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FDR was more extreme than Trump so far. For instance consider banning private ownership of gold by executive order. Mind you, Trump could still declare himself

by btilly 2y ago

FDR was more extreme than Trump so far. For instance consider banning private ownership of gold by executive order. Mind you, Trump could still declare himself dictator. But based on what's happened so far? FDR was more extreme.

IAmGraydon 2y ago
FDR's order regarding gold was part of a broader effort to combat the Great Depression by stopping gold hoarding, allowing the government to inflate the money supply and stimulate the economy. It wasn’t a total seizure — people were compensated at the then-official rate of $20.67 per ounce. The comparison doesn't hold water whatsoever.
- btilly 2y ago
  Name me 5 executive orders by Trump which, combined, disrupt normal economic affairs by as much as that single one. As for the broader efforts, the New Deal required various things like reinterpreting the Commerce Clause. Look up "the switch in time which saved nine" for why the Supreme Court went along with it. Not to mention things like the internment of Japanese-Americans during WW 2. No, FDR was the closest thing we've had to a king. There is a reason why the 22nd amendment was passed so quickly after he died.
  - throwaway48476 2y ago
    Closest since Lincoln.
    - throwyouaway 2y ago
      Lincoln held the Union together and led to a USA that saved Europe and beyond. He also advocated letting the defeated South “up easy” in an effort to rebuild some sort of national unity after the greatest loss of life we have ever experienced in this nation. Could you imagine Trump doing the same? Lincoln guided us through a national disaster as best as possible for a person to do, I don’t recall him enriching himself either.
      - throwaway48476 2y ago
        Guided us through a national disaster by starting a war? You don't get credit for guidance if you were the cause of the disaster. The history of America was one of political compromise, that he threw out in favor of war. A lot of people got fabulously rich off the war and then the carpet bagging. And for those that believe it was about slavery then why did the emancipation proclamation free 0 slaves? He exempted the slave counties the union controlled because the goal wasn't an end to slavery. He could have freed the slaves but chose not to.
    - throwyouaway 2y ago
      Lincoln started the war? Lincoln’s actions didn’t result in the eventual freeing of the slaves? Lincoln was unpopular in the South and so they wanted to take their ball and go home; the South started the war - the North ended it and has the graciousness not to take absolute vengeance on the remains. Lincoln was imperfect and could have done more so you think Trump would have done anything? Except make a “deal” swapping citizens for money?
      - throwaway48476 2y ago
        Its a good thing you are gracious not to take absolute vengeance on your neighbors when they annoy you. I feel bad for them to have to live near someone so violently unhinged. Politics is the art of compromise.
  - IAmGraydon 2y ago
    >Name me 5 executive orders by Trump which, combined, disrupt normal economic affairs by as much as that single one. By the end of this year, I think you're going to look back on this comment and wonder how you ever typed it. FDR's policies are responsible for literally saving the economy and pulling the US out of the Great Depression.
    - btilly 2y ago
      My comment was about the degree of executive power exercised, and not about the wisdom of his actions. Trump has yet to match FDR. That said, many historians believe that FDR's actions made the Great Depression longer and more severe. Given that most other countries recovered more quickly than the USA, they may have a point. But that is a complex debate. Far simpler is how much executive power FDR wielded.

by btilly 2y ago

IAmGraydon 2y ago

FDR's order regarding gold was part of a broader effort to combat the Great Depression by stopping gold hoarding, allowing the government to inflate the money supply and stimulate the economy. It wasn’t a total seizure — people were compensated at the then-official rate of $20.67 per ounce. The comparison doesn't hold water whatsoever.

btilly 2y ago
Name me 5 executive orders by Trump which, combined, disrupt normal economic affairs by as much as that single one. As for the broader efforts, the New Deal required various things like reinterpreting the Commerce Clause. Look up "the switch in time which saved nine" for why the Supreme Court went along with it. Not to mention things like the internment of Japanese-Americans during WW 2. No, FDR was the closest thing we've had to a king. There is a reason why the 22nd amendment was passed so quickly after he died.
- throwaway48476 2y ago
  Closest since Lincoln.
  - throwyouaway 2y ago
    Lincoln held the Union together and led to a USA that saved Europe and beyond. He also advocated letting the defeated South “up easy” in an effort to rebuild some sort of national unity after the greatest loss of life we have ever experienced in this nation. Could you imagine Trump doing the same? Lincoln guided us through a national disaster as best as possible for a person to do, I don’t recall him enriching himself either.
    - throwaway48476 2y ago
      Guided us through a national disaster by starting a war? You don't get credit for guidance if you were the cause of the disaster. The history of America was one of political compromise, that he threw out in favor of war. A lot of people got fabulously rich off the war and then the carpet bagging. And for those that believe it was about slavery then why did the emancipation proclamation free 0 slaves? He exempted the slave counties the union controlled because the goal wasn't an end to slavery. He could have freed the slaves but chose not to.
  - throwyouaway 2y ago
    Lincoln started the war? Lincoln’s actions didn’t result in the eventual freeing of the slaves? Lincoln was unpopular in the South and so they wanted to take their ball and go home; the South started the war - the North ended it and has the graciousness not to take absolute vengeance on the remains. Lincoln was imperfect and could have done more so you think Trump would have done anything? Except make a “deal” swapping citizens for money?
    - throwaway48476 2y ago
      Its a good thing you are gracious not to take absolute vengeance on your neighbors when they annoy you. I feel bad for them to have to live near someone so violently unhinged. Politics is the art of compromise.
- IAmGraydon 2y ago
  >Name me 5 executive orders by Trump which, combined, disrupt normal economic affairs by as much as that single one. By the end of this year, I think you're going to look back on this comment and wonder how you ever typed it. FDR's policies are responsible for literally saving the economy and pulling the US out of the Great Depression.
  - btilly 2y ago
    My comment was about the degree of executive power exercised, and not about the wisdom of his actions. Trump has yet to match FDR. That said, many historians believe that FDR's actions made the Great Depression longer and more severe. Given that most other countries recovered more quickly than the USA, they may have a point. But that is a complex debate. Far simpler is how much executive power FDR wielded.