The Not So Great Society

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Social and economic justice was born this week in 1884 with the birth of the Fabian Society.  To learn more about that, be sure to read my “Surfin’ Safari” column tonight at WorldNetDaily.

Also in this week’s column, the history section — The Time Capsule — notes that this week marks the 46th anniversary of Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1965 State of the Union address in which he laid out his plan for the Great Society.

We see that these social programs have LEFT us mired in socialism and debt. 

Did anyone in the 89th Congress — or America — ever ask the essential question: are these programs Constitutional?

Are we going to allow the 112th Congress to act similarly?

A NATIONAL AGENDA

I propose that we begin a program in education to ensure every American child the fullest development of his mind and skills.
THE FEDS GET CONTROL OF OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS:

• ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT
• HEAD START
• HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965
• TEACHER CORPS
• BILINGUAL EDUCATION ACT

I propose that we begin a massive attack on crippling and killing diseases.
THE BEGINNING OF SOCIALIZED MEDICINE:

• SOCIAL SECURITY ACT OF 1965
• MEDICARE
• CIGARETTE LABELING ACT OF 1965

I propose that we launch a national effort to make the American city a better and a more stimulating place to live.

• MODEL CITIES PROGRAM
• FEDERAL BLOCK GRANTS

I propose that we increase the beauty of America and end the poisoning of our rivers and the air that we breathe.

• * Clear Air, Water Quality and Clean Water Restoration Acts and Amendments
• * Wilderness Act of 1964,
• * Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966,
• * National Trails System Act of 1968,
• * Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968,
• * Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965,
• * Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965,
• * Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Act of 1965,
• * National Historic Preservation Act of 1966,
• * Aircraft Noise Abatement Act of 1968, and
• * National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
• * Lady Bird Johnson’s pet project, “The Beautification of America”

I propose that we carry out a new program to develop regions of our country that are now suffering from distress and depression.

• CIVIL RIGHTS ACT AND WAR ON POVERTY
• ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 1964
• OFFICE OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
• FOOD STAMPS PROGRAM
• COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM & AGENCIES

I propose that we make new efforts to control and prevent crime and delinquency.

• NEIGHBORHOOD YOUTH CORPS
• JOB CORPS
• VISTA
• UPWARD BOUND
• PROJECT HEAD START

I propose that we eliminate every remaining obstacle to the right and the opportunity to vote.

• VOTING RIGHTS ACT 1965

I propose that we honor and support the achievements of thought and the creations of art.

• NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
• NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES
• PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEM
• NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO
• CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
• JFK CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
• HIRSHHORN MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDEN

I propose that we make an all-out campaign against waste and inefficiency.

• ESTABLISHED DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION
• HIGHWAY SAFETY ACT
• URBAN MASS TRANSPORTATION ACT
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT
• FAIR PACKAGING & LABELING ACT
• WHOLESOME MEAT ACT
• TRUTH IN LENDING ACT
• WHOLESALE POULTRY PRODUCTS ACT
• LAND SALES DISCLOSURE ACT
• RADIATION SAFETY ACT
• CHILD SAFETY ACT
• FLAMMABLE FABRICS ACT