The Relevance of FDR's First Inaugural Address in Modern America

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States, and the only person to carry the title for more than two terms. In spite of a deep depression and brutal war, he served as president for a grand total of 12 years (nearly 4 terms). In his inauguration, he mentioned what has become known as the Great Depression, outlining the causes and his plan to fix them. Although his accomplishments were arguably more impressive than those of other presidents, his speech contained precisely the same language every other president uses (and in fact, every politician) when things aren't going very well.

"This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." 

As you can see above, this famous phrase from FDR's inauguration speech ("the only thing we have to fear...") is a cunning ploy intended to bolster the flagging hope of a nation teetering on the brink of financial collapse. While some may be able to unearth shreds of brilliance or prescience in the speeches of men and women faced with tribulation (like FDR, for instance), under closer inspection these uplifting words are revealed to be meaningless. A speech is nothing but a speech, intended to raise confidence in listeners where otherwise there would be only despair, in order for the speech-giver to garner support (obviously, anyone can give a speech, but I will narrow the field down to presidential speeches). You will be convinced of this by examining the purpose of speeches and their inherent un-trustability in the following paragraphs.

Let us ask ourselves why leaders give speeches. Is it to give the impression that they are addressing the listeners individually? To give the government a "face", so to speak? Or could they simply be intended as a chance for the speaker to employ their charisma and/or writing skills? Technically speaking, there is no reason to give speeches in the first place, as it would be much less fuss to send the press a letter outlining their chosen course of action (just like our unreasonably exalted founder George Washington did in his farewell address). Whatever the true reason, it seems apparent to me that the mere fact that someone wants you to believe something is reason enough to doubt it (so you should stop reading this right now). Opinions and beliefs should be formed by the personal experiences of their owner, not by a leader who is a complete stranger to the vast majority of listeners.

Speeches are by nature deceptive for several reasons. First, because a speech has a more "personal" touch than an article or battle plan, and they rely on this fact to undercut much of the instinctive distrust people hold for the media. Second, because of the sheer amount of positive phrases they employ (which tend to be relatively the same across a broad spectrum of speeches). The orator cannot be trusted who insists on moral exhortations while a nation teeters on the brink of disaster (a state they seem to spend a great deal of time in). Third, and last, because any speech should be treated with the same fistful of salt that one would treat it's equivalent if it appeared on some shady, backwater blog site (even though there are some wonderful blogs that happen to fit this description).

In conclusion, all speeches are pointless waffle and should be immediately disregarded by listeners. Ask yourself why you are devoting your precious time to listening to the threadbare rhetoric of absolute strangers who only want you to feel hopeful because they have a chance to lead you. Any person who has taken the metaphorical podium throughout history could just as easily have been standing in the audience, and vice versa. Allow yourself to take a step back from the whole human situation and consider the fact that we are all just glorified monkeys with big brains. If you can do all of this you may be able to "cut through the crap" that infests every nook and cranny of our civilization, both metaphysically and materialistically.

Sources:

"Franklin D. Roosevelt: First Inaugural Address." Bartleby.com. 25 Jan. 2009

"Obama's Inaugural Address: The Full Text." Time. 20 Jan. 09. 25 Jan. 2009