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Editorial
February 3, 1949
The Potters Herald
East Liverpool, Columbiana County, Ohio
What is this article about?
Editorial critiques the emerging welfare state in America, quoting CIO President Philip Murray, warning that government paternalism may erode free enterprise, initiative, and individual responsibility, potentially leading to tyranny and loss of American spirit.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
The Human Welfare State
Americans supposedly look for the solution of modern economic and social ills to the human welfare state—a state which, to quote CIO President Philip Murray, "encourages the free enterprise system which has helped make this nation great."
It is, again in the words of Mr. Murray, the task of the welfare state to protect its citizens from fear, want and human degradation. That is a laudable goal. But whether this paternalistic system, with the best intentions of course, does not deprive its citizens of the very spirit that made America great is a question that only the future can answer.
At a time when the nation's industrial and financial capacity is stretched to the utmost, we ought to ask ourselves to what extent are the American people the masters of their economic destiny? Government is today an all-powerful factor in everybody's life. It can no longer be regarded as a silent partner or at best an umpire to be called in whenever the occasion demands. Government as an economic force and instrument of pressure is here to stay. No mere lip service and worship before the fading gods of truly free enterprise can ignore that fact.
Shall we then permit government to shape our lives and make robots of us by the expedient of digging into the public purse? Of course not. We do not believe with the CIO leader that such a state can be "neither right nor left, but liberal, progressive, open-minded and daring." In our opinion, this state tends to become man's greatest enemy, a tyrannical master driving him into ventures from which only misery and new slavery can result.
What is the answer? We must bend all our strength to keep intact the mainsprings of American life. Among them is initiative, willingness to sacrifice and take risks, readiness to assume responsibility. As long as these are with us, Americans need not fear statism which strikes at man's true impulses and turns him into a being content to live by the grace of the welfare state.
Americans supposedly look for the solution of modern economic and social ills to the human welfare state—a state which, to quote CIO President Philip Murray, "encourages the free enterprise system which has helped make this nation great."
It is, again in the words of Mr. Murray, the task of the welfare state to protect its citizens from fear, want and human degradation. That is a laudable goal. But whether this paternalistic system, with the best intentions of course, does not deprive its citizens of the very spirit that made America great is a question that only the future can answer.
At a time when the nation's industrial and financial capacity is stretched to the utmost, we ought to ask ourselves to what extent are the American people the masters of their economic destiny? Government is today an all-powerful factor in everybody's life. It can no longer be regarded as a silent partner or at best an umpire to be called in whenever the occasion demands. Government as an economic force and instrument of pressure is here to stay. No mere lip service and worship before the fading gods of truly free enterprise can ignore that fact.
Shall we then permit government to shape our lives and make robots of us by the expedient of digging into the public purse? Of course not. We do not believe with the CIO leader that such a state can be "neither right nor left, but liberal, progressive, open-minded and daring." In our opinion, this state tends to become man's greatest enemy, a tyrannical master driving him into ventures from which only misery and new slavery can result.
What is the answer? We must bend all our strength to keep intact the mainsprings of American life. Among them is initiative, willingness to sacrifice and take risks, readiness to assume responsibility. As long as these are with us, Americans need not fear statism which strikes at man's true impulses and turns him into a being content to live by the grace of the welfare state.
What sub-type of article is it?
Economic Policy
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
Welfare State
Free Enterprise
Government Intervention
American Spirit
Statism
Cio
Philip Murray
What entities or persons were involved?
Philip Murray
Cio
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Critique Of The Welfare State
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Government Paternalism And Welfare State
Key Figures
Philip Murray
Cio
Key Arguments
Welfare State Aims To Protect From Fear, Want, And Degradation But May Deprive Citizens Of American Spirit.
Government Is Now An All Powerful Economic Force That Cannot Be Ignored.
Permitting Government To Shape Lives Via Public Purse Risks Creating Robots And Tyranny.
Preserve Initiative, Sacrifice, Risk Taking, And Responsibility To Counter Statism.