Herbert Hoover came from an interesting background. An engineer and businessman, he became a millionaire.
His business acumen was recognized. He was called upon to help when others were in trouble.
Europe was devastated following World War I. Food especially was a problem. Hoover was asked to head up a massive relief effort to save the European masses from starvation. He did. His was a gigantic humanitarian effort. He went after the necessary monies, found the food supplies, and got them to those in need.
He devised appealing gimmicks to get the American people to cooperate in the effort. Things like Meatless Mondays and Wheatless Wednesdays. The term Hooverize came into being. It meant going with less so that others might be helped. Hoover "Hooverized" the American people, big and small alike.
Hoover was touted as Presidential material. Even Franklin Delano Roosevelt recognized Hoover's Presidential capabilities. In 1919, Roosevelt said Hoover is "...a wonder and I wish we could make him President." Thirteen years later Roosevelt would defeat Hoover in a Presidential election.
Hoover had little time to enjoy his Presidency. Within one year, the crash of 1929 occurred. World wide. Worse than the economic problems we are experiencing today.
Initially, America thought the right man was in the White House. Hoover had fed millions and saved Europe a little more than a decade earlier. He was being called upon again to be a savior, a humanitarian.
Hoover did not react as anticipated. He did not help. He was philosophically opposed to government handouts. His description. He would create no entitlements to help the people.
Time to place everything in perspective.
Shanty towns developed. They housed the poor. They became known as Hoovervilles. Similar to today's homeless. Some of whom live under bridges and in mangroves.
Newspapers were in vogue. People wrapped newspapers around themselves to keep warm. Hoover blankets they were called. The cardboard boxes people wrap themselves in today to keep warm.
Food. There was an insufficient supply. What there was, few could afford. Thin gruel and soup kitchens became popular. The meal was known as Hoover soup. The Today's church kitchens and street begging.
The Hoovervilles, Hoover blankets and Hoover soup are not terms of my making. They are the names the people of America subscribed to their way of life during Hoover's years in office.
America was perplexed. How could this successful and wealthy fellow citizen known for his generosity fail them when they were in need. People were depressed.They could not understand the poverty they were experiencing. Moreover, they could not understand how their President was opposed to government handouts. Handouts that they viewed as assistance in their time of need.
Hoover lasted one term. Roosevelt handily defeated him.
Roosevelt immediately went to work to help his fellow Americans. He made the government step in. He devised programs and had laws passed to provide immediate assistance. Federally funded work projects and financial plans to assist were born. The banks were closed, reconfigured and reopened. The government became involved. Roosevelt's government helped people. Help that was not considered a handout. Roosevelt viewed government as a tool to assist its peoples in time of need.
The age of entitlements was born.
Today, the United States is at a cross road. The very purpose of government is being questioned. Reanalyzed. This year's Presidential candidates present opposite ends of the spectrum as to the issue. More so than ever before. One of the candidates has a background and philosophical mind set similar to Hoover's. The American people have to decide how they want to live.
Are we our bothers' keepers? Or, do we turn our backs on those less fortunate?
We the people will decide by our votes in November.
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