How can we compare the current administration to johnsons great society program?

Answer 1

With the utmost sadness. It's difficult now - looking backwards through the glass of history - to remember Johnson for anything else other than the Vietnam disaster. But before that he was sincerely trying to improve American society for *all* of its citizens, and nobody after that has managed it; what's even sadder is that for many politicians that has ceased even to be a goal that they want to set themselves. And so the polarisation gets worse.

Someone whose name I can't remember said that the difference between Wellington (an army commander) and Nelson (a naval commander) was that Wellington could call his army 'the scum of the earth, enlisted for drink,' but Nelson couldn't because he was on the same ship. We have rather too many people in government and business who behave like Wellington, and they'll be in for a nasty surprise. Johnson had the foresight, and the moral commitment, to see this.

Take care.

Answer 2

I don't really see many comparisons. Bush's "No Child Left Behind" did expand the role of the federal government in local affairs and some of Johnson's programs did that, too. Then there's the medicare prescriptions.

Otherwise, the Great Society was an attempt to eliminate poverty in this country. Bush isn't trying to do that. He seems to me to be "selectively" conservative, but he's still conservative, and conservatives think the best way to eliminate poverty is indirectly by creating a favorable business climate.

Answer 3

the current administration would rather you worked for what you get out of life, johnsons great society was a wealth redistribution policy aimed at catching votes from poorer people benefiting from handouts....its as if you have a 20 year old living at home, still not going to school, not working steady, and in general going no where with his life as far as being a productive member of society in some way....do you take the "tough love position" (bush' view)...or do you keep on supporting him until that job at mcdonalds finally comes through and he can pay the 50 bucks a month you asked for the basement...which is better actually for him in the long run...???

Answer 4

Huh. That's a tough one.

Let me see here. Johnson created a natiowide program to lift all Americans out of poverty. Bush has cut taxes on the wealthy to give even more to people who already have plenty, while simultaneously slashing programs for the poor.

I think the answer to your question is - we can't.