Herbert Hoover: Responsible For Demise Of The GOP?

[Froufrou]

Hoover agreed to one of the largest tax increases in American history. The Revenue Act of 1932 raised taxes on the highest incomes from 25% to 63%. The estate tax was doubled and corporate taxes were raised by almost 15%. Hoover also encouraged Congress to investigate the New York Stock Exchange and this pressure resulted in various reforms.

For this reason, some hold that Hoover's economics were in fact left-wing in character. During the 1932 elections, Franklin D. Roosevelt blasted the Republican incumbent for spending and taxing too much, increasing national debt, raising tariffs and blocking trade, as well as placing millions on the dole of the government. He attacked Herbert Hoover for "reckless and extravagant" spending, of thinking "that we ought to center control of everything in Washington as rapidly as possible," and of leading "the greatest spending administration in peacetime in all of history." Roosevelt's running mate, John Nance Garner, accused the Republican of "leading the country down the path of socialism".

Source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Hoover)

[jackbenimble]

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr class="standard"><td>Quote </td></tr><tr class="standard"><td class="QUOTE">For this reason, some hold that Hoover's economics were in fact left-wing in character. [/QUOTE]

That makes a lot of sense because prior to the Roosevelts New Deal, the Democrats were the conservative party and the Republicans were the liberal party. The Great Depression caused a role reversal. Of course, the liberals of that day, no matter of which party would have been appalled by the wacked out folks running today's Democratic Party. Conservatism did not really become part of the Republican Party until Barry Goldwater. Eisenhower was pretty much a moderate.

This switch from conservatism to liberalism by the Democrats causes me some personal pain. My great-grandfather was elected Governor of Wyoming in 1914 (I think) as a conservative Democrat on a write-in ballot. In 1916 he was elected to the US Senate on a write-in ballot. I think he is still considered to be the most popular vote getter in Wyoming history.

A few years ago, because he was a Democrat and because he was very popular and is still part of local legend, the Sheridan Democratic party which is a bunch of wacked out leftists hit on the idea of having an annual picnic/fund raiser which they call &quot;John B Kendrick Day&quot;. I share my ancestor's name and their abuse of his name to promote their liberal agenda causes me no end of humiliation and shame and probably causes him to twist in his grave. Needless to say, I do not attend.

I think Terry mentioned that her parents were conservative Democrats. I bet a lot of people on this forum, particularly southerners, have made that switch.

Regards,
Jack

[Froufrou]

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr class="standard"><td>Quote </td></tr><tr class="standard"><td class="QUOTE"> I bet a lot of people on this forum, particularly southerners, have made that switch.
[/QUOTE]

You hit paydirt. My parents were from PA and were conservative Dems campaigning in Houston for Ralph Yarbrough.

Thank you for sharing about your great grandfather. Can you not deny them their use of his [and your] name?

[Billary2004]

Thanks for that info, Frou! Quite interesting. I actually think that your information is quite uplifting, in that we have been fighting the same beaurocratic battles since the birth of this country. Nice to see nothing's changed http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif I vote for more of the same....


Jack-

FDR ended up being a complete communist...the Smoot Hawley Act paved the way for the depression...he has no right to criticize Hoover. Of course the Republicans didn't put forth any good Pres until Nixon, who was marginally conservative. I do give credit to Nixon for his support of Israel during the Yom Kippur War though. Thankfully, Reagan saved the Republican Party and really created the Party of many under one tent.

[jackbenimble]

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr class="standard"><td>Quote </td></tr><tr class="standard"><td class="QUOTE">Can you not deny them their use of his [and your] name?
[/QUOTE]

I wish I could. But they are quite correct that he was a Democrat and how can I deny them the use of the name of one of their elected party members? That would be like some descendent of the Roosevelts saying that the Democrats can't mention him or one of the liberal Reagans trying to deny us the use of his name.

I did write a ltter to the editor once a few years ago pointing out that in his day the Democrats were conservative. But mostly I just lay low and cringe. The Democrats don't pack much credibility here so it all blows over pretty fast. I often choose to go camping in the mountains so I can miss reading about it in the paper.

Regards,
Jack

[Froufrou]

Jack, I do see your point, I have to [grudgingly] admit.

http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wavey.gif Hi Billary! You have not been around much...sowing wild oats?

http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/winkie.gif If Schultzie were here, I'm sure he'd tell you Git 'R Done!

[Terri]

<table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr class="standard"><td>Quote </td></tr><tr class="standard"><td class="QUOTE">I think Terry mentioned that her parents were conservative Democrats. I bet a lot of people on this forum, particularly southerners, have made that switch.[/QUOTE]

Yes, they had always been Democrats. My mother was a registered Democrat voting for Republicans once I grew up and pointed out we weren't Democrats. http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laff.gif

She never gave up calling herself one but she voted for Republicans.