The War on Poverty: Then and Now

Transcript

E.J. DIONNE: "Because it is right, because it is wise, and because, for the first time in our history, it is possible to conquer poverty, I submit, for the consideration of Congress and the country, the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964." Those were Lyndon Johnson's words on March 16, 1964, launching the War on Poverty.

Here's just a bit more of what LBJ had to say: "The Act," he said, "does not merely expand old programs or improve what is already being done, it charts a new course. It strikes at the causes, not just the consequences of poverty. It can be a milestone in our one-hundred eighty year search for a better life for our people."

Johnson called for "a job Corps, a Work-Training Program and a Work Study Program." He argued that "Thousands of Americans have volunteered to serve the needs of other lands. Thousands more want the chance to serve the needs of their own land. They should have that chance." And so he launched VISTA. We also know that Lyndon Johnson fought to enact Medicare and Medicaid and also aid to elementary and secondary education.

"I do not," Johnson declared, "intend that the war against poverty become a series of uncoordinated and unrelated efforts - that it perish for lack of leadership and direction. Therefore this bill creates, in the Executive Office of the President, a new Office of Economic Opportunity. Its Director will be my personal Chief of Staff for the War against poverty. I intend to appoint Sargent Shriver to this post."

LBJ concluded with these words: "And this program is much more than a beginning. Rather it is a commitment. It is a total commitment by this President, and this Congress, and this nation, to pursue victory over the most ancient of mankind's enemies."

And so began the War on Poverty enacted into law 40 years ago this year. And four decades later, as Judy mentioned, after the ravages of Katrina, we as a country were at least said to commit ourselves again to a new battle against poverty. There may be reason to doubt whether we will make that commitment, but it's a commitment that we certainly ought to make. And if we do make it, we should learn from our past efforts, and in particular from Lyndon Johnson's heroic commitment of four decades ago.

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