Dominant Political Issues and Forces in the 1980's Page: 1 of 8
This text is part of the collection entitled: The Barbara C. Jordan Archives and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Texas Southern University.
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APRIL 22, 1980 9
A RECENT CARTOON IN THE NEW YORKER PICTiRED A MAN SEATED
BEFORE HIS TELEVISION SAYING, "I'M ALREADY TIRED OF THE 80'S". THAT
PROBABLY EXPRESSES THE FEELING OF MANY OF US. THE 80'S CAME IN WITH
PROPHETS, PUNDITS, PROGNOSTICATORS AND POLITICIANS CAUSING US TO REEL UNDER
THE WEIGHT OF THE PRESENT AND THE GLOOMY VIEWS OF THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
WE ARE REMINDED OF THE FINITENESS OF OUR RESOURCES AND THE LIMITS OF OUR POWER;
THAT INTERDEPENDENCE HAS LONG SINCE REPLACED INDEPENDENCE AND DREAMS OF
PAx-AMERICANA HAVE BEEN DISCREDITED.
WE COULD EACH CCIIPILE A LIST OF OUR PROBLEMS. EACH WOULD PROBABLY
INCLUDE ENERGY-DEPENDENCE, INFLATION, TAXES, UNEMPLOYMENT, A DECLINING G.N.P.,
LOSS OF PERSONAL EFFICACY, GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS, SOVIET EXPANSION, CAPITAL
FORMATION, AND ON AND ON. IT DOES NOT HELP TO BE REMINDED THAT MANY OF OUR
PROBLEMS ARE OF OUR OWN MAKING. WHAT IS CLEAR IS THAT THE CITIZENS OF AMERICA
MUST "THINK ANEW AND ACT ANEW" (IN THE WORDS OF LINCOLN). THIS DOES NOT MEAN
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR GOVERNING. IT DOES MEAN
HIGHLIGHTING THE ASSET SIDE OF THE AMERICAN LEDGER.
WE ARE A PATRIOTIC PEOPLE. IN THE SPIRIT OF LOVE OF COUNTRY WE
ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE. SINCE THE START OF THE IRANIAN CRISIS THIS SPIRIT
HAS SOARED. THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE TIME FOR THE LEADER OF AMERICA TO HUSBAND
THIS SPIRIT AND DELIVER ARTICULATELY AND CONVINCINGLY THE MESSAGE OF THE NEED
TO CONSERVE ENERGY AND MAXIMIZE INVESTMENT IN DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVE SOURCES
OF ENERGY. SUCH AN INVESTMENT WOULD INVOLVE BILLIONS. THE PRIVATE SECTOR
SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO BEAR THE TOTAL COST. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THE PRIVATE
SECTOR WOULD BE WILLING TO BEAR MUCH OF THE COST IF BUSINESS COULD BE CERTAIN
THAT FUTURE GOVERNMENTAL POLICIES WOULD NOT BE PUNITIVE AND HAVE A RESULTING
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Jordan, Barbara C. Dominant Political Issues and Forces in the 1980's, text, April 22, 1980; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth611294/m1/1/?q=%22~1%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Texas Southern University.