by Sennholz
[Introduction: The Concept of the Great Society]: Hans Sennholz introduces President Lyndon B. Johnson's 'Great Society' as a continuation of previous interventionist programs like the New Deal and Fair Deal. He argues that the program is a collection of old ideological schemes rebranded with a new slogan, promising a utopian society free from want and war through massive federal spending and task force recommendations. [Section I: Federal Aid to Education and Moral Fiber]: Sennholz critiques the proposed $1.5 billion federal investment in education, arguing that the opportunity for higher education already exists through private means and student loans. He contends that providing cost-free education damages the moral character of youth by removing the necessity of personal effort and financial contribution. [Section II: Medicare and the Socialization of Medicine]: The author examines the introduction of Medicare under Social Security, contrasting it with the successes of individual enterprise in medical science. He argues that government intervention will lead to second-rate care, long waiting lists, and the destruction of the doctor-patient relationship while conditioning the public for an omnipotent state. [Section III: The War on Poverty and Labor Costs]: Sennholz argues that the 'War on Poverty' and associated labor legislation, such as raising the minimum wage and outlawing Right-to-Work laws, will actually increase poverty by raising business costs. He posits that unemployment is a cost phenomenon where workers are priced out of the market when their costs exceed their productive usefulness. [Section IV: Farm Intervention and Bureaucratic Failure]: This section details the failure of federal farm intervention programs since 1929, noting that despite billions in spending, the farm population continues to decline. Sennholz critiques the massive bureaucracy that enforces artificial prices and restrictions, which he claims hurts the very small farmers it intends to save. [Section V: Urban Renewal and Property Rights]: Using Milwaukee as an example, Sennholz describes urban renewal as a destructive force that undermines private property rights and displaces residents, particularly racial minorities. He views the program as a morally and economically objectionable redistribution of land that benefits developers at the expense of the community. [Section VI: Foreign Policy and the Vietnam Conflict]: Sennholz critiques the Johnson Administration's handling of the Vietnam War, characterizing it as a 'futile war' resulting from a 'no-win policy.' He argues that while the Great Society focuses on domestic spending, it ignores the strategic necessity of victory against Communism and risks a military disaster similar to a 'Vietnamese Dunkirk.' [Section VII: The Dollar Crisis and Monetary Inflation]: The author warns of an impending dollar collapse due to years of monetary expansion and gold outflows. He argues that the 'Great Society's' spending will accelerate gold losses, eventually leading to an irredeemable paper currency, price increases, and the imposition of militant socialism through comprehensive economic controls. [Section VIII: Radicalism and the Civil Rights Revolution]: Sennholz discusses the radical social and economic demands within the civil rights movement, which he views as a push toward central planning and socialism. He warns that the combination of racial upheaval and economic calamity caused by Great Society policies could spark a full-scale social revolution. [Cracker Barrel: Commentary and Quotes]: A collection of short anecdotal commentaries and quotes by Jack Moffitt under the 'Cracker Barrel' heading. It touches on the absurdity of planning to feed the world, the slow progress of the war in Vietnam, and the importance of duty and hard living as expressed by Theodore Roosevelt.
Hans Sennholz introduces President Lyndon B. Johnson's 'Great Society' as a continuation of previous interventionist programs like the New Deal and Fair Deal. He argues that the program is a collection of old ideological schemes rebranded with a new slogan, promising a utopian society free from want and war through massive federal spending and task force recommendations.
Read full textSennholz critiques the proposed $1.5 billion federal investment in education, arguing that the opportunity for higher education already exists through private means and student loans. He contends that providing cost-free education damages the moral character of youth by removing the necessity of personal effort and financial contribution.
Read full textThe author examines the introduction of Medicare under Social Security, contrasting it with the successes of individual enterprise in medical science. He argues that government intervention will lead to second-rate care, long waiting lists, and the destruction of the doctor-patient relationship while conditioning the public for an omnipotent state.
Read full textSennholz argues that the 'War on Poverty' and associated labor legislation, such as raising the minimum wage and outlawing Right-to-Work laws, will actually increase poverty by raising business costs. He posits that unemployment is a cost phenomenon where workers are priced out of the market when their costs exceed their productive usefulness.
Read full textThis section details the failure of federal farm intervention programs since 1929, noting that despite billions in spending, the farm population continues to decline. Sennholz critiques the massive bureaucracy that enforces artificial prices and restrictions, which he claims hurts the very small farmers it intends to save.
Read full textUsing Milwaukee as an example, Sennholz describes urban renewal as a destructive force that undermines private property rights and displaces residents, particularly racial minorities. He views the program as a morally and economically objectionable redistribution of land that benefits developers at the expense of the community.
Read full textSennholz critiques the Johnson Administration's handling of the Vietnam War, characterizing it as a 'futile war' resulting from a 'no-win policy.' He argues that while the Great Society focuses on domestic spending, it ignores the strategic necessity of victory against Communism and risks a military disaster similar to a 'Vietnamese Dunkirk.'
Read full textThe author warns of an impending dollar collapse due to years of monetary expansion and gold outflows. He argues that the 'Great Society's' spending will accelerate gold losses, eventually leading to an irredeemable paper currency, price increases, and the imposition of militant socialism through comprehensive economic controls.
Read full textSennholz discusses the radical social and economic demands within the civil rights movement, which he views as a push toward central planning and socialism. He warns that the combination of racial upheaval and economic calamity caused by Great Society policies could spark a full-scale social revolution.
Read full textA collection of short anecdotal commentaries and quotes by Jack Moffitt under the 'Cracker Barrel' heading. It touches on the absurdity of planning to feed the world, the slow progress of the war in Vietnam, and the importance of duty and hard living as expressed by Theodore Roosevelt.
Read full text