Explain that many persons, when confronted with the same question, named Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Democrat, 1933-1945) to that list. Explain that the nation was caught in the grip of the Great Depression when he became President and that the previous President had done little to use the power of the Federal Government to alleviate citizens’ suffering. Until the Great Depression of the 1930’s there were practically no federal social programs. Families, churches and private charities took on the responsibility of caring for those who were poor, old or homeless. By the 1930’s many states took some responsibility for the needy, orphans, the blind and the homeless. The Great Depression changed this situation when people who had worked hard all their lives were suddenly faced with economic ruin. Roosevelt launched many new programs to help the poor, including Social Security which set up a retirement plan and the program for unemployment compensation.

In the 1960’s, President Kennedy proposed and President Johnson established a “war on poverty” which started or expanded many federal social programs. Some programs gave direct aid while others aimed at preventing poverty. Federal aid went to education, public-housing programs, job training, mass transit and community development.

In the 1980’s a major shift occurred when Ronald Reagan cut back funds for most public assistance programs. His policy aimed to provide a “safety net” that would give benefits only to the poorest of the poor. Eligibility rules were tightened, eliminating many of the working poor from welfare programs and reducing benefits for others.

Distribute Franklin Roosevelt’s Address before the Conference on Mobilization for Human Needs (Handout One). Read the speech together as a whole group and discuss the following questions:

When problems arose in a community, who did President Roosevelt believe had the first responsibility to try to solve the problem or come to the community’s aid? The President believed it was the responsibility of the local community through their churches, the community chest (United Way), and social and charitable organizations in the community.

When citizens and their organizations cannot solve the problem, who is next in line to come to their aid? The local government should step to the aid of the citizens and do their utmost. After that the state must step in and do its utmost.

When is it necessary for the Federal Government to step in? If the State has done everything it reasonably should do, then the Federal Government must step in, because, while it isn’t written in the Constitution, it is the inherent duty of the Federal Government to keep its citizens from starvation.

Why did President Roosevelt feel that everyone, without exception, had to help solve the problem? (He believed that if everyone cooperated and contributed to “get the train rolling,” this would prompt greater and greater improvement. He believed the problem was so large that no one could be exempt from contributing to the solution.)

Distribute Ronald Reagan on Government and Solving National Problems (Handout Two). Read the speech together as a whole group and discuss the following questions:

What did President Reagan believe was the source of problems confronting the nation? He felt that people’s belief that the Federal Government has the answer to all problems caused problems. He was also concerned that people believed that the proper method for dealing with social problems was to transfer power from the private to the public sector, and within the public sector from state and local governments to Washington .

What did President Reagan believe was causing the country’s economic problems? He blamed high taxes, deficit spending, and the belief that society is too complex to be managed by its citizens, but needs an elite group to run the government.

Where did President Reagan believe true power resided in government? It was his intention to curb the size and influence of the Federal Government and distinguish between the powers granted to the Federal Government and those reserved to the states or to the people.