Ms. Casserly
Ap US research paper
Due: December 21, 2012
Influential Americans in Politics
In the United States’ history, many of our presidents excelled in making this country a better place. Although they may be the head of this nation, they were not always the ones who made major impacts. Governors, senators, abolitionists and congressman all helped change this country and make it what it is today. Past senators Huey Long, Salmon Chase, and William Seward in particular helped change this great nation for the good. They all somewhat had the same view politically and had similar goals.
All three of these men were very much for equal rights for all people. Huey Long was no exception to this. Long truly believed that the government should protect, enrich, and improve conditions to its most exposed citizens; the poor and the stereotyped regardless of their race or class.
Huey Pierce Long, Jr. was born August 30th, 1893. He served as the 40th Governor of Louisiana (from 1928–1932) and as a U.S. Senator (from 1932 to 1935). Long was a powerful democrat and was known for his radical populist policies. He fought tooth and nail against the rich and many opponents labeled him as a defiant, oppositional, and a maverick. He established the “Share Our Wealth” program – its motto "Every Man a King" and with this he earned the title ‘Kingfish’ or ‘The Kingfish’.
“I 'm for the poor man — all poor men, black and white, they all gotta’ have a chance. They gotta’ have a home, a job, and a decent education for their children. 'Every man a king ' — that 's my slogan."
— Huey Long (T. Harry Williams, Huey Long, p. 706)
In a national radio address on February 23, 1934, Huey Long revealed his “Share Our Wealth” program. This program was designed to provide a decent living standard to all Americans by spreading the nation’s wealth among the people. In his proposal, he stated that a person’s fortune is to be stopped at $50 million (approximately $600