PresidentialPositionsIssuesReceptionTimelineDocuments

Work in progress — cycles are added one at a time. Every quote is machine-verified against an archived source; follow the links to read it.

A $5 billion federal public-works program — roads, reforestation, slum clearance, workers' housing — and idle factories and land turned over to the unemployed — Norman Thomas, 1932

Similar by rationale solution · rationale

ScoreCycleCandidateIssuePosition
0.481936Franklin D. RooseveltNeutrality, arms embargoes and staying out of foreign warsKeep the United States out of war: true neutrality, take the profits out of war, no political commitments
0.431932Franklin D. RooseveltFarm prices and agricultural surplusRestore purchasing power to the farming half of the nation
0.421932Herbert HooverPublic works as employment policyFederal construction at three times normal and $1.5 billion of RFC loans for self-liquidating works — but no pork-barrel or non-productive projects
0.411932Herbert HooverRegulation of banks and securitiesThe RFC and the 'shield of Government credit' saved 5,000 institutions and must continue — but no direct government lending to everyone
0.411932Norman ThomasWorking hours and labor standardsThe six-hour day and five-day week without reduction in wages
0.411936Franklin D. RooseveltWorking hours and labor standardsRevive the NRA's principles 'by one device or another' (imputed; the President would not say)
0.401936Franklin D. RooseveltLevel of federal spendingReduce the expenses of government as relief needs decline
0.401932Franklin D. RooseveltPublic works as employment policyPublic works spending is only a stopgap, not a cure for unemployment
0.391932Franklin D. RooseveltVeterans' bonus and benefitsNo early payment of the veterans' bonus until the budget is balanced with a cash surplus
0.381932Norman ThomasFederal responsibility for reliefA $5 billion federal appropriation for immediate relief of those in need
0.371932Herbert HooverLevel of federal spendingCut federal spending $1.5 billion below fiscal 1932 and reorganize the executive branch
0.361932Franklin D. RooseveltChild laborNo return to sweatshops or children working in factories
0.361932Norman ThomasPublic ownership of major industriesTransfer the principal industries — banking, natural resources, utilities — to social ownership by compensation, not confiscation
0.351932Herbert HooverEuropean war debts and reparationsThe 1931 German moratorium and standstill agreements stemmed European collapse and will be built upon
0.351936Norman ThomasPublic ownership of major industriesThe New Deal 'has not worked'; build the cooperative commonwealth
0.351932Herbert HooverRegulation of banks and securitiesReform the banking laws; stop credit flowing to speculation; relieve depositors of closed banks
0.341936Franklin D. RooseveltHow to finance old-age and unemployment insurance (contributory reserve vs. pay-as-you-go)Defense of the payroll-tax financing: the employer pays an equal share and the reserves are safe
0.341932Franklin D. RooseveltReforestation and land policyEmploy a million men reforesting marginal and abandoned land
0.341932Franklin D. RooseveltRestriction of immigrationContinue immigration restriction to protect labor, but end abuses against individual families in enforcement
0.331932Herbert HooverRestriction of immigrationContinue the executive order practically prohibiting immigration except relatives of residents
0.331932Herbert HooverPublic employment officesCommend and continue the enlarged United States Employment Service
0.331932Norman ThomasIncome and inheritance tax progressivitySteeply increased income and inheritance taxes
0.331932Franklin D. RooseveltBalancing the federal budgetBalance the federal budget annually within revenues
0.331932Herbert HooverBalancing the federal budgetA balanced budget as 'the foundation of all public and private financial stability'
0.331932Franklin D. RooseveltInternational economic and monetary conferencesConvene international monetary and economic conferences to stabilize currencies and restore trade