John Jay Chapman Quotes
This noteworthy quotation illustrates a rarity in politics—a politician publicly admitting that his policy had failed. In this case it was the Embargo against England and France which cost American traders, merchants, and ship-owners a great deal, but never did have the desired effect on the target counties. See {32446} for another Jefferson quote on experimentation. He and FDR were the two presidents who admitted frankly that they were trying new unproven things. See {604829} for an FDR quotation. Also see {359804} for a general view of experimentation and {599787} for Disraeli’s disdain for political experimentation.
This was very consistent with the programmatic philosophy of his boss, FDR, who campaigned on no specific solutions to the Great Depression but promised to try things and of the did not work, try others. His predecessor, Hoover, would try nothing as most ideas contradicted his philosophy or was not favored by the wealthy business interests of the day.
The designer was a exemplar of a third world artist and designer, having studied in the West, then implementing the emulation of neither but the creation of entirely new blended art and design. His cultural leap became an artistic and economic success.
This quotation shows FDR doing something that politicians rarely do. The country was in the midst of the Great Depression and he was running for the Presidency against Herbert Hoover who as President would do little to help the destitute part of the population or improve the economy. Roosevelt did not lay out specific programs which he claimed would fix the problem. He himself really didn’t know for certain what would and what would not. However he promised bold experimentation—trying new things. When he was elected, he was able to fail with one program and just shift to another until enough were successful. But the great contrast was to Hoover who would do little.
Two of the 20th centuries greatest political leaders were Mao Tse-Tung and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In most respects, these two were polar opposites. However, they had one characteristic in common. They were both willing to try things they were not certain of. If they succeeded, make it a part of the national program. If it failed, try something else. See Mao {642795}.
- Born: March 2, 1862
- Died: November 4, 1933
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Poet
