Franklin Delano Roosevelt

From RationalWiki
(Redirected from Franklin Roosevelt)
Jump to: navigation, search
Franklin D. Roosevelt, according to some people
The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.
—Franklin Roosevelt, pinko commie, second inaugural address[1]

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882 - April 12, 1945) was the 32nd President of the United States (March 4, 1933 - April 12, 1945). As his full name exceeds seven syllables by one syllable, his name is often abbreviated to FDR (his initials), shortening the time it takes to say his name, allowing the conversation to finish slightly sooner because of the saved time and as such spend more time doing other things post-FDR-related conversation.[2]

FDR is most well known for guiding the country through the Great Depression[3] and preparing the nation to fight in World War II. He is also the only president who has ever served more than two terms, having been elected to four terms, although he died in office early in his fourth term.[4] This unprecedented run inspired the 22nd Amendment; unless this amendment is repealed, no president will again serve more than two terms.

However, Roosevelt was infamous for trying to "pack" the Supreme Court and signed Executive Order 9066 that sent those of Japanese descent (but also those considered "Japanese," like Koreans and Taiwanese) on the West Coast to internment camps. Wingnut "author" Michelle Malkin even wrote a book In Defense of Internment as apologetics for internment... an FDR achievement that conservatives seem slightly grateful for.

He is, or was, hated by the American right-wing who claim his "Communist" policies damaged the country, and, by extension, since the United States is all that matters, the world. The assertions by conservatives that FDR's policies were "communist" are, of course, complete bullshit; he didn't even manage to nationalize any businesses. He did, nevertheless, start a social welfare program (Government takeover of the pension industry!) that's still in effect today and remains widely popular.

When Roosevelt was 39, he contracted polio and was effectively paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of his life.[5] His illness was downplayed during his presidency because people really were shallow enough not to vote for a disabled man in order to maintain a better public image.

Notably, he is also the last American president to have been fluent in a language other than EnglishFrench and German.

[edit] See also

[edit] Footnotes

  1. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/froos2.asp
  2. Do you think people avoid saying 'John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy' just for the good of their health?
  3. For alternate history, see Amity Shlaes
  4. He's also had the most vice presidents in John N. Garner, Henry A. Wallace, and Harry S. Truman.
  5. This didn't stop him from practically dragging himself up a gravel driveway everyday in an attempt to partially recover. Beast much?
Personal tools
Namespaces

Variants
Actions
Navigation
Community
Tools
support