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Ulysses Grant Vogan wrote a "Hudibrastic" poem about Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. FDR starred as Hudibras, much like Samuel Butler's mock hero. Vogan placed prominent members of the government in his poem which was published in 1939 and gave them supporting roles for the "New Deal."
This poem follows in the footsteps of a number of others that focused attention on political establishments. In Samuel Butler's Hudibras, the main character was attempting to gain recognition for political groups following Oliver Cromwell's failed attempt to remove the Crown as the ruling government. Jumping forward to 1802, Thomas Green Fessenden ridiculed Thomas Jefferson. Others have succeeded in continuing the practice in different times and places, but perhaps none have done it so well as Vogan who he had an ideal politician in the substance of FDR. The only thing missing is attention to Eleanor who was the ventriloquist and facile puller of strings behind FDR's back.
The satire is biting but unfortunately, with passage of time, the identity of the individuals fade and much of the poignance is lost.
Because much of the Democrat administration's focus was on the economy and beating up on Herbert Hoover (which continues today), the following selection from part three seems as appropriate today as it was then.
"My New Deal child read all the comics,
So got his start in economics;
When want and debt made scenes so tragic,
He taught me economic magic;
Some clever tricks, and one of which is
To spend our way from debt to riches.
Another rule, as I adjudge it,
Is how to plan a nation's budget:
First, count the cash you haven't got,
Then borrow twice the total lot,
And spend that sum each fiscal year,
For which no audit should appear;
Then add these billions in a row,
From what you have, take what you owe;
Then change your minus to plus,
And get your budget balance thus,
Now, him that sneeringly may say
The budget can't be planned that way,
I'll put upon my banished list
As Economic Royalist."
Of course, it's not a brilliant showing,
The way the deficits are growing,
But then we'll shout it, strong and healthy,
To pay the debt, we'll tax the wealthy.
Of course, we know �tis truly said
That taxes over all are spread;
And, while this axiom we know,
We always say that soft and low;
And, �round elections in the Fall,
We never mention it at all."
Ulysses Grant Vogan penned the above as a "quote" from FDR, but, it could just as likely be said by most politicians of today. There's no reason to pen the tail on the donkey, the elephant has just as many droppings to be accounted for.
I need help! The book of poems from the New Deal era mentions several persons by first names. Can you help connect the names to the people- events?
"Two Henrys"(?)
One of the Henrys was from the West (maybe Wallace?)
Harold probably Harold Ickes (?)
Perhaps "Hal" and Harold are the same - he wanted FDR's job.
Harry (?)
Tom (?)
Bennie (?)
Jim (?) Called jovial Jim (Garner (?)
Jim was also in the Post Office department with something to do with issuing a multitude of stamps.
Marriner (the banker) (?)
Bob (?) Apparently debated with Harold
Robert (trust buster), perhaps Bob above.
Harry ("genius of the nation's dole")
Bernard Baruch (was he really FDR's friend?)
"Secretary Roper" (?)
Dan (?)
"Mr. Farley (?)
"Director Jones" (?) Perhaps in an organization called "HDA"
Adolph (Probably Hitler)
Comrade Joe (Probably Stalin)
Ben (?) Maybe English PM (?)
"Cactus Jack" (Is this Garner?)
Dewey
Macauley
Hopkins (of Harry Hopkins' dole(?))
Gruffy (of Gruffy Coal)
Corcoran
Cohen
These are the names sprinkled through the poem titled, "A modern Hudibras, The New Deal in Rime."
Sure makes you aware of how much we have forgotten (or never knew)..
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