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Grand Rapids Bar Association, October 26, 1966
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Grand Rapids Bar Association, October 26, 1966
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The original documents are located in Box D21, folder "Grand Rapids Bar Association,
October 26, 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 D21 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
REMARKS
GERALD R. FORD
GRAND RAPIDS BAR ASSOCIATION OCTOBER 26, 1966
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Catchick, I am grateful for the opportunity to debate
the issues of this important political campaign.
As you know, I am a Republican, Mr. Catchick is a Democrat. I trust,
therefore, that he accepts the liberal Johnson-Humphrey philosophy. I disagree
with much of this philosophy and feel strongly that there is a better
approach to solving our national and international problems.
The question to be answered by each voter on November 8th is which
candidate for Congress will best represent his views in the national legislature.
We have every right to assume that my opponent supports the present
Administration and agrees with what has happened to America in the past 24
months. Let's look at that record.
Today under Mr. Johnson's Administration we have the highest cost of
living in the history of the United States. The highest interest rates in
45 years. The tightest money market in many years.
We have a monumental crisis in crime instead of domestic safety and
security.
Internationally we are involved in a serious conflict in Southeast
Asia and there is no evidence that our government has been able to obtain
much support from our friends and allies.
Under this Administration we have had reckless federal spending on
non-essential and deferrable domestic programs. I would prefer a prudent
and frugal use of taxpayer dollars.
There were two federal tax increases in 1966 and there is every reason
to belie ve that the President will demand another tax increase soon after the
election. My opponent's party has run the nation's business since 1961. The
high prices, high interest rates, and high taxes are the responsibility of
the President and his lop-sided Democratic majorities in the Congress.
Inflation is not caused by the working man who seeks more pay, nor by
the businessman who charges higher prices, nor by the farmer who seeks a fair
return for his efforts, nor by the housewife who does the purchasing for the
family. High prices, or if you will - the deflation of the dollar, are caused
primarily by excessive spending of the federal government, by consistent
deficit financing, by throwing away the taxpayer's money.
-MORE-
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
-2-
Republicans in the House, outnumbered 2-t0-1, sought to reduce federal
spending on 5 non-military appropriation bills. We could have saved 5.6 billion
dollars, dampening the fires of inflation and avoiding more tax increases.
But 80% of the Democratic members, including all those from Michigan, voted
for more spending. Better than 90% of the Republicans, including all those
from Michigan, voted for the taxpayers and for the consumer.
As Republicans we submitted constructive alternatives to the war on
poverty; but numbers overwhelmed us. We would use and improve the
facilities of existing agencies, many of them state and local, to get at
the roots of poverty. We suggested the Human Investment Act which would
encourage business and labor to employ and train people with limited skills
and education. They would be encouraged by a 7% tax credit.
We recommended a system of tax credits and a return of federal funds
to the states for their use in promoting an educational system under
state control.
In the area of foreign policy I want to comment only Mr. Johnson's
insistence that the United States increase its trade with and assist
Communist-dominated nations. In the Food for Peace program we made every
effort to halt subsidized bargain sales of our farm products to nations
which trade with North Vietnam and Cuba. We were right, but the Administration
expressed a deep concern for any such restriction and the legisAtion was
finally modified. President Johnson has approved the use of tax funds to
guarantee credit to additional Communist nations -- Poland, Bulgaria,
Hungary, Czechoslovakia. The House of Representatives objected to this use
of the taxpayer's funds. But in the final analysis the Democratic-dominated
Congress gave the President practically what he wanted.
We need an independent-minded Congress which will represent the people
rather than the President. I know the voters of the Fifth District want that
kind of representation.
The issue in this election in the 5th District is simply this: Do you
want someone who will challenge the policies of the Johnson Administration at
home and abroad, someone who can effectively represent you and your District,
or do you want a congressman who is committed to follow blindly the demands
of the White House.
########
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
REMARKS
Lie GERALD R. FORD
GRAND RAPIDS BAR ASSOCIATION OCTOBER 26, 1966
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Catchick, I am grateful for the opportunity Office Capy to debate
the issues of this important political campaign.
As you know, I am a Republican, Mr. Catchick is a Democrat. I trust,
therefore, that he accepts the liberal Johnson-Humphrey philosophy. I disagree
with much of this philosophy and feel strongly that there is a better
approach to solving our national and international problems.
The question to be answered by each voter on November 8th is which
candidate for Congress will best represent his views in the national legislature.
We have every right to assume that my opponent supports the present
Administration and agrees with what has happened to America in the past 24
months. Let's look at that record.
Today under Mr. Johnson's Administration we have the highest cost of
living in the history of the United States. The highest interest rates in
45 years. The tightest money market in many years.
We have a mommental crisis in crime instead of domestic safety and
security.
Internatimally we are involved in a serious conflict in Southeast
Asia and there is no evidence that our government has been able to obtain
much support from our friends and allies.
Under this Administration we have had reckless federal spending on
non-essential and deferrable domestic programs. I would prefer a prudent
and frugal use of taxpayer dollars.
There were to federal tax increases in 1966 and there is every reason
to belie ve that the President will demand another tax increase soon after the
election. My opponent's party has run the nation's business since 1961. The
high prices, high interest rates, and high taxes are the responsibility of
the President and his lop-sided Democratic majorities in the Congress.
Inflation is not caused by the working man who seeks more pay, nor by
the businessman who charges higher prices, nor by the farmer who seeks a fair
return for his efforts, nor by the housewife who does the purchasing for the
family. High prices, or if you will - the deflation of the dollar, are caused
primarily by excessive spending of the federal government, by consistent
deficit financing, by throwing away the taxpayer's money.
«MORE=
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
Republicans in the House, outnumbered 2-th-1, sought to reduce federal
spending on 5 non-military appropriation bills. We could have saved 5.6 billion
dollars, dampening the fires of inflation and avoiding more tax increases.
But 80% of the Democratic members, including all those from Michigan, voted
for more spending. Better than 90% of the Republicans, including all those
from Michigan, voted for the taxpayers and for the consumer.
As Republicans we submitted constructive alternatives to the war on
poverty; but numbers overwhelmed us. We would use and improve the
facilities of existing agencies, many of them state and local, to get at
the roots of poverty. We suggested the Human Investment Act whileh would
encourage business and labor to employ and train people with limited skills
and education. They would be encouraged by a 7% tax credit.
We recommended a system of tax credits and a return of federal funds
to the states for their use in promoting an educational system under
state control.
In the area of foreign policy I want to comment only Mr. Johnson's
insistence that the United States increase its trade with and assist
Communist-dominated nations. In the Food for Peace program we made every
effort to halt subsidized bargain sales of our farm products to nations
which trade with North Vietnam and Cuba. We were right, but the Administration
expressed a deep concern for any such restriction and the legishtion was
finally modified. President Johnson has approved the use of tax funds to
guarantee credit to additional Communist nations -- Peland, Bulgaris,
Hungary, Czechoslovakia. The House of Representatives objected to this use
of the taxpayer's funds. But in the final enalysis the Democratic-dominated
Congress gave the President practically what be wanted.
We need an independent-minded Congress which will represent the people
rather than the President. I know the voters of the Fifth District want that
kind of representation.
The issue in this election in the 5th District is simply this: Do you
want someone who will challenge the policies of the Johnson Administration at
home and abroad, someone who can effectively represent you and your District,
or do you want a congressman who is committed to follow blindly the demands
of the White House.
########
GERALD FORD VIBRARY