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| Source:Ben Norton- Teddy Roosevelt's: definition of a Conservative? |
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt (October 27, 1858 January 6, 1919) was the 26th President of the United States. Well know for his famous quotes. He is well remembered for his energetic personality, range of interests and achievements, leadership of the Progressive Movement, model of masculinity, and his "cowboy" image. He was a leader of the Republican Party and founder of the short-lived Progressive ("Bull Moose") Party of 1912. Before becoming President (19011909) he held offices at the municipal, state, and federal level of government. Roosevelt's achievements as a naturalist, explorer, hunter, author, and soldier are as much a part of his fame as any office he held as a politician."
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| Source:Wiley Studios- Some of Teddy Roosevelt's quotes |
What I get from this Teddy Roosevelt quote about being a Conservative, is that he intended to conserve private corporations and leave them place and even protect their rights, but in the interests of the people. That for-profit corporations aren't there simply to make as much money for themselves at all costs and be able to do anything that they want at call costs, that what they're doing has to benefit the people as well. That corporations are part of the American community and therefor have both rights and responsibilities to the country as well.
Teddy Roosevelt, wasn't an Ayn Laissez Faire capitalist when it came to economic policy. And he wasn't a Eugene Debs. ( one of the prominent Socialist in TR's time ) either. Teddy Roosevelt, was a Progressive Republican ( I know that sounds funny today ) who believed in American capitalism, private enterprise, and individualism, but that those things should be for everyone. Not just people who are born to wealth and that everyone should have an opportunity to succeed in America and that government, including the Federal Government has a responsibility to see that everyone has a shot to make it in America.
Teddy Roosevelt, didn't believe in high taxation ( at least not across the board ) and he didn't believe that everyone should be guaranteed a middle class income. But he did believe everyone should have a good shot and opportunity to be successful in America. And that government had real responsibilities in seeing that everyone did have those opportunities. Like has it to the regulatory states to protect consumers and workers from predators. A public safety net for people who fall on hard times. A public infrastructure system so people can get around and so jobs can be created in this country. And believed that being a Conservative was about conserving our American values like capitalism, private enterprise, individualism, but that those things had to work for everyone, not just wealthy people.
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