Huey Long: Every Man a King

After reading up on the Great Depression, it has become strikingly clear that much of the same things are going on now. Barack Obama, much like FDR, has moved towards creating a stimulus package to jump start the American economy. Obama has proposed a "new deal" of his own that closely resembles the one implemented by Roosevelt. The figure of Huey Long, former Governor and Senator from Louisiana seems to be often forgotten in history. Much like Roosevelt, Long advocated for government regulation and intervention to get the nation out of the Great Depression. His "Share our Wealth" program focused on the motto "Every Man a King" and sought to impose a cap on income. He theorized that the wealthy did not need an excess of money and sharing their wealth with the lower classes would in turn cause a boom in the economy. Long endorsed Roosevelt in his bid for the Presidency in 1932 but shortly after broke in his support for the President. During this period, it is safe to say that everyone knew Huey P Long. He defined Louisiana politics and was even seen as a potential opponent to President Roosevelt for the Democratic nomination in 1936. At this time, Long was often viewed as a radical politician. His speeches in the Senate were considered works of oratory art and entertainment, causing many politicians to either respect him or disdain him. However, with his political future having endless possibilities and his own ambitions set on America's highest office, Long was shot on September 8, 1935 and died two days later. The man who could inspire any crowd, stir up those who had no reason to rejoice, was assassinated without ever realizing his potential. As he lay dieing, Long reportedly said "God, don't let me die. I have so much left to do".

To read more about Huey Long, visit http://www.hueylong.com/