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Young GOP, University of Michigan, November 18, 1965
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Young GOP, University of Michigan, November 18, 1965
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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The original documents are located in Box D19, folder "Young GOP, University of
Michigan, November 18, 1965" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and
Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Young GOP
Uf Michigan nor.18 19657 1
It is not always easy for one generation to speak to another.
An incident from the great American classic, "The Education of
Henry Adams," reminds me of this.
In the book is a description of a temper tantrum by young Henry
when he was 7 years old. The tantrum started because he refused to
go to school. He stomped on the floor and refused to leave the house.
The boy was about to win the argument when his grandfather-John
Qunicy Adams--came into the room.
Without a word, the former President took young Henry by the hand and
led him outside. The man and his grandson walked quietly to the
schoolhouse nearly a mile away.
By that display of keen human relationship, Mr. Adams earned the
lifelong admiration of his grandson.
because in the course of
the entire incident, he said absolutely nothing to the boy.
Surely, there are some things that cannot be said from one generation
to another
but this is not one of those times.
FORD i LIBRARY CERALD
-more-
Digitized from Box D19 of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Ford
GOP
-2-
I will talk about Republicanism and our Nation.
Sometimes when we look at ourselves as Americans, we wonder what
makes us tick. And, I'm sure it's true that we confuse our friends abroad.
We clamor for speed laws that will stop fast driving, but we won't buy
a car that won't make 100 miles an hour.
We have more food to eat than any other country and more diets to keep
us from eating it.
We 'll criticize home cooking and then go on a fishing trip to eat
half-fried potatoes, burned fish, and drink coffee made out of gritty
creek water from a rusty bucket---and think the food is great!
We know the line-ups of major league baseball teams and the names
of potential All-Americans, but we don't know half the words of
the "Star Spangled Banner."
We may appear inconsistent, but there is a long line of consistency
that started in the beginnings of our country and has run down to
our time consistency in the essential and lasting values.
-more-
Young GOP
N&M 3
There is, however, a political inconsistency that bothers me.
We say we are Republicans and then some head off in separate
directions.
One
is
a
conservative
he wants no change in the things forced
on the world yesterday by radicals!
Another is a liberal--he's the person with both feet firmly planted
in thin air!
You might say the radical is nothing more or less than a conservative
out of a job.
More seriously, I believe we must all be just Republicans. This does
not mean one huge monolithic political organization. We should have
responsible dialogue, and responsible disagreement.
Let's leave the squabbling, the back stabbing, the S elfish
going-it-alone to the Democrats.
Being a Republican is an individual task. We don't need a committee
to make this decision.
-more-
Young
Ford
R
GOP
-4-
This reminds me--- a committee of five consists of one person who does
the work, three others who pat him on the back, and one who brings in
a minority report.
Someone has described a committee as a group of persons who, singly,
think they can do nothing, but collectively agree that nothing
can be done.
Collectively and singly,
Young Republicans
know something can be done about winning some Republican victories.
On occasions like this, I think of a comment by the Irish writer
Frank O'Conner who said, "When as kids we came to an orchard wall that
seemed toohigh to climb, we took off our caps and tossed them over the
wall. then we had no choice but to follow them. "
You have tossed your caps---and ladies, your hats over the political
wall. I know you will follow them.
more
Young GOP
-5-
Frankly, we are not here to either condemn what or who caused
the Republican defeat last year nor to wring our hands, nor to
bemoan our fate, noR to look with pessimism at the future.
We are here because we firmly believe the Republican Party has a
good cause, can win, and must prevail for the preservation and
expansion of those principles of government that have made America
the symbol and leader in the cause of freedom.
outlining
Before outling a Republican blueprint for action, let's quuickly
analyze the present situation.
Our party is at its lowest point numerically speaking since 1936.
In the House of Representatives Democrats have 294 seats and we have
141. Like the Indian yogi lying on a bed of nails--it only hurts
when we laugh!
Republicans are outnumbered 2 to 1 in the United States Senate.
It is most rewarding, however, to see some Democrats mending their
ways and voting with Republicans on some major issues.
-more-
Ford Rapid City GOP
-6-
In the 50 statehouses, there are two Democrat governors for every
Republican. We similarly have lost strength in many state legislatures.
On the other hand, the Democratic party's record is vulnerable.
It has a 4-year record of expediency rather than results. Despite
the chest pounding about the Great Society's achievements, the truth
is that the present Congress has adopted legislation long on quantity
and short on quality. And. America is skating on thin ice.
A long list of indictments should be vigorously presented to
the American people.
for example,
In the area of agriculture, federal legislation is a patchwork of
mistakes the federal government has made in the past. The farmer's
cost of operation is increased far greater than his income.
Farmers should be permitted to make their own management decisions
without the Administration dictating almost every move.
The cost of food is soaring not because of farmers, but because of
the federal governmeent's monetary policy leading to inflation.
-more-
Young GOP
-7-
We believe much federal spending is mishandled. Along with this
misuse of funds has C ome misleading information and suppression
of what should be public records.
In Washington, the symbol for the Administration has become known
as Uncle Sham. It is indeed government by sham.
More press releases, but fewer facts, are turned out than ever before.
A major newspaper--commenting on the flurry of words allegedly uttered
by the President-- commented "the orchestration of the publicity
has been superb."
As a footnote, I would say the orchestrations are marred by a lot of
off-key, sour notes.
Republicans in Congress find it difficult to get straight information
from federal agencies. The news media finds it difficult to fully
report government operations.
-more-
Young GOP
-8-
Yes, there are several vital, major issues for us.
The record of President Johnson presents the Republican Party
with a magnificant opportunity to return sound, sensible and
responsible government.
His record and the Great Society a shambles of contradiction
give us the issues of reckless spending,
bureaucratic sprawl,
inflationary pressures and higher hidden taxes and the loss of
individual freedom and identity.
Fortunately, the American sense of individualism is still strong.
INCOME TAX STORY
The Republican Party is the only vehicle by which millions of Americans
acn express their political philosophy
and this philosophy, in
my judgment, is best for America.
However, our Party must earn the respect of the American people
by presenting articulate, knowledgable, personable candidates
by organizing our strength by building arecord of accomplishment.
-more-
Young GOP
-9-
I believe we must conduct a neighbor-to-neighbor crusade -
explaining the Republican philosophy and contrasting it with the
record of the Democrat Administration.
What exactly is our philosophy ?
As I see it, we believe an individual has a God-given dignity and
government exists to serve each person.
We believe each individual has the right and responsibility to govern
himself within the framework of law and order.
We believe the basic function of government is to maintain and
individuals
environment in which all 1 can freely develop.
We believe government should act to help establish conditions of
equal opportunity for all people.
Finally, we believe private ownership and free enterprise best serve
economic progress.
In conclusion, I believe we should hammer home this important message
-more-
Young GOP
-10-
and, We should repeat this reminder as often as possible.
We should in our crusade remind the electorate that
a government BIG enough to give you everything you want is BIG
enough to take from you everything you have!
Thank you.
# # #