I continue to be struck by the parallels between the current era—with oligarchs dominating our culture and politics, and foreign powers (and forces within our nation) assaulting democracy itself—with the dire situation Franklin Roosevelt inherited in 1932.
So, I asked Perplexity (an AI search engine) to draw on the words FDR used in his own speeches to lay out how he might confront the challenges we face at the moment (and made a few edits of my own):
“My fellow Americans,
Today, we stand at a crossroads in our nation's history, much as we did nearly a century ago. The challenges we face are different, yet the spirit of our nation remains unchanged. We are still a people of courage, of resilience, and of unwavering hope.
As we gather here today, I am reminded of the words I spoke in 1933: “This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly." That sentiment rings as true today as it did then. We face a world in flux, with challenges that test the very foundations of our democracy and our place on the global stage.
Let me assert, with the same conviction I held in equally dark times, that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Fear of change, fear of the unknown, fear of each other – these are the true enemies of progress. We must cast aside this nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert division into unity and retreat into advance.
The State of Our Union
Our nation has weathered storms before, and we will weather this one.
The Great Depression tested our resolve, World War II challenged our courage, and the decades since have brought their own trials. Yet, through it all, the American spirit has endured.
We find ourselves now in a period of supreme test – a test of our courage, our resolve, our wisdom, and our essential democracy. Of the bonds of our nation itself.
The challenges we face are multifaceted:
Economic inequality that tears at the fabric of our society.
Climate change that imperils our planet and our future.
Technological advancements that outpace our ability to regulate and understand them.
Global tensions that remind us of the fragility of peace, justice and the rule of law.
But as I said in 1945, “The great fact to remember is that the trend of civilization itself is forever upward; that a line drawn through the middle of the peaks and the valleys of the centuries always has an upward trend."
A Call to Action
The nation asks for action, and action now. We cannot be content with simply maintaining the status quo, let alone allowing more backsliding.
We must strive for progress, for innovation, for a better tomorrow for all Americans.
To address economic inequality, we must revisit the principles of the New Deal, adapting them for the 21st century. We need a new social contract that ensures every American has access to quality healthcare, education, and economic opportunity.
To combat climate change, we must harness the same ingenuity and determination that allowed us to overcome the Great Depression and triumph in World War II. We will invest in clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and green technologies that will not only save our planet but create millions of new jobs.
In the face of rapid technological change, we must ensure that innovation serves humanity, not the other way around. We will establish new frameworks for privacy, data protection, and ethical AI development, positioning America as a leader in responsible technological advancement.
And in our dealings with the world, we will remember the lessons of history. As I said in my fourth inaugural address, "We have learned that we cannot live alone, at peace; that our own well-being is dependent on the well-being of other nations far away." We will engage with the world not from a place of fear or suspicion, but with the understanding, confidence, and courage which flow from conviction.
The Greatest Threat
Let me take a moment to address one particular challenge that threatens the very foundation of our democracy.
A concentration of private power, unprecedented in our history, is growing unchecked. This concentration is not only impairing our economic effectiveness but also jeopardizing the essence of our democratic society.
We must remember that democracy is not safe if we tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than our democratic state itself. This, in its essence, is the seed of fascism - the ownership of government by an individual, a group, or any other controlling private power.
Our nation was built on the principle that power should rest in the hands of the people, not in the coffers of a privileged few. Yet today, we see a small group of individuals and corporations wielding influence that rivals, and too often surpasses, that of our elected officials.
This concentration of power threatens not only our political system but also our economic well-being. When a handful of entities control vast swaths of our economy, they stifle competition, suppress wages, and limit opportunities for small businesses and ordinary Americans.
To address this growing threat, we must act decisively. We must strengthen our antitrust laws and enforce them vigorously. We must ensure that our tax system is fair and that everyone, including the wealthiest among us, pays their fair share.
We must also reinvigorate our democratic institutions. This means protecting voting rights, reducing the influence of money in politics, and ensuring that our government works for all Americans, not just the privileged few.
Together, we can reclaim our democracy from the grip of oligarchy. We can build an economy that works for all, not just the few. And we can ensure that the promise of America - of liberty, equality, and opportunity - remains alive for generations to come.
The American Spirit
My fellow Americans, the task before us is great, but so is our capacity to meet it. In every dark hour of our national life, a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.
We do not distrust the future of essential democracy. The people of the United States have not failed. In their need, they have registered a mandate that they want direct, vigorous action. They have asked for discipline and direction under leadership.
They have made me the present instrument of their wishes. In the spirit of the gift I accept it.
Let us move forward with the warm courage of national unity, with the clear consciousness of seeking old and precious moral values, with the clean satisfaction that comes from the stern performance of duty by old and young alike.
A Global Perspective
We live in an interconnected world, where the actions of one nation ripple across continents. As we faced the threat of fascism in the 1940s, today we face challenges that know no borders – climate change, economic instability, calcifying inequality, deep corruption, and the spread of misinformation and division.
We have learned to be citizens of the world, members of the human community. This understanding must guide our actions, both domestically and internationally. We will strengthen our alliances, engage in fair and mutually beneficial trade, and lead by example in upholding the values of democracy, integrity and human rights.
As I said following the attack on Pearl Harbor, "With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph." Today, our 'armed forces' include not just our military, but our scientists, our educators, our innovators, and every citizen committed to the betterment of our nation and our world.
The Road Ahead
The path before us is not easy, but the American people have never shied away from a challenge. We are not a nation that retreats in the face of adversity; we are a nation that rises to meet it.
We shall strive for perfection. We shall not achieve it immediately—but we still shall strive. We may make mistakes—but they must never be mistakes which result from faintness of heart or abandonment of moral principle.
Our Constitution, the bedrock of our democracy, was not a perfect instrument when it was created, and it is not perfect yet. But it provided a firm base upon which all manner of men, of all races and colors and creeds, could build our solid structure of democracy. We must continue to build upon this foundation, ensuring that the promise of America is accessible to all.
My fellow Americans, as we embark on this new chapter in our nation's history, let us carry with us the lessons of the past and the hopes for the future. Let us remember that, as Emerson said, "The only way to have a friend is to be one." This applies not just to our personal relationships, but to our relationship as fellow Americans, and with the world.
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward, together, with strong and active faith.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.”
Day 50 — January 49, 2024
On Inauguration Eve, yet another sign of a massive social media channel aligning with Donald Trump to serve their mutual interests.
This episode was every bit as egregious as developments with Twitter and Facebook, with TikTok (and, we must assume, the Chinese government)…
1) going along with the headfake of shutting down early (even as Biden had said he would not enforce the shutdown)…
and 2) only to re-open hours later, and explicitly crediting Donald Trump:
No coincidence, TikTok’s CEO will be Trump’s guest at today’s inauguration.
To make matters worse, it looks as if Trump’s long-term plan is to maneuver to get TikTok into, as he calls it, “good hands”—with the US government also getting a 50% stake:
A massive social media channel in a Trump government’s hands, with his private allies also involved?
Disaster.
Friends, this will be a week of “shock and awe.” I will do my best to keep up with all they try and throw forward, beginning today.
Stay resolute.
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