Bridge to Far
The philosophy behind the New Deal remains one of the most vital, yet misunderstood, frameworks for a functioning society. At its heart, it was never meant to be a permanent crutch or a means of state control; it was designed as a bridge. By establishing the “3 Rs”—Relief, Recovery, and Reform—the objective was to provide a stable floor that allowed citizens the mobility to progress rather than remain stagnant in a state of crisis. This approach recognizes that while every person requires a helping hand at some point, the ultimate goal is the true freedom of moving on. To maintain a healthy economy, we must realize a fundamental truth: “If the goal of the system is to ensure stability so that the ‘wheels of industry’ keep turning, it logically follows that the same stability should be afforded to the individuals who actually drive those wheels.
However, the “bridge” must have clear boundaries. I do not believe in government or corporations taking our property, our living, or our lifestyle. When the system fails to provide a stable floor for its people while simultaneously bailing out massive entities through “corporate welfare,” it creates a vacuum that threatens personal ownership and self-determination. True reform requires us to protect both the dignity of the worker and the survival of the vulnerable—children, the elderly, and the disabled—without infringing on their right to a self-made life. We see this with the destruction of farmlands for solar project.
If we are willing to provide corporate welfare to ensure market stability without requiring the same “buy-in” from executives, it is only logical to provide that same level of commitment to the people. The “bridge” should be a path to independence, not a tool for encroachment. Ultimately, the true freedom of a nation is found in the ability of its citizens to move on from hardship and reach for a better life on their own terms, secure in the knowledge that their property and their way of life remain their own.
I would argue that hydrogen cars are the future not electric powered cars. A letter for another time.