Fifth District Weekly Radio Reports, 1966

The original documents are located in Box D35, folder Fifth District Weekly Radio Reports, 1966 of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. 5th District radio tape Jan. 26, 1966 Translating the complicated budget into simple terme it would :mean Americans will pay more for everything. Under the spending program contempli*ed by the White House, the cost of living would increase two percent. In its decisions on the budget Congress must consider the impact of the sharp increase in Federal spending on the economf in which inflationar,y pressures are alread;y strong. If the White House will not tackle the problem of higher living costs by restraining federal spending, the Congress must. I believe Congress must support all necessary funds for nationals ecurity. At the sane time, I believe in setting priorities at home without sacrificing the proven needs of theAmerican people all the people. During the coming weeks, I will have other reports on the federal budget, which should have the strong attention of all Americans. Thank you for listening. This is your Congressman, Jerry Ford, speaking with you from Washington. Digitized from Box D35 of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library I find it hard to understand how the national government can ask business and labor to avoid price and wage increases, which are measured in terms of millions of dollars, when it is increasing non-defense spending by many billions of dollars. ~ regret that the President did not see fit to indicate in his budget any ._..system of priority to >J' t Congress in reducing the less essential and less urgent items of expenditures. Fifth District Radio Talk (tor taping WEmESDAY JANUARY 26 This is your Congressman Jerry Ford reporting to you from Washington tor ' M seal ez F=xaB811bj D iaa:its~aaa&s the first time by radio since the second session of the 89th Congress Thanks to the splendid cooperation of GpaQ aapids radio stations in broadcasting these messages as a public service, I can keep you informed on major happenings in the Congress. most important topic of conversation is the tll2.8 billion-dollar-budget President Johnson sent to the Congress the past week The financial document should receive careful and critical scrutiny by the :At i 0 i I Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate and by the entire Congress. Th~ complicated budget sought by the President calls for a sharp increase in military spending, a substantial expansion ot tederallelfare programs, $6.2 billion tax plan to help p~ the cost. The President expressed hope that the record budget will produce sharp domestic growth without inflation. He pledged to ~ what he called "appropriate" fiscal measures---presumably higher taxes and a hold-Kawn ot domestic spending-1t as he said "unforeseen inflationary pressures Fifth District Radio Message (for taping Feb. 2, 1966) This is your Congressman Jerr.y Ford reporting to you from the Nation's There is much comment here and I'm cer:ain elsewhere about the President' s recommendation that the term of a Representative in Congress extended from two to four years. Most of the arguments r-in favor of the idea stress the convenience it would provide legislators and their families. Some say the longer term would reduce the energy and money spent in campaigning every other year. Others argue that a Representative would become more of an expert in legislative affairs by serving a four-year term. However, I believe in more solid considerations. I prefer the two-year term to keep the Congressman close to those who elect him and to all those he represents. Every two years is not too often .for a Congressman to put his record on the line and seek the endorsemant of the electorate. It seems to me that a two-year term gives the people an important oppolbmity to have a lJfre ditex)\voicJI in government. Mr. Johnson's suggestion that all Congressmen be elected with the Presiden_t and serve during ~ four-year term is receiving less support. Many Wf.l'ters E recognize that the United States does not have a parliamentary form of government as in England ~the prime minister as head ~vernment is the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons. 5th Dist. radio message 2/2/66 Our Constitution separates the legislative and executive powerse It sets up a system or~,~, ;!!!t~x checks and balances. We want our Congress to exercise independent judgment and protect us one-party or one-man rule~ are aJ!IIt to have the four-year tern, at least one-half or the Representatives should be elected every two years. Another major issue is the President' s proposal to alter the present electoral college system. He would simply eliminate electors as such in order to prevent any member of the Electoral College from voting for someone other than the candidate or his political party. 1111i .. _ kach state .d.~etain its electoral votes and the candidate who receives the most popular votes would still get !!! the ~ vote~. -This fact should disturb those who are devoted to the "one-man,one-vote" the President ignores it. It is interesting to note that only six times in our histor.Y did an electoral college member exercise his independence and vote differently than he was pledged. ~ In 14 presidential elections since 1824 the winner received less than 50 percent of the popular votes and in three instances the victor obtained votes than his 1e ading opponent. If we are to amend the constitutional provision relative to the electoral system, we ought to meet this more serious problem. 5th District radio tape If 14r. Johnson is truly devoted to the principle of "one-man,one-vote," he would advocate the election of the President by direct popular vote with a run off" if necessary to obtain majority rule. An alternative proposal calls for proportional representation in the electoral college. If two candidates receive 60 percent and per:;ent of a state's popular vote, they would get 60 and 40 percent respectively of the state's electoral vote. I supported this plan when I first came to Congress and I endorse it today. Thank you for listening. This is your Congressman Jerry Ford reporting to you from Washington. Fifth ~istrict Radio message (for taping Feb. 7 or 8) This is your Congressman Jerry Ford with a report from Washington. When President Johnson described his proposed foreign aid program one---in his words---to cBrry forward the best of what we are now doing in the less-developed world, and to cut out the worst," I believe most agreed with him. However, the "cuts" entioned by the President must be ~g !!!e genuine, effective and m.a.,E deep. Our mutual security program---with some exceptions---has served a useful purpose and I have supported its basic principles. But we now have sufficient evidence to show that substantial reductions in spending made without materiallY weakening any good which ~ be accomplished. am certain that the President's request for $3.4 billion can, and should be, cut considerable by the Congress especially in view of our expenditures and Mr. Johnson' s insistence on increas~non-defense am also pleased to have the President stress in his message to Congress foreign aid that-in his words---"we must concentrate on countries not ~ to us that give solid evidence that they are determined to help themselves, , I emphasize thet the burden of proof on cooper ORo<~ and constructive results must rest with the countries receiving our h~ 5th District radio (week of Feb. 7) page 2 aid must go ._ only to those countries not .Mais:ii:e hostile to us. But, the President could have gone further to insist that our tax dollars go only to those nations which are helpful to us in the Vietnamese war. Furthermore, I cannot justify, nor support, a~ assistance to those nations which in any w~ help the North Vietnamese aggressorso Here in Washington, among Congressmen, and all over the nation the war in Viet Nam is a major topic of thought and conversation ., President Johnson as Co~der-in-Ghief directs the w~ I support his position of strength against Communist aggression. I will oppose those who support a policy of appeasement---a weakness which ~ to I have long supported -z bipartisanship in foreign policy o But, bipartisanship is a two-way affair. It without first ~-~ f~l~rank does ~ involve accepti.~ deci~ions 'W: lh&N& a of the facts upon which those decisions are madeo As the late Senator Arthur Vandenberg once said, in -~ a truly acceptable bipartisanllla policy "total information must be made available to Congress the countr,yo and Congress must complete:cy explore and approve the measures by which the President' s policy is to be implemented." From the public viewpoint, there has not been this completeness of disclosure during the Viet Nam struggle. radio 5th District week Feb 7 Not until the 1966 State of the Union message was there full, official Presidential indication tba~S~Iapn blood in Viet Nam could well last----in Mr. Johnson' s words--"for years." Congressional leader,}ere invited to meet with tba President erior to his decision to resume bombing of North Viet Nam. However, there was ~ the same degree of communication when the President decided to order an extended pause in such bombings. As Senator "Dmdenberg said upon another occasion "we 11 stand by on the crash landings but would like to be consulted at the take-off." As ~ the President' s recent trip to HaNaii for a meeting with South Vietnamese leaders I hope this conference will lead to a prompt, honorable and lasting peaee-all other Administration efforts A having failed. This is your Congressman Jerr,y Ford reporting to you from the Nation's Capital Thanks for listening. Tune in next week, same time, same atation, for another report from Washington. NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE 312 CONGRESSIONAL HOTEL WASHINGTON 3. D. C. LINCOLN 4-3010 Script No.5 February 14 VIETNAM: ~/HAT'S NEXT? This is Congressman reporting to you from Washington. the seriousness of the war in Vietnam becomes more obvious to everyone, I believe that Americans, more and more, are becoming concerned about the scope of our military that for-off port of the world. At this moment, more than 200 000 American boys ore serving in uniform in South Vietnam --and there is increasing talk here in Washington that this number may reach 400 000 in only a few months. hI poliii&1 awaiJ.J must not abandon our commitment In South Vietnam. Yet, os casualty lists grow questions about the conflict become inevitable. For example: do our United States Government officials--the ones responsible for conducting the war--contradict themselves on how we are doing? Why aren't our so-called allies helping us more? aren't the nations directly affected by the outcome of the war sending men and to bolster our efforts? The stakes in SCJutheost Asia are enormoL,s. What would happen if we pulled out of that war-ra:;ked area? First, Malaysia would undoubtedly fall to the Ct>mmunish, pemaps ovemi~ht .. Th:s mel'ln that Red China would dominate the straits of Malacco where more than 12,000 !hips a yf'Jar pa:i:> through. Closin:J tl-:e shaHs could be c fatal blow to Indio, thr:~ Philippines, Burma would then be a sitting du~k for Mao':; armies and lndo11esian Dictator Sukorno could control the communicot~ons lines between th9 Philirpines and Australia.. Thailand, already advertised by the Communists as a takeover targe~ would be next in line. These are facts. They are known to all the free wcrld.. But ore ~he nations of the world helping us? Most are not. Many of them are octually giving aid and comfort to our enemies by permitting their ships to transport cargo to the Communists in North Vietnam. is to me a tragic fact: In 1965, there were more free world ships docking at the North Vietnam port of Haiphong than there were Communistshlr:s I We have a huge fleet sur- rounding North Vietnam yet we let them through without a murmur. of us in Congress hove been Insisting that the Administration act to prevent this Allied trade with North Vietnam. This week, the State Deportment took some action--although of what is necessary. The Department announced that any ship which carrtes supplies to North Vietnam will be denied U.S. Government-financed cargoes.. But that's aH!) We could--and should--do a lot more. For example, why not deny use of United States ports to any ship which carries any kind of cargo to the enemy? There's no question we nt:!ed some toughness in our policy. American boys are being killed on the battlefield by an Gnemy ~elng helped by our so-called Allies. To date, only Australia, New Zealand and South Korea have put troops in the field tcr help us tn Vietnam. Surely it is post time that we insisted on a showdown--that we demanded ~hot the nations of the free world share in the manpower burden. At the very least, we should toli so-called Allies that the port of Haiphong is closed and business as usual with the enemy is a of the past .. Without question, we must continue to fight Communist aggression ul:s: a o s1 it 1rins .. But, in the case of Vietnam, must we fight with one arm tied behind our back? This is Congressman reporting to you from Washington. (A copy of this script 1s available on Teleprompter in the House TV Studio)., NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE 312 CONGRESSIONAL HOTEL WASHINGTON 3 , D. C LINCOLN 4-3010 Script No. 5 February 14, 1966 is Congressman reporting to you from Washington. the seriousness of the war in Vietnam becomes more obvious to everyone, I befteve that Americans, more and more, are becoming concerned about the scope of our military that far-off part of the world. At this moment, more than 200,000 American boys are serving in uniform in South Vietnam --and there is increasing talk here in Washington that this number may reach 400,000 in only a few months. As I pointed out last week, we must not abandon our commitment in South Vietnam. Yet, as casualty lists grow, questions about the conflict become inevitable. For example: Why do our United States Government officials--the ones responsible for conducting the war--contradict themselves on how we are doing? Why arent our so-called allies helping us more? the nations directly affected by the outcome of the war sending men and supplies to bolster our efforts? rhe stakes in Southeast Asia are enormoLs. What would happen if we pulled out of that war-ra :::ked area? F!rst, Malaysia would undoubtedfy fall to tt;e c,,mmuntsts, perhaps overni~ht. Th!.s would me<:1n that Red China would dominate the straits of Malacca where more than 12,000 ships a year pa:3:; throu&h Closin:J H~e straHs could be c fatal blow to India, the Philippines, and Japan. Bur:na would then be a sitting duck for Mao's arm;es and Indonesian Dictator Sukarno "fhese are facts~ Thsy are known to all the free wcrldo BJt ere ~he nations of the free world helping us? Most are not. fv\any of them ore octua!!~ giving aid ond comfort to our enemies by permitting their ships to transport cargo to the Communists in North Vietnam. Here is to me a tragic fact: !n 1965, there were more free world ships docking at the North Vietnam part of Haiphong than there were Communistshir-~ I We have a huge fieet sur- rounding North Vietnam yet we let them through without a murmur. of us In Congress have been insisting that the Administration act to prevent this trade with North Vietnam. This week, the State Deportment took some action--although fer short of what ts necessary. The Department announced that any ship which carries supplies to Vietnam will be denied U.S. Government-financed cargoes. But that's a!l~ We could--and should--do a lot more. For example, why not deny use of United States ports to any ship which carries any kind of cargo to the enemy? There's no question we n~ed some toughness in our policy. American boys are being kHfed on the battleHeld by a11 enemy being helped by our so-called Allies. To date, only Australia, New Zealand and South Korea have put troops in the field i'o help us in Vietnamo Surely, it is past time that we insisted on a showdown--that we demanded that the nations of the free world share rn the manpower burden. At the very least, we should tcH 'lur so-called Allies that the port of Haiphong is closed and business as usual with the enemy is a of the past. Without question, we must continue to fight Communist aggression wherever it arises" the case of Vietnam, must we fight with one (.lrm tied behind our back? This is Congressman reporting to you from Washington. (A copy of this script is ovailc61e on Teleprompter in the House TV Studio)o NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE 312 CONGRESSIONAL HOTEL WASHINGTON 3 . D. C LINCOLN 4 -3010 Script No.6 February 21, 1966 A LITTLE INFLATION? This is Congressman reporting to you from Washington. Today, I want to discuss with you one of the .._political gimmicks of our a J: a d t.t,, I sUppose, by ibffi! IIG&ibl pelsila :sl If expo: I% It is a gimmick that has cost the American people plenty. The gimmick Is this: When some branch of the Federal Government--or some policy of the Federal Government--is likely to prove unpopular It can be made palatable by giving It a respectable-sounding, fancy, technical label or name. For Instance, the old-fashioned and un- popular title, tax-collector --unpopular since the day that Caesar Augustus sent out a decree that we, the world, should be taxed--has been changed to the rather awe-inspiring "Internal Revenue Agent." But don t let that fool you. He's still the tax-collector--and he still collects and collects and collects. A policy that has cost the American people plenty--one which has been made somewhat acceptable and cfmost respectable by a technical label--Is the policy of creeping inflation. It to the American people by the slogan a little inflation won