
HOW BIG IS THE LEAGUE'S BOOK? IT'S 200 PAGES -- 200 PAGES
COVERING MORE THAN 100 FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO COMMUNI'- =
TIES OF ALL SIZES. THE GRANT-IN-AID PROGRAMS RANGE FROM URBAN
RENEWAL AND AIR POLLUTION CONTROL TO EDUCATION AND OUTDOOR
RECREATION ASSISTANCE.
I THINK IT'S SIGNIFICANT THAT IT WAS IN 1961, AFTER THE
EISENHOWER ADMINISTRATION LEFT OFFICE, THAT THE LEAGUE OF CITIES
FIRST PUBLISHED ITS HANDBOOK. THEN so MANY CHANGES OCCURRED IN THE
NEXT TWO YEARS THAT THE LEAGUE REVISED ITS HANDBOOK IN 1963.
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Gerald R. Ford
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SINCE THEN, WITH THE JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION IN POWER, THE HANDBOOK
HAS UNDERGONE A COMPLETE REVISION AND CHANGE IN CONCEPT. IT NOW
COMES WITH LOOSE-LEAF PAGES SO THAT PROGRAM REVISIONS AND ADDITIONS
CAN EASILY BE INSERTED INTO THE BOOK AS GREAT SOCIETY PROGRAMS
EXPAND AND PROLIFERATE. I THINK WE NEED A GREAT SOCIETY
NON-PROLIFERATION AGREEMENT ALMOST AS BADLY AS WE DO A NUCLEAR
NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY.
OURS IS A COMPLEX SOCIETY. WE DO NEED A NATIONAL GOVERN-
MENT OF STRONG AND RESOLUTE PURPOSE. BUT WE NEED A NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT THAT IS THE SERVANT AND NOT THE MASTER OF THE PEOPLE.
WE NEED STRONG GOVERNMENT WITHOUT THE SMOTHERING EFFECTS OF
CONCENTRATED POWER. WE NEED TO PRESERVE FREEDOM IN OUR DECISION-
MAKING, AND TO DO THAT WE MUST KEEP THAT DECISION-MAKING AS CLOSE
TO THE CITIZENRY AS POSSIBLE. WE MUST STRENGTHEN OUR STATE AND
LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT.
THE MEN WHO DRAFTED OUR FEDERAL CONSTITUTION SET FORTH
THEIR AIMS IN AN ELOQUENT PREAMBLE TO THAT DOCUMENT. LISTED HIGH
AMONG THOSE OBJECTIVES WAS THIS ONE: "TO INSURE DOMESTIC
TRANQUILLITY." DO WE HAVE DOMESTIC TRANQUILLITY IN THIS NATION
TODAY? NO. WE SEE MOBS TEARING AT THE SOCIAL FABRIC OF THE NATION.
WE SEE A KIND OF MADNESS SWEEPING THE LAND
ARSON, SNIPING,
LOOTING
SCARRING PARTS OF OUR GREAT CITIES, LIKE THE HOUGH
SECTION OF CLEVELAND.
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Gerald R. Ford
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THE RULE OF LAW IS ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES ON WHICH THIS
NATION STANDS IN THE CIVILIZED WORLD. WITHOUT IT WE ARE REDUCED
TO SAVAGERY. AND THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE WITNESSED IN RECENT MONTHS.
ONE OF THE GREAT FALLACIES OF OUR TIME IS THAT RIOTING IN
THE STREETS IS DIRECTLY DUE TO UNEMPLOYMENT. I SAY THIS IS A
FALLACY BECAUSE A STUDY OF THE LOS ANGELES WATTS AREA RIOT HAS
HOWN THAT THE TYPICAL MALE INVOLVED THERE WAS NOT A JOBLESS DRIFTER.
HE WAS EMPLOYED.
RIOTS? WHAT ARE THEY? THEY ARE AN EXPLOSION OF EMOTIONS,
AN UNREASONING OUTBURST WHICH CAN RESULT FROM AN ACCUMULATION OF
FRUSTRATIONS AND BITTERNESS. THE FRUSTRATIONS AND BITTERNESS MAY
HAVE A BASIS IN TRUTH OR ARISE FROM MISTAKEN FEELINGS OF INJUSTICE
DONE. BUT THEY ARE FED BY PROMISES THAT CANNOT BE QUICKLY KEPT AND
BY THE AROUSING OF GREAT EXPECTATIONS. WHEN THESE ARE DRESSED UP
WITH A POVERTY WAR LABEL AND PERFORMANCE FALLS FAR SHORT OF PROMISE
CYNICISM, ANGER AND AN I'LL-TAKE-IT-FOR-MYSELF ATTITUDE CAN BE THE
PRODUCT.
WHY RIOTS? THE ANSWER IS TIED CLOSELY TO A GOVERNMENT
WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE ALL AMERICANS WITH MORE MATERIAL THINGS
WHILE IGNORING THE IDEALS WHICH MADE AMERICANS A FREE PEOPLE. OUR
TODAY
GOVERNMENT BUAY IS CONCERNED WITH THINGS, NOT WITH PEOPLE AND
NATIONAL CAUSES. THIS IS THE SICKNESS WHICH AFFLICTS MODERN
AMERICA.
LIBRARY
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Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
WE HAVE STRAYED FROM THE RULE OF LAW. OUR GOVERNMENTAL
LEADERS, BY DEALING IN HALF-TRUTHS AND MISINFORMATION, LEAD US TO
BELIEVE THAT HONOR AND JUSTICE ARE JUST WORDS. THE MESSAGE IS THAT
THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS.
THEY ENCOURAGE THE IDEA THAT IF AN INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERS A
SOCIAL OBJECTIVE DESIRABLE, THEN HE IS JUSTIFIED IN EMPLOYING ANY
MEANS TO ATTAIN IT -- EVEN IF THIS INVOLVES BREAKING THE LAW AND
TRAMPLING UPON THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF OTHERS.
I MAINTAIN THAT THE RIOTS WE HAVE SEEN THIS YEAR HAVE
LITTLE GENUINE RELATIONSHIP TO THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. THEY
ARE TRAGIC BECAUSE THEY HAVE RESULTED IN A REGRETTABLE SETBACK FOR
THE LEGITIMATE RIGHTS OF 22 MILLION AMERICANS -- A SETBACK RESULTING
FROM THE MISGUIDED ZEAL OF A FEW MISTAKEN LEADERS.
OUR INTERNAL SECURITY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED THROUGH A LONG
HISTORY OF JUSTICE UNDER LAW. IF OUR JURY SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING
PROPERLY, LET'S DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG AND MAKE IT RIGHT. IF OUR
CITIES HAVE BECOME ASPHALT JUNGLES, LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO REMEDY
THEIR ILLS.
WE MUST RESTORE RESPECT FOR LAW AND ORDER IN OUR LAND.
OF COURSE, THIS IS NOT EASY WHEN THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES THCUGHTLESSLY MAKES THE REMARK THAT HE HAS "ENOUGH SPARK
LEFT IN [HIM] TO LEAD A MIGHT GOOD REVOLT UNDER [CERTAIN]
CONDITIONS."
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Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
WE NEED A REBIRTH OF REVERENCE FOR THE RULE OF LAW
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM IN THIS COUNTRY. WE NEED LEADERS WHO SPEAK
OUT CONSISTENTLY FOR LAW AND ORDER, NOT MEN WHO DEPLORE RIOTS ONE
MINUTE AND ENCOURAGE THEM THE NEXT.
LET'S HAVE PROGRESS IN THIS COUNTRY -- BUT LET'S HAVE IT
UNDER LAW. LET NOT AMERICANS WHO FEEL DOWNTRODDEN BELIEVE THAT THE
WAY TO OBTAIN REDRESS IS TO RIOT IN THE STREETS. WE DON'T NEED
MOLOTOV COCKTAIL THROWING. WE DON'T NEED TOP ADMINISTRATION
LEADERS WHO ARE WILLING TO "LEAD A MIGHTY GOOD REVOLT." WE NEED
LEADERS WHO WILL DISCOURAGE, RATHER THAN ENCOURAGE CRIMINAL ACTIONS.
DURING THIS LAST SESSION OF CONGRESS I STRONGLY SUPPORTED
LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD MAKE IT A FEDERAL CRIME FOR ANYONE TO TRAVEL
IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE OR USE THE FACILITIES OF INTERSTATE COMMERCE
WITH THE INTENT OF INCITING A RIOT OR OTHER FORMS OF VIOLENCE. WE
NEED THAT KIND OF FEDERAL LAW TO DEAL WITH IRRESPONSIBLE LEADERS
AND PROFESSIONAL AGITATORS. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS LEGISLATION DID
NOT HAVE THE BACKING OF THE JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION.
I HAVE DELIBERATELY REFRAINED FROM SPEAKING OF THIS
NATION'S MONUMENTAL CRISIS IN CRIME IN THE SAME BREATH WITH STREET
RIOTS. I DO NOT PLACE THE STREET RIOTER IN THE SAME CATEGORY WITH
THE PROFESSIONAL CRIMINAL. WE WILL PERHAPS ALWAYS HAVE PROFESSIONAL
NOT
CRIMINALS. BUT WE NEED HAVE RIOTS.
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Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
THE JOHNSON ADMINIISTRATION HAS DONE LITTLE TO SPUR A
CRUSADE AGAINST CRIME IN THIS COUNTRY. AND YET THE FBI TELLS US
THE CRIME RATE HAS CLIMBED BY 48 PER CENT SINCE 1960, SIX TIMES
FASTER THAN THE INCREASE IN POPULATION.
IN MANY OF OUR CITIES, AMERICANS ARE AFRAID TO WALK THE
STREETS AT NIGHT. WOMEN AND CHILDREN STAY INDOORS FOR FEAR OF
ATTACK.
SOME CONTEND THAT CRIME SPRINGS MAINLY FROM CONDITIONS OF
POVERTY. IF THIS WERE TRUE, THE U.S. CRIME RATE SHOULD BE FALLING
IN MR. JOHNSON'S GREAT SOCIETY. AFTER ALL, THE ADMINISTRATION :
BRAGS ABOUT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF LESS THAN 4 PER CENT -- NEVER
MENTIONING, OF COURSE, THAT THE VIETNAM WAR IS A BIG FACTOR IN THE
SITUATION.
WE HAVE TRAVELED FARTHER AND FARTHER DOWN THE ROAD TOWARD
BECOMING A COMPLETE WELFARE STATE -- AND YET THE CRIME RATE CON-
TINUES ITS FRIGHTENINGLY SWIFT RISE. I SAY THE ECONOMIC SECURITY
FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE IS NOT THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM OF
CRIME.
CRIME BREEDS AND SPREADS IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF LAWLESSNESS.
IT FEEDS ON COMMUNITY APATHY AND THE UNWILLINGNESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL
CITIZEN TO BECOME INVOLVED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TO SUPPORT IT
ADEQUATELY WITH HIS LOCAL TAX DOLLARS. LOCALLY, A COMMUNITY GETS
JUST ABOUT THE KIND OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IT DESERVES. NATIONALLY,
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Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
WE LOOK TO OUR LEADERS TO PROVIDE US WITH EXAMPLE, NOT WITH
EXHORTATION AND RHETORIC. WHILE THE FRONT LINE IN ANY WAR AGAINST
CRIME MUST BE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE
NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION SET A TONE THAT COMMANDS RESPECT FOR LAW
AND ORDER. THAT TONE IS LACKING IN THIS NATION TODAY. WE HEAR
THE RIGHT WORDS, BUT THE WORDS ARE MEANINGLESS BECAUSE THEY LACK
SUBSTANCE.
WE HAVE TODAY A PRESIDENT WHO IS FILLED TO OVERFLOWING
WITH GOOD INTENTIONS. THE PRESIDENT'S APPETITE FOR DOING THINGS
FOR US IS INSATIABLE. THE TROUBLE IS HE NOT ONLY DOES THINGS FOR
US, HE ALSO DOES THINGS TO US.
TODAY WE HAVE COME AS CLOSE TO ONE-MAN GOVERNMENT IN THIS
COUNTRY AS AT ANY TIME IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY. WHEN A MAN WITH
LYNDON JOHNSON'S HUNGER FOR POWER IS GIVEN A CONGRESS WHICH SERVES
AS A RUBBER STAMP FOR HIS REQUESTS, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN THIS
COUNTRY BECOMES A MOCKERY.
IN HIS 1966 STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE, MR. JOHNSON SAID:
"I BELIEVE WE CAN CONTINUE THE GREAT SOCIETY WHILE WE FIGHT IN
VIETNAM." WITH THAT HE PROCEEDED TO DUMP ANOTHER BASKETFUL OF
LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS'S LAP AND MAKE KNOWN HIS PLANS TO EXPAND
SPENDING ON GREAT SOCIETY PROGRAMS BY $3.2 BILLION.
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Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
AT THE CLOSE OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE 89TH CONGRESS,
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MIKE MANSFIELD VOWED THAT IN ITS SECOND
SESSION THE 89TH CONGRESS WOULD "SPEND LESS TIME ON NEW LEGISLATION
AND MORE TIME CORRECTING OVERSIGHTS IN LEGISLATION WE HAVE JUST
PASSED." HE ADDED: "WE HAVE PASSED A LOT OF MAJOR BILLS AT THIS
SESSION, SOME OF THEM VERY HASTILY, AND THEY STAND IN EXTREME NEED
OF A GOING-OVER FOR LOOPHOLES, ROUGH CORNERS, AND PARTICULARLY FOR
AN ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND ULTIMATE COST IN THE FRAMEWORK OF OUR
CAPACITY TO MEET IT."
WELL, LYNDON JOHNSON CHANGED ALL THAT. HE SIMPLY
ANNOUNCED THAT WE COULD AFFORD BOTH THE VIETNAM WAR AND AN EXPANDED
GREAT SOCIETY. AND HE INSISTED WE COULD HAVE PROSPERITY WITHOUT
INFLATION. HE WAS WRONG ON BOTH COUNTS. BUT HE HAD A RUBBERSTAMP
CONGRESS THAT WOULDN'T STAND UP TO HIM.
THERE HAS BEEN NO ROUNDING OFF OF ROUGH CORNERS, NO
PLUGGING OF LOOPHOLES, NO ASSESSMENT OF GREAT SOCIETY COSTS. THAT
IS ONE--MAN GOVERNMENT.
I BELIEVE THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY HAS BECOME so
INTOXICATING FOR LYNDON JOHNSON THAT HE BELIEVES HE CAN ACCOMPLISH
ANYTHING HE SETS HIS MIND TO. THE RESULT OF THIS PRESIDENTIAL
ARROGANCE, THIS MISTAKEN EXERCISE OF EXCESSIVE POWER, IS A CRISIS
IN OUR ECONOMY -- UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE FUTURE, A FALTERING WHICH
THREATENS US ALL.
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Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
TODAY AMERICA HAS A PRESIDENT WHO DELIGHTS IN THE USE OF
EVERY OUNCE OF HIS POWER, AND FROM CAPITOL HILL THAT POWER LOOKS
TREMENDOUS. TODAY AMERICA HAS MORE AND MORE NEED FOR A LIMITATION
ON THAT POWER. THAT LIMITATION NOW IS PRESENT IN MEAGER FORM.
THE DEMOCRATS CONTROL BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS BY BETTER THAN 2 TO
1 MAJORITIES.
THE MINORITY IS TRADITIONALLY CALLED "THE LOYAL OPPOSITION"
WE ARE LOYAL AMERICANS. BUT WE ARE SO PITIFULLY SMALL IN NUMBERS
THAT WE CAN'T REALLY PUT UP EFFECTIVE OPPOSITION. WHAT WE LACKED
IN NUMBERS IN THE 89TH CONGRESS WE TRIED TO MAKE UP FOR IN THE
VIGOR WITH WHICH WE PRESENTED OUR CASE.
BUT THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR STRENGTH IN NUMBERS. THERE
IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR PROPER BALANCE IN GOVENMENT. REPUBLICANS
ARE DEDICATED TO RESTORING THAT BALANCE SO THAT THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM
AGAIN WILL FUNCTION IN THIS COUNTRY AS A CORNERSTONE OF OUR GOVERN-
MENT. THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM AS A CORNERSTONE OF OUR POLITICAL
SYSTEM WAS NOT PROVIDED FOR IN THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. BUT IT IS
VITAL TO THE PROPER FUNCTIONING OF OUR GOVERNMENT, ALONG WITH THE
SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES, THE DIVISION OF POWERS BETWEEN THE
STATES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THE RULE OF LAW.
WHEN ONE OF OUR MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES ACHIEVES LOPSIDED
MAJORITIES IN THE CONGRESS, OUR ENTIRE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT REACHES
PERIL POINT. AND THAT IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO US AS A RESULT OF
THE 1964 CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS.
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Gerald R. R
Gerald R. Ford
10-18-66
THERE IS NO WAY TO PUT LEGISLATION THROUGH THE CRUCIBLE
OF STRONG DEBATE AND A MEANINGFUL AMENDING PROCESS WHEN ONE PARTY
IS WOEFULLY WEAK IN CONGRESS. THIS IS THE SITUATION WE NOW FACE.
THIS IS THE SITUATION THAT MUST BE REMEDIED FOR THE GOOD OF THE
NATION.
CONGRESS NOW IS A PAWN IN THE HANDS OF THE WHITE HOUSE.
MORE THAN 50 PER CENT OF THE MEMBERS ARE PUPPETS WHO DANCE WHEN THE
PRESIDENT PULLS THE STRINGS.
IF WE ARE TO RESTORE BALANCE IN GOVERNMENT, IF WE ARE TO
ADEQUATELY PROTECT ALL SEGMENTS OF OUR SOCIETY, WE MUST MAKE CONGRESS
INDEPENDENT ONCE MORE AND AGAIN CAPABLE OF WORKING ITS WILL.
I TRUST THAT THIS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL DO IN THIS
CRUCIAL TESTING TIME OF 1966. THANK YOU.
-end-
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