Don't Repeat History!

Over the last couple of days I've thought a lot about the presidential election of 1928. There are some striking similarities between that election and the one we're facing now. Like 2008, no incumbents were running and the field was wide open.

Herbert Hoover was chosen to represent the Republican party. Al Smith was the Democratic nominee. Two of the main issues of the day were Prohibition and religion. Religion was particularly important because Al Smith was Catholic and it was feared that his presidency would be ruled by the Catholic Church.

Hoover was in favor of keeping the Prohibition. Smith wanted to repeal it, though he chose a running mate who favored it. Compare that with the modern-day issue of abortion. Since shortly before choosing Palin, McCain has been adamantly "pro-life." Obama is "pro-choice," though he has said that he hopes to reduce the need and demand for abortions. Like Prohibition, abortion is a wedge issue that doesn't have much to do with the everyday challenges of most Americans but gets everyone riled up.

As we now know, Hoover won that election. Fear of Catholicism played a role, as well as Smith's stand on Prohibition. And what happened next?

In October 1929 the stock market crashed, bringing about the conditions for the Great Depression. Camps for the homeless went up in some cities and were called Hoovervilles. Grown men stood in bread lines to feed their families. Many lost everything.

While America starved, Hoover dined comfortably in the White House. He refused to meet with the World War I soldiers who insisted on receiving their promised bonus. He wasn't personally affected. But his name will always be associated with the Great Depression.

To be fair, it wasn't only Hoover's fault. Harding led a corrupt administration for three years before his mysterious death and Coolidge was known as a do-nothing president who gave business free rein. He was a Republican, after all, and opposed to regulation.

As I write, the conditions for the next Great Depression may already be in place. But we still have a choice.

On November 4 we can elect the Republican candidate who argues that the fundamentals of the economy are basically strong. He owns seven or nine houses and will survive any downturn. He is against regulation of business and favors continuing many of the policies, including tax cuts for the rich, that were implemented by Bush.

Or we can elect the Democratic candidate. He faces some real obstacles because of his race and because of the persistent lies about his religious beliefs. But he wil regulate businesses and take care of the middle class while increasing taxes for the rich.

Do we really want another Great Depression? My vote is for Barack Obama.