The Most Progressive Presidents
by Barry Wright
Essay: The Most Progressive Presidents
Pages: 10
Rating: 3 stars
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Most Progressive Presidents
Progressives used the ideals of democracy, efficiency, regulation, and social justice to try to create a better world
than the one that they found themselves living in. It was thought of as the tool by which America could achieve
positive change and solve problems.
Roosevelt:
Roosevelt’s mail goal was to uphold and maintain the framer’s government of the people, by the people, and for
the people. (Bull Moose Party, 1912) He saw the benefit of increased efficiency brought on by Big Business but
stressed the need to legislate against its abuse of power while, in his "New Nationalism", emphasized the need for
enhanced regulation and legislation to combat the evils of Big Business and at the same time maintain an
acceptable tone. (Roosevelt,1910) In his "Square Deal" policy, he outlined a plan for enforcing equality for all
members of society, including both the small-time laborer and the big-time business executives. He made notice
of that fact that special interests groups were using their power to manipulate politics into misrepresenting the
common will of mankind. (Bowles, 2011) He stressed the importance of ridding politics of this manipulation
through measures such as prohibiting political contributions from corporations and implementation of the
Australian ballot. Roosevelt also pointed out that the power of Big Business could be and was being misused to
exploit the Little Man and stifle his advancement through society. He suggested that corporations and the people
who run them be responsible for maintaining fully legal behavior and disclosing economic status to the public in
order to prevent corruption. He also stressed that government should maintain complete control over industry ...