The political economy of World War II redefined the liberal vision, confirming an international direction for US capitalism and a problem for the extension of any New Deal social reforms. The possibility of extension was defined by FDR himself in the Economic Bill of Rights. This is FDR’s state of the union address in 1944. Can you imagine a President issuing such an address now? Why or why not?

From FDR’s state of the union address, 1944:

...It is our duty now to begin to lay down the plans and determine the strategy for the winning of a lasting peace and the establishment of an American standard of living higher than ever before known.  We cannot be content, no matter how high that general standard of living may be, if

some fraction of our people--whether it be one-third or one-fifth or one-tenth--is ill-fed, ill-clothed, ill-housed, and insecure.

    This republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength, under the protection of certain inalienable political rights-among them the right to free speech, free press, free worship, trial by jury, freedom from unreasonable search and seizures.  They were our rights to life and liberty.

    As our Nation has grown in size and stature, however-as our industral economy expanded-these political rights proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness.

    We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independance.  "Necessitous men are not free men."  People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.

    In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident.  We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all-regardless of station, race, or creed.

    Among these are:

    The right to a useful and renumerative job in the

industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;

    The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and

clothing and recreation.

    The right of every farmer to raise and sell his

products at return which will give him and his family a

decent living;

    The right of every businessman, large and small, to

trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and

domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

    The right of every family to a decent home;

    The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity

to achieve and enjoy good health;

    The right to adequate protection from the economic

fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

    The right to a good education;

    All of these rights spell security... And after this

war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the

implementation of these rights, to new goals of human

happiness and well being.