FDR's Four Freedoms Speech

In times like these, it is often instructive to revisit the wisdom
of the past and embrace its simple truths. Tonight, our president
invoked the legacy of FDR, the man who saved this country
from economic and political ruin. Love or hate him, you
cannot ignore his legacy of social programs, among them the Social
Security Administration, that have become the
essential fabric of our country. Bush may speak Roosevelt's
name, but he doesn't grasp his message:

"The basic things expected by our people of their political
and economic systems are simple. They are:

Equality of opportunity for youth and for others.

Jobs for those who can work.

Security for those who need it.

The ending of special privilege for the few.

The preservation of civil liberties for all.

The enjoyment of the fruits of scientific progress in a wider
and constantly rising standard of living.

These are the simple, the basic things that must never be
lost sight of in the turmoil and unbelievable complexity of
our modern world."

FDR, State of the Union Address, 1941

How far we have traveled from these principles, and how lost we
have become...