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It’s a strange thing. This is only thirty-five years…

“It’s a strange thing. This is only thirty-five years ago—Roosevelt, Wallace. We have a new generation in business today. Successful. It’s surprising how quickly they forget the assistance their fathers got from the Government. The Farm Bureau, which I helped organize in this state, didn’t help us…” quote by Studs Terkel
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““It’s a strange thing. This is only thirty-five years ago—Roosevelt, Wallace. We have a new generation in business today. Successful. It’s surprising how quickly they forget the assistance their fathers got from the Government. The Farm Bureau, which I helped organize in this state, didn’t help us in ’35. They take the same position today: we don’t need the Government. I’m just as sure as I’m sitting here, we can’t do it ourselves. Individuals have too many different interests. Who baled out the land banks when they were busted in the Thirties? It was the Federal””

Studs Terkel

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker warns that newer generations forget past government aid and overestimate self‑reliance, risking policy failures.

In simple terms: People ignore past help and think they can do everything alone.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and value past public support.

Themes

history public policy generational memory self‑reliance government aid

Mood

reflective critical concerned

Type

analytical historical

When to use this quote

  • Policy debates
  • education curricula
  • community planning
  • political campaigns

Key Concepts

Economic dependency political ideology social safety nets

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does forgetting past aid affect current policy?
  • What balance should exist between private initiative and government support?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on self‑reliance can ignore systemic needs.

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