The Hundred Days And The Hundred Hours




This week saw the swearing in of the
new Congress and the New Speaker,
Nancy Pelosi. Tuesday sees the official
beginning of the 'Hundred Hours', a
Democratic Party pledge towards swift
action on a number of the issues that
require urgent attention.














In March 1932, when FDR took office he embarked on an ambitious program, The Hundred Days, not just to establish the New Deal, but also because he recognized the need for government to show leadership and stability in what where perilous times.

















They were desperate times. Drought was just beginning to hit the mid west. Violent strikes had hit many sectors, especially hard in the coal mines where virtual indentured labor conditions existed. The Bonus Marcher's had been harshly dispersed ( in a glimpse into the future Douglas MacCarthur had used extreme violence ,in a direct contravention of his orders from Hoover- not the last time he would do so. Nonetheless the blame is Hoover's and part of his legacy), millions of unemployed men and woman roamed the countryside and haunted the cities in search of employment. Factories were silent and banks were collapsing. Things were so close to the edge that when someone asked FDR if he feared being the worst ever President he replied that he was more concerned with being the last one.

Accordingly, Roosevelt felt that swift, visible action was required. Speaker Pelosi has it right. There is a breakdown in faith in government ( we are however, nowhere near the same state of crisis!) and people need to see Government work---effectivly and on their behalf. The Democratic agenda is ambitious, but not overly so. It is achievable and when that is done the foundation for further accomplishment's will be laid. FDR's was very ambitious, and considering the times verged on the revolutionary. His inauguration on March 4 1932 was followed immediatly by the commencement of the Hundred Days. First came, on March 9, the Emergancy Banking Act. On 19 June came National Industry Recovery Act (NIRA). In between was alphabet city--- the CCC, The Agricultural Adjustment Administration, the TVA, CWA (Civil Works Administration--later the WPA, then the PWA) and the NRA, amongst others. Some were succesful, indeed, changed the face of the country ( the Manhatten Project would not have been possible without the TVA ). The CCC built many things that people today see every day-- and do not know their origin ( the CCC is worth a post of it's own at a later date.) The NRA- National Recovery Act- later brought down by the Supreme Court ( Court Pack in '37 is another post coming soon!) has been the subject of debate and if it didn't fulfill all it's promise performed many important functions, not the least of which was giving hope where none existed.

Regardless of their success all were met with vehement opposition from
the defenders of the status quo, just
as the Democrats 100 hour agenda will be. The strategy is sound and with perseverance will prevail--- and provide the base for continuing benefits. Just as FDR's 100 Days
forever left a mark, todays Democratic
Party can do the same.

And good things may happen.