LAD #33: FDR's First Inaugural

Orating his first inaugural, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt recognized that his presidency would be defined by how he copes with the perilous journey through the economic depression. Despite its looming, FDR had no intentions of "sugar coating" the extent of the depression -- he was just going to tell it as it was.  Speaking one of the most famous lines ever uttered by a United States President, FDR stood resolute on his "firm belief" that "the only thing [America had] to fear was fear itself."  This was the hope that epitomized his first inaugural that became prevalent in his presidency as well.  Not only exceedingly hopeful, the United States' leader was a realist who also noticed the tough times thrust upon the common man and the economy.  He noticed that the farmers had no where to turn, families had no money to spend, the industrial corporations had no trade to effectively pursue, and the supreme belief of lost hope spreading throughout the nation.  Whilst setting no blame upon anyone, he did not leave the unethical practices unnoticed.  Instead, FDR constituted that the belief and ethics of society needed to shift away from the egotistical and narcissistic greed back towards the benefit of the many and spread of wealth.  His other efforts of relief included redistributing the nation's population from the overcrowded cities back to the agricultural ways of the past.  Leaving no stone left unturned, Roosevelt acknowledged the troubles at the hearth of human society and promised to cure these homely ills before any foreign policies would even be considered.  Ending his first inaugural, FDR developed his policy of self-sacrifice and collect action; the ideal that working together would rekindle the true American spirit that needed to be rejuvenated.  It is with confidence that Roosevelt ends his address, looking out toward the future with a pragmatic sense of optimism about the years to come.