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12/12/75 - To Stu Spencer - Reaction to Baroody's State of the Union Proposal
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12/12/75 - To Stu Spencer - Reaction to Baroody's State of the Union Proposal
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1976 Presidential Campaign Memoranda
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The original documents are located in Box 63, folder "12/12/75 - To Stu Spencer - Reaction
to Baroody's State of the Union Proposal" of the Robert Teeter Papers 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. Gerald Ford 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States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 63 of the Robert Teeter Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
December 12, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
STU SPENCER
FROM:
BOB TEETER
Rmt
SUBJECT:
Baroody State of the Union Proposal
Attached is a copy of Baroody's proposed SOTU with some of my
comments. Below are some of my reactions to it.
1. I agree strongly with the need for an all-inclusive theme.
2. There needs to be equal emphasis on improving the quality
of life and solving problems along with the need to reduce
and cut back. The positives are ultimately more important
than the negatives in gaining support.
3. The idea of a re-birth of freedom is good but if used,
the term freedom needs to be defined by the President so
it is clear that he means the freedom of individuals, not
the freedom of large institutions to exploit individuals.
4. I don't like the term "5th branch of government." The
last thing we need is another branch of government or any
more large national institutions.
5. It is not going to be possible to re-build "the new majority"
from 1972 with a Republican President in a recession. Too
many of the new majority were Democrats who came over on
the social issues and who are now far more concerned with
the economic issues, are a long way from the President's
position of them.
6. There is a terrific paragraph on Page 3 dealing with the
cause for the current cynicism toward government.
7. We need to keep in mind that while people want less
government, they also have a number of problems they
want solved and this means change. The President has
got to be perceived as for change and representing the
solutions to many problems as well as against large
government and spending.
FORD
LIBRARY
% need to de jowe P Fineri's
Concept of as it relates
November 28. 1975
to individuala Freelom has
MEMORANDUM FOR:
DISCUSSION
become a clich to may.
FROM:
BILL BAROODY
SUBJECT:
Political Strategy/State of the Union Message
The ingredients of the strategy needed for 1976 include the following:
1. understandable and all-inclusive theme (to be highlighted in agre!
State of the Union message);
2. emphasis on reducing growth in Federal spending and reducing
tax burden on American citizens coupled with a new public policy formula
agree
that promises to improve quality of life and increase the nation's ability
to solve all major public problems;
3. continuation of our program to return power to the states and
localities through such programs as revenue sharing coupled with an
implied criticism of those (most candidates) who seek primarily to
eform government at all levels. The missing ingredient in today' public
policy positions is that we are only dealing with one half of the problem
the government half. There is a whole panoply of institutions in the
private sector that are eager and willing to be involved in public policy
formation, and more importantly, implementation. I describe them as
the Fifth Branch of government. They include representatives of ethnic
and voluntary associations, neighborhoods, churches and families --
in short, the value-generating institutions which provide meaning and
rules for living in people's lives. Whatever we call them, we have had
representatives from every one of these institutions in for many meetings
in the last year and a clear foundation has been laid to maximize the fact
of incumbency through implementation of a public policy formula that turns
these institutions on.
I believe these groups would respond to a Presidential strategy of
restructuring public policy to build around and strengthen these private
sector institutions. I outline possible specific examples in the attached
SOTU draft for discussion.
FORD is LIBRARY QERALB
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come
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November 28, 1975
cetes.
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The terms "rebirth of freedom" or "new birth of freedom" or "rebuilding
the free society" are variations of the basic unifier I believe the President
can capitalize on in this Bicentennial year to get across his basic message.
It would be:
to9
country
1. consistent with his rhetoric to date;
is
or
throyh
your
2. consistent with his basic policies, including
corp.
a. foreign policy,
come
big
b. revenue sharing, block grants and decentralization,
3
c. regulatory reform,
free.
d. getting back to basics in energy and economy.
The "rebirth of freedom" or "rebuilding the free society" themes, in
is
conjunction with a "fifth branch" or private institution-community renewal
elg
via
approach has great political potential. It could help to do the following:
1. restore the coalition of 1972, i.e. the new majority elements
which have largely come unglued;
can Rep a beceision
o
2. appeal to groups left out of the "action" by the Federal govern-
ment that are generally GOP or conservative oriented.
good
3. appeal to both conservatives and left-wing libertarians;
good
4. provide a positive vision and not just a negative (the President
in responding to Lawrence Spivak's question on Meet the Press about his
lyes
lack of vision, stated that he wanted to see a society where government
was not the master of the citizen. Although a worthy goal, negatives do
not generally inspire great political support).
upant
5. would restate fundamentally conservative arguments in a
unique new way.
FORD is LIBRARY DERAL
The only way I know to provide a concrete feel for the ideas I have
described is through an illustrative State of the Union draft (attached).
in reading it, you should remember that some of the specific programs
and ideas discussed in the draft may not be consistent with Presidential
thinking, since I have not been privy to the issues discussion in prepara-
tion for the State of the Union Message. Regardless of that, I am
absolutely convinced that most if not all of the positions the President
will ultimately take will be consistent with the general theme of rebuilding
a free society through community renewal and fifth branch involvement.
1042 is LIBRARY OFRALD
ILLUSTRATIVE STATE OF THE UNION DRAIT
MY FELLOW AMERICANS:
A REBIRTH OF FREEDOM AS AMERICA CELEBRATES ITS TWO
HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND PREPARES TO EMBARK ON ITS
THIRD CENTURY OF HOPE AND PROGRESS FOR THE HUMAN
CONDITION IS THE STANDARD TO WHICH ALL AMERICANS CAN
REPAIR.
A REBIRTH OF FREEDOM FOR THE INDIVIDUAL AMERICAN AT
HOME, AT WORK AND IN HIS OR HER COMMUNITY.
the
REBIRTH OF FREEDOM THROUGH COMMUNITY RENEWAL FOR THOSE
FIFTH BRANCH INSTITUTIONS OF FAMILY, CHURCH, NEIGHBORHOOD,
VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION AND ETHNIC COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE
ACTIVELY IN THE FORMULATION AND EXECUTION OF PUBLIC POLICY
AT LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS.
A REBIRTH OF FREEDOM FOR STATE AND LOCAL UNITS OF
GOVERNMENT THROUGH GENERAL AND SPECIFIC REVENUE
SHARING TO DEAL EFFECTIVELY AND CAPABLY WITH PROBLEMS
THAT PROPERLY FALL WITHIN THEIR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
UNDER OUR FEDERAL SYSTEM.
FORD is APPRARY
PEBIRTH OF FREEDOM FOR THE MORTHA. THE
ND THIS CONSUMER THROUGH UNSHAGKLING THE BONDS ()i
OPPRESSIVE GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND ARTIFICIAL
GOVERNMENT INTRUSION INTO FREE UNTERPRISE IN AMERICA.
A REBIRTH OF FREEDOM AS AMERICA REAFFIRMS ITS
BELIEF IN THE BASIC VALUES THAT HAVE MADE THIS
NATION A BEACON OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION FOR ALL
MANKIND.
IN SHORT, MY FELLOW AMERICANS, ALL OF OUR HOPES
FOR REBUILDING A FREE SOCIETY AND FOR REDRESSING ALL
OF THE IMBALANCES THAT HAVE CREPT INTO THE BODY
POLITIC OF AMERICA IN ITS FIRST TWO HUNDRED YEARS CAN
BE REALIZED THROUGH DEDICATING OURSELVES ONCE
AGAIN TO A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM.
(Specific discussions and programs for all of the above are expected
to be contained in Domestic Council, OMB, EPB and ERC inputs with
the exception of item two, the Fifth Branch and community renewal
concepts. This would be the new ingredient that reshuffles the ideolo-
gical cards and providesanew Public Policy Formula that no other
candidate has yet addressed. What follows is an illustrative draft
of a section of the proposed State of the Union message that deals
with community renewal and the Fifth Branch.)
BERRLO B. FORD LIDRARY
COMMUNITY RENEWAL i. FOTH BRANCH SHOPION
YEAR AGO, CANDOR COMPELLED VITO REPORT THAT CUS
STATE OF THE UNION WAS NOT GOOD. THERE HAS BEEN
SOME FORWARD MOVEMENT IN THE INTERVENING TWELVE
MONTHS, BUT ANY CANDID ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF
THE UNION MUST STILL TODAY MIX OPTIMISM WITH CONCERN.
THE CAUSE FOR GREATEST CONCERN IS THE PERSISTENT
CYNICISM AMONG THE AMERICAN PUBLIC TOWARD THEIR
GOVERNMENT AND THEIR PUBLIC OFFICIALS. CONFIDENCE
IN GOVERNMENT, ESPECIALLY BIG GOVERNMENT, HAS BEEN
excellat
THE CHIEF CASUALTY OF TOO MANY PROMISES MADE AND
BROKEN. SO THE PEOPLE HAVE SUSPENDED THEIR FAITH
IN GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO DELIVER AND OUR RESPONSE
TO THAT HAS BEEN TOO OFTEN INAPPROPRIATE AND
UNIFORMLY INADEQUATE.
FROM NOW ON, WE SHOULD DE-EMPHASIZE THE BUREAU-
CRACIES WHO WORK FOR US AND RE-EMPHASIZE THE
COMMUNITIES WE WORK FOR.
AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE, OUR JOINT TASK
IN THIS BICENTENNIAL YEAR SHOULD BE TO DEVELOP
1080 i LIBRARY QENALD
DOMESTIC POLICIES THAT ENGANCE one PREE INSCIRUTIONS
BATWER THAN DETRACT FROM THEM. WELSHOP ID HAVE
POLICIES THAT ENCOURAGE. NOT SHIP- F-
MOTIVATION AND DEDICATION TO FREEDOM ON THE PART
OF ALL AMERICANS. IN THE PROCESS, WE WILL IMPROVE
THE POLITICAL CLIMATE IN WHICH WE MUST WORK, AND
ELEVATE THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND DEMOCRATIC POLITICS
WE MUST SERVE.
THE FOCUS OF DOMESTIC POLICIES THAT WILL ENCOURAGE
DEDICATION TO FREEDOM.BY INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS SHOULD
BE ON FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES CONFRONTING EACH AMERICAN
WHERE HE OR SHE LIVES AND WORKS -- ISSUES OF CHILD
good
for people
CARE, EDUCATION. HEALTH. HOUSING. LAW ENFORCEMENT
AND WELFARE. THIS IS A POLICY APPROACH THAT ENHANCES
ALL AREAS OF THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND IMPROVES
EACH AREA'S ROLE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS. IT IS TIME FOR
US TO TURN TOWARD A DOMESTIC PROGRAM OF COMMUNITY
RENEWAL AND TO TURN AWAY FROM BUREAUCRATIC RULE.
I PROPOSE SUCH A FROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY RENEWAL IN
THIS BICENTENNIAL STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE, A PROGRAM
NOT OF GRAND NATIONAL PLANS NOR OF EXTREME IDEOLOGICAL
DISILLUSIONMENT, BUT A PROGRAM OF VIGOROUS LOCAL
ACHIEVEMENT.
BERALD RAFORD VIBRARY
THE COMUNITIES T REFER IN THIS PROGRAM (*** COMPLETED
ARD THOSE securi, ECONOMIC MD POLINTOAL
ITONS THAT STAND THE INDIVIDUAL MD THE
STRUCTURES OF MODERN SOCIETY. FIVE SOCH COMMUNITY INSTING-
TIONS ARE CRITICAL TO EACH OF OUR LIVES: FAMILY, CHURCH,
I
ejecution
VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION, NEIGHBORHOOD, MID ETHNIC COMMUNITY.
how was, Pents
IF PROPERLY MOTIVATED AND UTILIZED, THESE INSTITUTIONS 07
AMERICAN SOCIETY CAN TRULY SERVE AS A FIFTH BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT
EACH INDIVIDUAL AMERICAN RELATES IN SOME IMPORTANT WAY TO SOME
OR ALL OF THESE INSTITUTIONS. AS DISTINCT FROM THEIR
INVOLVEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT, WHICH IS AT BEST OCCASIONAL AND
INCIDENTAL TO MANY AMERICANS, THE INDIVIDUAL'S INVOLVEMENT
WITH THESE INSTITUTIONS IS DIRECT AND MEANINGFUL, A PART
OF THEIR IDENTITY. AS I SHALL MAKE CLEAR LATER IN THIS
MESSAGE, MY NEW PROGRAMS OF COMMUNITY RENEWAL WHICH WOULD
BE SPONSORED OR IN OTHER WAYS ENCOURAGED, BUT NOT CONTROLLED
BY THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, WOULD SEEK TO MAXIMIZE THE
SILENT STRENGTH THAT THESE INSTITUTIONS AND THE CLOSE
RELATION OF PEOPLE TO THEM REPRESENTS.
IN RECENT YEARS, THESE INSTITUTIONS, THOUGH VITAL TO
INDIVIDUAL AMERICANS, HAVE AT BEST BEEN IGNORED AND
gon't is perciant as but
6ti build they printe ....
GERALD 4. LIDRARY FORD
but wit tie them to 800 it
THESE INSTITUTIONS REACH INTO THE ORDINARY CAMS
INDIVIDUALS AND IF THEY ARE STRONG AND VITAL, THESE
INSTITUTIONS FUNCTION AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE
INDIVIDUAL AND GOVERNMENT AND THE OTHER LARGE
INSTITUTIONS OF PUBLIC ORDER. IN A PLURALISTIC SOCIETY
SUCH AS OURS, A DEMOCRATIC STATE CAN DERIVE ITS
DYNAMISM AND ITS LEGITIMACY FROM THE CONSENT OF
THESE COMMUNITIES. OR IT CAN SIMPLY VIEW THEM AS A
TAX-BASE. THE CHOICE IS OURS -- AND IT MUST BE MADE
SOON.
IN MY VIEW, A HEALTHY AMERICA CAN ONLY
REMAIN so IF ITS COMMUNITIES ARE STRONG. A POLICY
OF COMMUNITY RENEWAL IS DESIGNED TO REVITALIZE, TO
RENEW AND ASSURE THEIR STRENGTH.
THIS CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY RENEWAL IS BY NO MEANS A
NEW ONE. FOR A LONG TIME, OBSERVERS OF MODERN LIFE
HAVE POINTED OUT THE DANGER IN A SITUATION WHERE
NOTHING STANDS BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL IN HIS PRIVATE
LIFE AND THE HUGE STRUCTURES OF PUBLIC ORDER. WHERE
A VACUUM EXISTS BETWEEN CITIZEN AND STATE, CONSUMER
AND CORPORATION, LABORER AND UNION, THERE DEVELOP
INDIVIDUAL FEELINGS OF POWERLESSNESS. FROM THE
#
is
FORD
GERALD
LIBRARY
AT WORST THREATENED BY THE DOMINATING AMERICAN
INSTITUTION OF BIG (10) PRNNENT. 50 LONG AS The PRE
DOMINANCE OF BIG-GOVERNMENT AS SOLE POLICY -MAKER
AND PROBLEM SOLVER PERSISTS, THEN THE GREATEST
IMBALANCE OF CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN LIVE WILL GO
UNCORRECTED. FOR IN THE MINDS OF MANY, IF NOT MOST
AMERICANS TODAY, GOVERNMENT AND ITS BUREAUCRACIES
ARE NOT SERVANTS BUT AGGRESSORS AND PEOPLE IN THEIR
good
COMMUNITIES ARE NOT ITS BENEFICIARIES BUT ITS VICTIMS
THAT IMBALANCE WILL NOT BE REDRESSED UNLESS WE
SHIFT OUR FOCUS FROM STRENGTHENING GOVERNMENT'S
Carl.
ABILITIES TO ONE OF RENEWING THE STRENGTH OF OTHER
INSTITUTIONS. GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO TAKE AND TAX,
TO REGULATE AND REQUIRE HAS ALREADY REACHED EXTRA-
VAGANT PROPORTIONS. LET THAT TREND CONTINUE UNCHECKED
AND IN A NARROW SENSE, OUR POWER MAY CONTINUE TO GROW.
BUT AS THE FOUNDING FATHERS NOTED, "GOVERNMENTS
DERIVE THEIR JUST POWERS FROM THE CONSENT OF THE
GOVERNED. " AS THIS GOVERNMENT HAS EXPANDED ITS
POWERS TO GIVE AND TAKE, IT HAS DIMINISHED ITS POWER
TO LEAD AND RESPOND -- AND TO BE TRUSTED. LET THAT
TREND CONTINUE AND AS GOVERNMENT GROWS BIGGER, IT
WILL GROW WEAKER.
FORD is LIBRARY 03RALD
17 To: CHOOSE NOT TO CHANGE FOCUS AND SCORESS
THE DISALANCE THAT NOW EXISTS. THEN THE COVMENMENT
WHICH NOW TAKES IN TAXES FROM THE AMERICAN PYOPLE ^
THIRD OF WHAT THEY EARN EVERY YEAR, WILL BY THE END
OF THIS GENTURY BE TAKING FULLY HALF. WHEN THAT
HAPPENS, GOVERNMENTS PRESENT ABILITY TO INFLUENCE
PRIVATE DECISIONS OF FREE PEOPLE WILL BECOME THE
ABILITY TO CONTROL THOSE DECISIONS. AND SHOULD THAT
HAPPEN, THEN THIS WILL BE AN ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT
KIND OF GOVERNMENT AND WE WILL NO LONGER BE A FREE
PEOPLE.
A DOMESTIC POLICY OF COMMUNITY RENEWAL IS DESIGNED
TO MOVE IN A VERY DIFFERENT DIRECTION, TOWARD THE
REBUILDING OF A FREE SOCIETY. IT RESTS ON THE ASSUMP-
TION THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE STILL RETAIN A STRONG
AND VITAL ALLEGIANCE TO OUR CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESSES
AND FREE INSTITUTIONS AND THAT THOUGH THEY MAY HAVE
LOST FAITH IN THE KIND OF GOVERNMENT THEY HAVE BEEN
GIVEN, THEY HAVEN'T LOST FAITH IN THEMSELVES NOR IN
THE REALITY OF THE AMERICAN IDEAL.
THAT IDEAL RESTS ON THE VALUES WHICH THE COMMUNITIES
OF FAMILY, CHURCH, VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION, NEIGHBORHOOD
AND ETHNIC COMMUNITY HAVE BOTH CREATED AND SUSTAINED.
FORD is DERALTO LIBRARY
LET US START FROM A BASIC ASSUMITION WHICH !
BELIEVE TO BE FUNDAMENTAL MOST AMERICA ; LIVE
LIVES OF QUIET HONOR. AND THE BUREAUCPATIVATION
OF AMERICA HAS OFFENDED THEIR HONOR AND STIPLED THEIR
PROGRESS.
THE DEBUREAUCRATIZATION OF AMERICA IS WHAT A POLICY
OF COMMUNITY RENEWAL IS ESSENTIALLY ALL ABOUT.
I WILL PROPOSE TO THE CONGRESS SPECIAL PROGRAMS
DESIGNED TO IMPLEMENT SUCH A POLICY BY ALLOWING THE
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY
THE INSTITUTIONS OF FAMILY, CHURCH, VOLUNTARY
ASSOCIATION, NEIGHBORHOOD AND ETHNIC GROUP. THE
OBJECTIVE OF THESE PROGRAMS WOULD BE NOT TO SUBOR-
DINATE THESE GROUPS TO NATIONAL POLICY BUT TO MAKE
THEM FULL PARTNERS IN ITS FORMULATION.
A POLICY OF COMMUNITY RENEWAL, IN ITS MOST BASIC TERMS,
IS AN EFFORT TO CREATE THAT PARTNERSHIP. AS ONCE I
PROPOSED A MARRIAGE NOT A HONEYMOON BETWEEN CONGRESS
AND THE EXECUTIVE, AND THAT THERE BE COMPROMISE, CONCI-
LIATION, COMMUNICATION AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, so DO I NOW PROPOSE THE
SAME BETWEEN THE BASIC INSTITUTIONS OF AMERICAN
SOCIETY, GOVERNMENTAL AND NONGOVERNMENTAL
BERALE FORD LIBRARY
STARDPOINT OF THE VALUES 00 PRIVIDENTE PROPER. THESE
ORGARIZATIONS SERM DISTANT. AND 04 THOSE OCCASIONS
WHEN THEY ARE NOT REMOTE. WHEN THEY DO \FFHCT ONLY
LIVES, THEY SEEM INTRUSIVE.
IT IS EASY TO BECOME FEARFUL AND EVEN ANGRY AT SUCH
BUREAUCRATIC INTRUSIONS. AND SUCH FEAR AND ANGER CAN
BE A TEMPTING TARGET FOR THOSE AT THE EXTREMES OF
OUR POLITICAL SPECTRUM. RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP MUST
AVOID SUCH TEMPTATIONS IF WE ARE TO SUCCEED IN THE
REBUILDING OF A FREE SOCIETY. IN SPITE OF THE VIEWS
OF SOME, PUBLIC DISCONTENT WITH BIG GOVERNMENT DOES
NOT LEGITIMIZE THE NEGATIVE AND SIMPLISTIC COUNSEL
good.
THAT IMPLIES WE MUST GIVE UP ON OUR DECADES OF EFFORT
TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL IN AMERICA.
PUBLIC DISCONTENT WITH BIG GOVERNMENT SAYS TO US
SIMPLY THAT WE HAVE STRAYED FROM OUR TRADITIONS OF
FREE CHOICE AND COMPROMISE FOR THE COMMON GOOD.
IT IS A WARNING TO US, BUT NOT ONE THAT LEGITIMIZES
A POLITICS OF DESPAIR.
FORD is LIBRARY
PAGE
THRNING FROM THE PRINCIPLES () COMMINERS PENEWAL
TO CONCRETE PROGRAMS, OWILL PROPOSE TO THE CONGRESS
SPECIAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO VLLOW THE NA IOWAL
GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY THE
INSTITUTIONS OF FAMILY. CHERGH. VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION.
NEICHBORHOOD AND SUBCULTURAL GROUP TO ENGAGE IN THE
ACTUAL MAKING AND ADMINISTERING OF DOMESTIC POLICY
IN THE AREAS OF CHILD CARE. EDUCATION, HEALTH. HOUSING,
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WELFARE.
FIRST. WE SHALL SEEK TO IMPROVE NATIONAL METHODS FOR
LISTENING TO THE NEEDS OF THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY,
INSTEAD OF STRENGTHENING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO
DICTATE POLICY CHOICES TO THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY.
OVER THE PAST YEAR OR MORE I HAVE TRAVELLED EXTENSIVELY
IN THE UNITED STATES, ENGAGING IN NUMEROUS SESSIONS ON A
RANGE OF POLITICAL ISSUES WITH BROAD SEGMENTS OF OUR
CONCERNED CITIZENRY, PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE,
ALL POLITICAL PERSUASIONS AND ALL GECGRAPHICAL AREAS.
[OPTIONAL: I WILL SEEK LEGISLATION THAT WILL PROVIDE
FUNDS FOR EXTENSIVE TRAVELLING BY ALL CABINET AND
SUBCABINET OFFICIALS, NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT
PROPAGANDA BUT OR THE PURPOSE OF GAINING INSIGHT INTO
1080
GERALD
LIBRARY
WHAT OUR COMMUNITIES V. ANT FROM THEIR NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT. ATTENDANCE AT THESE FORUMS, OVER THE
LENGTH AND BREADTH or THE UNITED STATES. V OULD
BECOME PART OF THE REQUIRED DUTIES OF FEDERAL
OFFICERS AFTER JANUARY 1977. 1
[ALSO. AS PART OF AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAM OF LISTENING
TO WHAT OUR AMERICAN COMMUNITY HAS TO SAY ABOUT
NATIONAL POLICY, I WILL SEEK LEGISLATION FOR REORGANIZING
CERTAIN FEDERAL DOMESTIC DEPARTMENTS IN ORDER TO
DECENTRALIZE THEIR ACTIVITIES. I HAVE IN MIND HERE SUCH
AGENCIES AS HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE, HOUSING
AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND TRANSPORTATION.
]
[FINALLY. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE CLOSER LINKS BETWEEN WHAT
WE DO HERE IN WASHINGTON AND WHAT OUR VAST CITIZENRY HAS
TO SAY TO US, I WILL PROPOSE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
NATIONAL OMBUDSMAN SYSTEM WHEREBY GRIEVANCES OF
PERSONS AGAINST OUR SPRAWLING BUREAUCRACY CAN BE
READILY. SYMPATHETICALLY AND SYSTEMATICALLY ANSWERED
ON A FULL-TIME BASIS BY RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS. NOT ONLY
HAS THE OMBUDSMAN SYSTEM BEEN SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED
IN NORTHERN EUROPE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, BUT SOME OF
FORD
GERALD $ LIBRARY
pans
but how old you key,
from becoming another burry
OUR OWN STATES AND ORGANIZATEON IN THE PAYMATE SECTOR
HAVE ADAPTED THIS INSTITUTION 10 THERE OWA NEEDS. V. P.
WANT OUR NATIONAL GOCERNMENT TO MOVE CLOSER TO OUR
COMMUNITY LIFE. AND WE WANT OUR COMMUNITY LIFE
EXPRESSED IN ITS FULL POWER WITHIN OUR NATIONAL GOVERN
MENT.
]
MOVING FROM METHODS OF GIVING OUR COMMUNITIES A MD RE
FORCEFUL VOICE IN NATIONAL AFFAIRS TO PROGRAMS THAT
WILL FOSTER COMMUNITY RENEWAL IN AMERICAN LIFE, IT
IS IMPORTANT FIRST TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAS PREOCCUPIED
GOVERNMENT POLICYMAKERS IN THE LAST TEN YEARS.
THE FOCUS OF GOVERNMENT POLICY THUS FAR IN THE LATE SIXTIES
A ND EARLY SEVENTIES ILAS BEEN AN INWARD ONE. THERE HAS
BEEN A PROPER BUT BY NO MEANS COMPREHENSIVE CONCENTRATION
ON PUTTING GOVERNMENT'S OWN HOUSE IN ORDER.
MOVING TOWARD PROGRAM CONSOLIDATION AND BLOC-GRANT
MECHANISMS, WE HAVE TRIED TO DECENTRALIZE THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AND RE-DISTRIBUTE THE POWERS AND RESPONSI-
BILITIES ACCUMULATED IN WASHINGTON BACK TO THE STATES
AND LOCALITIES.
GERALD FORD
THE INNOVATION OF REVENUE SHARING TAS BEEN \ PHYSTONE
OF THAT EFFORT. I BELIEVE TT SHOULD BE CONTINUED AND
STRENGTHENED. BUT TO RETURN TO MY THEME OF COMMUNITY
RENEWAL, IT IS BY NO MEANS ENOUGH FOR GOVERNMENT TO
PUT ITS OWN HOUSE IN ORDER.
A PUBLIC POLICY WHICH FOCUSES ON GOVERNMENT ALONE
AS PROBLEM SOLVER. BY DEFINITION FAILS TO FOCUS ON THE
ABILITIES OF PEOPLE AND INSTITUTIONS OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT.
REVENUE SHARING, IN MY VIEW, WILL NOT HAVE FULFILLED
ITS FULL POTENTIAL AS A VEHICLE FOR A TRANSFER OF
POWER FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IF THE LINES OF
TRANSFER EXTEND ONLY FROM BIG GOVERNMENTAL
BUREAUCRACIES TO SMALLER ONES.
A POLICY OF COMMUNITY RENEWAL ENVISIONS A CONTINUATION
OF THAT TRANSFER OF POWER TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND ENHANCE THE CAPABILITIES OF
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. BUT IT ALSO ENVISIONS
AN EXTENSION OF THAT PROCESS SO. THAT POWER CAN BE
TRANSFERRED TO LEGITIMATE NON-GOVERNMENTAL INSTITU-
TIONS -- SUCH AS THE FAMILY AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD -- IN
WAYS I WILL SHORTLY OUTLINE FOR YOU.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
FOR MOST AMERICANS LIVERG TODAY, THIS VAY REPRESENT \
VERY NEW APPROACE TO NUMBER
AMERICAN PEOPLE. BUT LETT ME ASSCRE YOU will THEM.
THAT THOUGH THIS MAY BD RADICALLY DIFFERENT FROM THAT
TO WHICH TWENTIETH CENTURY AMERICANS HAVE GROWN
ACCUSTOMED, THERE IS NOTHING RADICAL ABOUT IT. THIS
IS A PROGRAM OF COMMUNITY RENEWAL WHICH IS DESIGNED TO
PUT THE NATION'S HOUSE IN ORDER, NOT JUST THE GOVERN-
MENT'S. so LONG AS WE CONTINUE, THROUGH REVENUE
SHARING OR ANY OTHER PROGRAM, TO EMPHASIZE WHAT
GOVERNMENT DOES TO THE EXCLUSION OF WHAT PEOPLE
CAN DO. WE CONTINUE THAT IMBALANCE I SPOKE OF.
CONSCIOUSLY OR NOT, WE MAKE IT US. THE GOVERNMENT,
AGAINST THEM, THE PEOPLE. AND NO MATTER HOW WELL
ORDERED OUR SIDE OF THE HOUSE MAY BE, THIS COUNTRY
WILL REMAIN A HOUSE DIVIDED.
so LET US TURN NOW TO SOME OF THE SPECIFIC INGREDIENTS
OF A POLICY OF COMMUNITY RENEWAL.
PERHAPS WHAT IS MOST MISSING FROM PUBLIC POLICY TODAY
IS THE IMAGINATION IT TAKES TO COMBINE PROBLEMS THAT
SEEM UNRELATED AND COME UP WITH COMMON SOLUTIONS.
THE RISING DEMAND FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES MAY SEEM
is
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LORALLY
DISASSOCIACED
PROMISMS
ENDENSY POPULATION. (NOUND 10
VERY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS. BUT : WOULD SUGGEST THERE
MAY BE A COMMON SOLUTION.
THE DEMAND FOR CHILD CARE IS GROWING AS A LEGITIMATE
OUTGROWTH OF THE ENTRY OF MANY WORKING MOTHERS
INTO THE NATIONAL LABOR FORCE. THERE IS, AS OF NOW,
A VERY REAL DANGER THATBIC GOVERNMENT WILL BE CALLED
UPON TO SUPPLY THAT DEMAND IN A TYPICALLY IMPERSONAL
BUREAUCRATIC WAY, THROUGH THE CREATION OF LARGE,
INSTITUTIONAL AND EXPENSIVE CHILD-CARE CENTERS. TIIIS
INDEED WOULD BE ONESOLUTION TO THE "CHILD-CARE
PROBLEM." BUT THERE IS CONCEIVABLY ANOTHER. FROM THE
STANDPOINT OF THE TAXPAYER, IT WOULD HAVE THE VIRTUE
OF BEING LESS EXPENSIVE. FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE
PARENT, IT WOULD HAVE THE VIRTUE OF BEING LESS
IMPERSONAL. AND FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE CHILD,
IT WOULD HAVE THE VIRTUE OF BEING MORE CLOSELY AKIN
TO THE FAMILIAL ENVIRONMENT IT IS INTENDED TO AUGMENT.
I AM SUGGESTING HERE A CONCEPT VERY CLOSE TO THE
FOSTER GRANDPARENTS PLAN THAT HAS BEEN TRIED WITH
SOME SUCCESS ALREADY. RATHER THAN ESTABLISHING COLD
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AND PAPERSONAL DAY CM99 WAY COSED THE
ELDERLY NOT BE EMPLOYED IN NERGUBORHOOD CENTERS
AND PAMILY-LIKE SETTINGS TO LODE AUTER SMALL NUMBERS
OF CHILDREN. PUBLIC FUNDS COULD BS USED. ETTHER IN
DIRECT PAYMENT OF STIPENDS TO THE ELDERLY OR THROUGH
INDIRECT TAX CREDITS TO THE PARENTS AND THE LEGITIMATE
PUBLIC DEMAND FOR CHILD CARE WOULD BE SERVED AS WOULD
THE VALID PUBLIC INTEREST IN PROVIDING MEANINGFUL
AND REWARDING AND REMUNERATIVE OCCUPATION FOR THOSE
OLDER AMERICANS WHO EITHER NEED OR SEEK SUCH
INVOLVEMENT.
GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT, THROUGH ITS WELFARE LAWS, FORCE
MOTHERS OUT OF THE HOME AND TO THE EXTENT THAT
WELFARE LAWS AND REGULATIONS PRESENTLY TEND IN THAT
DESTRUCTIVE DIRECTION, I WILL SEEK AMENDMENT. BUT
WHERE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCE OR PERSONAL PREFERENCE
LEADS A MOTHER TO SEEK EMPLOYMENT, GOVERNMENT POLICY
SHOULD ENCOURAGE THE CREATION OF SUCH NON-BUREAUCRATIC
CHILD-CARE OPPORTUNITIES AS I HAVE DESCRIBED. AND I
INTEND TO PROPOSE PROGRAMS WHICH CAN ENCOURAGE THE
CREATION OF SUCH OPPORTUNITIES.
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ALSO a THE FIELD OFFICED CAME, I CHALL EXPRODUCE
PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE NEWDED ASSOTANCE 10 PARENTS WHO WISH
TO CARE FOR THE HAND/CAPPED CHILD IN THE HOME. AS OPPOSED
TO SEEKING INSTITUTIONALIZED CARE. I DO NOT THINK 11'
RIGHT OR JUST THAT ONLY THOSE PARENTS WHO DECIDE TO
INSTITUTIONALIZE THESE CHILDREN SHOULD HAV E ACCESS TO
PUBLIC HELP. DIRECT AID OR A COMBINATION OF SUCH AID
ALONG WITH TAX DEDUCTIONS COULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR
MANY SUCH PARENTS WHO SO DESIRE TO KEEP THE CHILD AT
HOME AND WITHOUT BY THAT DECISION, FORSAKING THE
PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE WHICH IS so OFTEN ESSENTIAL IN
THESE SITUATIONS.
THESE ARE TWO CONCRETE EXAMPLES OF WAYS IN WHICH
PUBLIC POLICY COULD SEEK TO ENHANCE RATHER THAN
DEBILITATE THE STRENGTHS WHICH ARE INHERENT IN FAMILY
LIFE. AND THE STRONG LIKELIHOOD THAT SUCH NON-BUREAU-
CRATIC SOLUTIONS TO SUCH VERY PERSONAL PROBLEMS COULD
ALSO STRENGTHEN AND TEND TO HUMANIZE PUBLIC POLICY IS
WORTH EMPHASIS.
IN THE SAME SPIRIT, I INTEND TO INTRODUCE PROGRAMS OR
MORE GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH CAN OFFER WAYS TO
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CONTINUE OUR DRIVE TO AIRST SPECIFIC PROBLEMS AND
CAN LENGES IN AMERICAN LIFE THROUGH A NEW EMPILASM
ON POSTERING COMMUNITY RENEWAL. THISE WILL
ENCOURAGE THE INSTITUTION OF COVERNMENT TO ALLY
ITSELF WITH. RATHER THAN IGNORE OR PREEMPT AS IN THE
PAST, THE STRENGTHS INHERENT IN OTHER AMERICAN
INSTITUTIONS.
IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION, I SHALL VIGOROUSLY SUPPORT
INITIATIVES TO END GOVERNMENTAL PRACTICES WHICH
MILITATE AGAINST FREE MORAL CHOICE, AND EQUALITY OF
OPFO RTUNITY. FORCED BUSING OF CHILDREN TO SCHOOLS
OUTSIDE THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES, RESTRICTIONS ON THE
PUBLIC USE OF RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS IN THE SCHOOLS INHIBIT
FREE CHOICE AND I SHALL SEEK REMOVAL OF THOSE INHIBI-
TIONS.
BUT OPPOSITION TO FORCED BUSING STEMS CHIEFLY FROM
ITS COERCIVE ELEMENTS. SOME PARENTS, FOR REASONS OF
THEIR OWN EDUCATIONAL OUTLOOK .WOULD NOT, IF GIVEN
THE CHOICE, SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO THEIR OWN NEIGH-
BORHOOD SCHOOL IN ANY EVENT. TODAY, THE LOWER INCOME
PARENT WHO WOULD PREFER AN ALTERNATIVE TO PUBLIC
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EDUCATION LACKS THE BANGE OF CHOICE 0.43 ii) SPOUR
PARENTS.
A VOUCHER SYSTEM OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTA FCB WOULD
BROADEN THEIR RANGE OF CHOICES AND WORLD. IN
ADDITION, STRENGTHEN EDUCATION IN THIS COUNTRY BY
OPENING IT UP TO THE DYNAMICS OF COMPETITION. I
SHALL OFFER TO THE CONGRESS MY PROPOSAL FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH A FREEDOM-OF-CHOICE SYSTEM.
THERE ARE VARIOUS VERSIONS OF THE VOUCHER CONCEPT
WHICH HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED, BUT THE BASIC IDEA IS QUITE
SIMPLE. RATHER THAN CHANNELLING PUBLIC FUNDS DIRECTLY
TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS, WHICH PRESENTLY HOLD AN EFFEC-
TIVE EDUCATIONAL MONOPOLY IN MOST JURISDICTIONS, A
VOUCHER PLAN WOULD DISTRIBUTE THESE SAME FUNDS
DIRECTLY TO PARENTS WHO WOULD THEN BE FREE TO
CHOOSE BETWEEN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SCHOOLS.
SUCH A PLAN WOULD HAVE A NUMBER OF BENEFITS. BUT
MOST SIGNIFICANTLY, IT WOULD CONVERT PARENTS FROM
BEING PASSIVE OBJECTS OF EDUCATIONAL POLICY TO BEING
ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THE FORMULATION OF THAT POLICY.
PARENTS WOULD BE FREE TO CHOOSE FOR THEIR CHILDREN
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PAGE TWENTY 0.5
THOSE SCHOOLS WHIGH MOST GLOSELY CORESPOND TO THEIR
OWN CULTURAL AND MORAL VALUES. IN THIS WAY. THE
SCHOOLS WOULD BE STRENGTHENED BY THE PAMILIES
STRENGTHS AND THE FAMILIES STRENGTHS WOULD BE
REINFORCED.
SUCH A VOUCHER CONCEPT CAN BE SO DESIGNED AS TO
PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF EDUCATIONAL UNIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS
AND TO PREVENT THE ABUSE OF RACIAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC
EXCLUSIONSISM.
THE PATH TO BETTERMENT OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS LIES IN
THE RENEWAL OF PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS. IF THE TWO ARE
STRENGTHENED AND BROUGHT TOGETHER IN A MEANINGFUL
PARTNERSHIP, EACH CAN BE RENEWED.
A FINAL WORD ABOUT FORCED BUSING: THE PERCEIVED NEED
FOR THIS POLICY ARISES FROM THE VERY REAL SEPARATION
WHICH STILL PERSISTS IN MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
I WILL WORK STRENUOUSLY AND ENUNCIATE POLICIES TO
END THE HOUSING AND ZONING DISCRIMINATION WHICH
PERPETUATE, BY ARBITRARY AND CAPRICIOUS LEGAL
STANDARDS, THIS DISCRIMINATION. TO THIS END I SHALL
PROPOSE DECENTRALIZATION OF OUR DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND URBAN-DEVELOPMENT AND WILL SEEK STRONG
is
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02 GOVERNMENT TO INTERCEDE ON BREATH ().' PARTIES
ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY BLATANT HOSSER VND ZONING
DISCRIMINATION.
CRIME IS A SOCIAL PROBLEM WITH MANY PACETS, AND [T
IS CLEAR THAT THERE CAN BE NO SINGLE, SIMPLE SOLUTION
TO IT. STRENGTHENING POLICE FORCES AND COURT
SYSTEMS MUST CERTAINLY BE PART OF THE SOLUTION. BUT
WHERE CRIME IS LOW, IT IS USUALLY BECAUSE THE INFORMAL
COMMUNITY PRESSURES ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO PREVENT IT
-- AS, FOR EXAMPLE, IN OLD-STYLE ETHNIC NEIGHBORHOODS, IN
WHICH PEOPLE KNOW EACH OTHER, CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER,
A ND WATCH OUT FOR EACH OTHER. IT SHOULD BE PUBLIC
POLICY TO ENCOURAGE AND UTILIZE SUCH COMMUNITY
PRESSURES WHERE THEY EXIST, AND TO HELP CREATE THEM
IN PLACES WHERE THEY ARE ABSENT.
PUBLIC POLICY SHOULD BE GEARED TO CONVERTING URBAN
NEIGHBORHOODS INTO CRIME-PREVENTING SITUATIONS. THIS
HAS PHYSICAL ASPECTS, MOST APPLICABLE "O NEW CONSTRUC-
TIONS: THERE SHOULD BE AS LITTLE SPACE AS POSSIBLE TIA 'I'
WILL BE EMPTY AT CERTAIN HOURS; CONVERSELY, ACTIVITIES
SHOULD BE so SPACED THAT PEOPLE ARE CONTINUALLY
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PRESENT ALL OVER : GWN ARMA. THE SOCIAL ASPECTS
ARE MORE IMPORTA NT. THOUGH. NEIGHBORHOOD AND
BLOCK ASSOCIATIONS, AS WELL AS OWNERS AND TEMANTS
ASSOCIATIONS, CAN BE STRENGTHENED TO PERFORM CRIME-
PREVENTION FUNCTIONS. INDIVIDUALS NORMALLY LOCATED
IN STRATEGIC PLACES CAN BE FORMALLY RECOGNIZED AND
REMUNERATED FOR SUCH CRIME-PREVENTING PERFORMANCES--
THE RETIRED PERSON, SAY, WHO LIKES TO SIT AT THE WINDOW
OR ON THE STOOP TO WATCH WHAT GOES ON IN THE STREET,
OR THE OWNER OF A SMALL STORE AT A CORNER WHERE
YOUNGSTERS TEND TO CONGREGATE, OR THE DRIVER OF AN
ICE-CREAM TRUCK CIRCULATING REGULARLY IN THE AREA.
AS HAS BEEN WIDELY RECOGNIZED BY POLICE OFFICERS. THIS
TYPE OF COMMUNITY LAW-ENFORCEMENT IS BY NO MEANS A
NEW VIGILANTISM IN COMPETITION WITH THE POLICE; ON THE
CONTRARY, IT SUPPLEMENTS AND FACILITATES THE WORK OF
THE POLICE. IT DOES NOT BESTOW RIGHTS THAT CITIZENS
DO NOT POSSESS ALREADY. WHAT IT DOES Do IS TO GIVE
PUBLIC RECOGNITION AND REWARD TO THE EXERCISE OF
THESE RIGHTS -- AT A FRACTION OF THE COST OF FORMAL
LAW ENFORCEMENT.
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AS A VINAL NOTE, LET Md OBSERVE HAVE Not
INTENDED TO OUTLINE ANY LAST 07 LARGE COMESTIC
NATIONAL GOALS IN THIS ADDRESS. 1 HAVE SCT FOR MY
ADMINISTRATION, BUT ONE PRE-EMINENT GOAL, THE
REBUILDING OF A FREE SOCIETY THROUGH THE POLICY OF
COMMUNITY RENEWAL. THE OBJECTIVE OF SUCH A POLICY
IS TO MOVE OURSELVES AND THE COUNTRY TOWARD
ACCEPTANCE OF A MORE LIMITED GOVERNMENT AND A LESS
LIMITED CITIZENRY.
SO LONG AS THE COMMON GOOD MAY BE DEFINED ONLY BY
WE IN GOVERNMENT, THEN THE DANGER EXISTS THAT THE
COMMON GOOD MAY BE SUBORDINATED TO OUR OWN VIEW AND
TO THAT ALONE. THE FIRST PHRASE OF OUR CONSTITUTION
E NVISIONS A MORE BROADENED BASIS FOR NATIONAL POLICY.
"WE THE PEOPLE" ARE TO BE ITS SHAPERS, NOT MERELY WE
THE GOVERNMENT.
IN MY TRAVELS OVER THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE BECOME
ACUTELY AWARE OF THE ERUSTRATIONS OF GOOD PEOPLE ALL
ACROSS THIS COUNTRY WHO HAVE LABORED FOR YEARS IN GOOD
CAUSES BUT WHO HAVE HAD TO DO so IN ISOLATION FROM THE
RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE WHICH THEIR GOVERNMENT HAS
DEVELOPED AND CHANNELLED INTO NARROW AVENUES OF
in
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MICRATIC UTILICATION.
FOR you LONG, THESE GOOD PEOPLE, WORKING On THEIR
OWN HAVE BEEN VIEWED BY THEIR GOVERNMENT AS JUST
SO MANY SPECIAL INTERESTS. IN A VERY REAL AND
VERY LEGITIMATE SENSE, THAT IS PRECISELY WHAT THEY
ARE. BUT IN AN EQUALLY REAL AND VITAL SENSE. UNLESS
THESE DIVERSE SPECIAL INTERESTS ARE BROUGHT TOGETHER
INTO A UNIFIED WHOLE THERE CAN BE NO DEFINITION OF
THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
FOR IN AMERICA, NO SINGLE CONCENSUS DEFINITION OF THE
PUBLIC INTEREST CAN BE IMPOSED, NOT EVEN BY
REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. A COMMON SENSE OF THE
COMMON INTEREST MUST EMERGE FROM THE VARIOUS SPECIAL
INTERESTS OF OUR DIVERSE AND PLURALISTIC SOCIETY, FROM
WE THE PEOPLE.
I WOULD PROPOSE THAT THE ONLY SURE WAY TO THAT END IS
T HE REBUILDING OF A FREE SOCIETY.
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