Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1954 letter to his brother Edgar

[democracy1st]

Document #1147; November 8, 1954
To Edgar Newton Eisenhower
Series: EM, AWF, Name Series ; Category: Personal and confidential

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The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XV - The Presidency: The Middle Way
Part VI: Crises Abroad, Party Problems at Home; September 1954 to December 1954
Chapter 13: "A new phase of political experience"


Dear Ed:1 I think that such answer as I can give to your letter of November first will be arranged in reverse order--at least I shall comment first on your final paragraph.

You keep harping on the Constitution; I should like to point out that the meaning of the Constitution is what the Supreme Court says it is. Consequently no powers are exercised by the Federal government except where such exercise is approved by the Supreme Court (lawyers) of the land.2



Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things. Among them are H. L. Hunt (you possibly know his background), a few other Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or business man from other areas.5 Their number is negligible and they are stupid.



No matter what the party is in power, it must perforce follow a program that is related to these general purposes and aspirations. But the great difference is in how it is done and, particularly, in the results achieved.

A year ago last January we were in imminent danger of losing Iran, and sixty percent of the known oil reserves of the world.7 You may have forgotten this. Lots of people have. But there has been no greater threat that has in recent years overhung the free world. That threat has been largely, if not totally, removed. I could name at least a half dozen other spots of the same character.


http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/first-term/documents/1147.cfm

[elleng]

1. Very interesting!

So his brother Edgar thought he was off base!

[JI7]

2. he would have been a vocal opponent of Bush

his son endorsed Kerry in 2004. and i don't think Ike was big on his vp Nixon either.

[liberal N proud]

3. I have this quote from that letter posted on my office wall

"Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things. Among them are H. L. Hunt (you possibly know his background), a few other Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or business man from other areas.5 Their number is negligible and they are stupid."


It has been there since bu$h started to attack Social Security to remind me and those who care to discuss the subject where I stand.

[underpants]

5. Ike seems to be the guy from the outside that was trusted and allowed in

and he reported back out on this (that quote) and the famous "military industrial complex" speech

Ike assumed here that there would always be a vibrant and effective journalism industry and an informed (not DISinformed) and highly involved public. We don't have that anymore.

[sce56]

4. No time to look right now but what did he really know about Iran? The CIA coup against the President

and the installation of the Shaw! Seems he was under the impression it was the right thing to do overthrow the Democratically elected leader or Iran and put in a dictator that eventually led to the Islamic extremist taking charge in 1979!
"A year ago last January we were in imminent danger of losing Iran, and sixty percent of the known oil reserves of the world.7 You may have forgotten this. Lots of people have. But there has been no greater threat that has in recent years overhung the free world. That threat has been largely, if not totally, removed. I could name at least a half dozen other spots of the same character. "

[underpants]

6. democracy1st-if I could add in another important letter of the distant past

Lewis Powell's memo to the US Chamber of Commerce in 1971
http://reclaimdemocracy.org/corporate_accountability/powell_memo_lewis.html

[democracy1st]

10. thanks underpants appreciate the link

:toast:

[KoKo]

7. K&R...some good links in this post and thread. n/t

[yurbud]

8. the part on Iran is an ironic counterpoint to the paragraph on the stupid oil men

They didn't snooker him on domestic policy, but they did on foreign policy.

[DeepModem Mom]

9. K&R