The speech reached millions of Americans, many of them mired in poverty, and promised to take money from the wealthy to provide every family a sufficient income to buy a house, a car and a radio. No, the speaker wasn't from Obama nor from Franklin Roosevelt. Senator Huey Long outlined his "Share our Wealth" program. in a 30 minute speech February 23, 1934.
Under this program the wealthy would be allowed 5 million dollars, the remainder would be confiscated and distributed. Millions of people joined Share our wealth clubs and millions wrote letters in support. It is widely believed that Roosevelt added New Deal programs in response to Long.
So Obama is not the first to support a "fair" distribution of wealth. As far as I know, he was the only person of national stature to bring up the possibility of violence against those who "want to protect their stuff." This particular speech was made on King's birthday and when Obama was a student. How much of this he subscribes to now remains to be seen as the campaign proceeds.
Under this program the wealthy would be allowed 5 million dollars, the remainder would be confiscated and distributed. Millions of people joined Share our wealth clubs and millions wrote letters in support. It is widely believed that Roosevelt added New Deal programs in response to Long.
So Obama is not the first to support a "fair" distribution of wealth. As far as I know, he was the only person of national stature to bring up the possibility of violence against those who "want to protect their stuff." This particular speech was made on King's birthday and when Obama was a student. How much of this he subscribes to now remains to be seen as the campaign proceeds.
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