President Roosevelt's New Deal: Criticism

Critics of the New Deal The New Deal aroused criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. The right criticized it for not being extremely socialist. Meanwhile, the left believed it was not liberal enough. Before the New Deal, the government did not intervene with the economy massively. The conservatives were supporters of such concept because they believed in the laissez-faire economics. Nonetheless, when president Roosevelt proposed the New deal, they felt the president was aiming to impel the nation towards a socialist and centrally-planned economy. On the left, critics felt that the New Deal was not enough. They believed the government had to do more to help the less-fortunate ones. Further, the New Deal was concurrently attacked
Thomas was the president of the Socialist Party and he hoped that the New Deal would transition to a helping hand for the population, but he hoped that it would be Socialism, not Fascism or Communism. He attacked the New Deal for failing to aid the most economically depressed individuals, such as sharecroppers. Therefore, he assisted in organizing the Southern Tenant Farmers Union. “It is necessary that at least the key industries be taken over under a concerted plan.” (Document B) Norman acknowledged that the economic conditions will not become better unless the key industries such as agricultural are receiving aid excessively. Key industries like manufacturing and agricultural are the bones of nation’s economy, therefore, they require intensive assistance from the government to help the economic crisis. In addition to the TVA which critics believed was unequal. Further, the TVA only helped few states and not the whole nation. Moreover, critics believed that everyone should benefit from
Coughlin, a Catholic priest. He had a radio show that attracted numerous amount of listeners. He agreed with Roosevelt at first. Nevertheless, he eventually thought Roosevelt was not doing enough to fight the depression. For example, the Agricultural Adjustment Act which was unconstitutional because the state paid subsidies for farmers to not plant on part of their land to kill off excess livestock. Further, Roosevelt believed creating demand would assist in boosting the economy. Coughlin onced voiced his opinion about this matter in a speech in 1938, he stated “Nineteen… the AAA which raised the price of foodstuffs, by throwing back God’s best gifts in his face.” (Document D) The God’s gifts he is referring to would be the farm animals that were killed. Coughlin also believed that all the tools of the New deal only benefited the wealthy people. “Nineteen… the Banking Act which rewarded the exploiters of the poor, the Federal Reserve bankers and their associates, by handing over to them the temple from which they were to have been cast.” (Document D) Moreover, the wealthy individuals always rip off the needy