“We have numerous plans for military destruction. But there is not even one plan for economic reconstruction at home, for economic alliances abroad. The results of this neglect have been disastrous. Our domestic economy suffers from high unemployment and soaring inflation; our trade balance is the worst in our history; free trade is threatened by waves of protectionism; we have become isolated from economically powerful allies; and we face the danger of a world divided into hostile trading blocs. As a consequence, our foreign economic policy needs a rescue operation.”
Our Quote of the Week sounds eerily familiar as the US continues to treat other nations and its own citizens as opponents, while ignoring the true needs of local communities.
This week’s quote is from Sargent Shriver’s 1972 vice presidential campaign speech, “The Quest for World Prosperity.” It is a speech we return to time and again for its importance and clarity. In the speech, Shriver focuses on the imbalances in domestic and foreign policies robbing Americans of a prosperous society. He lays out the extraordinary power of prosperity to benefit individuals as well as nations:
“Prosperity, like justice, liberates creativity. It gives hope and incentive. Men can raise their families decently and plan for the future. Prosperity with justice creates harmony between nations and removes the causes of war.”
He also lays out a vision for “economic reconstruction” that can benefit not just the country, but the international community:
“We must lose no time in developing a comprehensive economic policy -- a policy which must include:
- The expansion of our trade;
- Realistic new economic alliances with the European Common Market, Japan and other industrialized countries;
- Vigorous efforts to narrow the income gap between rich and poor nations;
- Cooperation in building a strong yet flexible world monetary policy;
- Most importantly, a full employment domestically, coupled with help to workers and businesses displaced by imports or conversion.”
We share these words as the US continues to take action in stark contrast to this vision for prosperity: while we hear about a weakening US job market, the White House continues to squander resources by planning to deploy the National Guard to US cities, all the while ignoring the relationship between poverty and crime. Meanwhile, anxiety over US-imposed tariffs continues to cause volatility and uncertainty for economies around the world, including our own, and collaboration and diplomacy fall by the wayside.
It is up to us to insist on a vision for society that unleashes individuals’ creativity, creates opportunity, fosters peace, and in which everyone can prosper.
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