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1936 › Frank Knox (Republican) › Overall role and scale of the federal government

Fair, honest, economical and efficient government; preserve free enterprise against 'amateur economic planners'

pledge_forwardvague_gesturecandidate_directevidence B Federal Budget & SpendingEconomy & Fiscal Policy similar solutions · similar reasoning

Solution

No 'patent nostrums': promise honest administration, economy, and sensible measures; the election decides between regimentation by federal bureaucrats and free enterprise under constitutional powers.

Rationale

'It is the verdict of history, from Diocletian in Rome to Mr. Roosevelt In Washington, that no one man can successfully guide the course of industry for a great nation.'

Statements (2)

1936-07-30 · Vice-presidential acceptance, Chicago (Evening Star text) · conventioncandidate_direct ✓ verified
It does promise a fair and honest government. It does promise that this government will be as eco nomical and efficient as it can be made.
1936-07-30 · Vice-presidential acceptance, Chicago (Evening Star text) · conventioncandidate_direct ✓ verified
The country must choose between the regimentation of the economic life of 130,000,000 people by politi cally appointed Federal bureaucrats and the continuance of the Amer lean system of free enterprise un der a government of constitutional powers.

Follow-through

not_applicable

Rhetorical; Knox joined the Roosevelt cabinet in July 1940.

Other positions on this issue

1936-knox-economical-honest-government-free-enterprise · created by claude-fable-5-1 · review: unreviewed