|
Spend Some Time With Doris Kearns Goodwin's Time Essay on FDR I wanted to comment a little about Time magazine's person of the century issue. I thought it was terrific but I must tell you I think they made a mistake. Last month I noted I was very impressed by and enthusiastic for their number 1 choice -- Albert Einstein. But upon reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's essay about Franklin Delano Roosevelt, I have changed my mind. I suppose one could argue that they were each giants in there on fields, but that is a cop out. Of course they were. I am also aware that Stephen Hawking and Frederic Golden are no match for Kearns Goodwin's brilliant and touching writing style. Nonetheless, the reason she offers is simple most compelling -- he saved America. We certainly don't talk much about heroes or sheroes any more but FDR certainly was one. It is difficult for me to imagine how it was in 1930's America even though I've seen many newsreels and watched documentaries and read books, including Doris' on on FDR. But what struck me as I read the Time essay, and in a way I had never realized quite so deeply before, i.e. the severity of the problem American democracy faced. The great depression was conclusive evidence that capitalism, unfettered and free was about to collapse. Roosevelt's genius and vision found a way to both address the poverty and suffering, which was rampant in the land, but do it in a way that stayed within the basic structures of our American outlook. He modified capitalism and its relation to government substantially and yet he did not panic nor resort to either of the extreme economic postures, of communism or fascism, to deal with the crisis like other countries around the world had. Further, his accomplishment was not achieved without public recognition. The amazing outpouring of public grief which accompanied his funeral train back to the nation's capital expressed another profound accomplishment of his leadership: he truly touched the lives of our nations citizens. His policies and programs made real differences in the lives of countless Americans, restoring financial and personal dignity to those who were ravaged by economic disaster. His words and ways with the American people restored hope and confidence in our nations soul. I think today we long for someone like Roosevelt, a person of stature and greatness to emerge from the political slime and yet I wonder if the time of heroes has passed us by. Whatever the future holds in store, whatever new crisis may arise, my hope is that we do not forget FDR's spirit or legacy. Rev. Michael Heath, Fayetteville NY - 1/3/00 |