The Second Bill of Rights - The Economic
Bill of Rights as proposed by Franklin Roosevelt in 1944 |
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January 11, 1944
Often referred to as the "Second Bill of Rights"
Excerpted from Franklin Delano Roosevelt's message to Congress on
the State of the Union. This was proposed not to amend the
Constitution, but rather as a political challenge, encouraging
Congress to draft legislation to achieve these aspirations. It is
sometimes referred to as the "Second Bill of Rights."
This Republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength,
under the protection of certain inalienable political rights — among
them the right of free speech, free press, free worship, trial by
jury, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. They were our
rights to life and liberty.
As our nation has grown in size and stature, however — as our
industrial economy expanded — these political rights proved
inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness.
We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual
freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence.
"Necessitous men are not free men." People who are hungry and out of
a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.
In our day these economic truths have become accepted as
self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights
under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be
established for all — regardless of station, race, or creed.
Among these are:
All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we
must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these
rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.
America's own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon
how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice
for our citizens. |
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