HUEY LONG

[CelticSouthland]

No wonder the Jewish Bankers had him murdered!

[Tokopol]

@CelticSouthland Take it easy there, Walt Disney. He was murdered by the son of someone he was trying to remove from a judgeship in Louisiana. Judaism never entered into it, and Huey Long was a person of tolerance.

[sydneygayboi]

He was a Racist who never cared about the African American plight.

[MrBrinkle]

@sydneygayboi He was, though this didn't really interfere with his governorship. He did remove the poll tax, which enfranchised many poor blacks (albeit more as a consequence). He also attacked the Ku Klux Klan, though it was popular at the time.

However, this does not excuse blatant racism. He did make several inexcusable remarks about the nation being a "White Man's Country" and used African-Americans as a boogeyman to scare whites into voting for him.

A complex character, to say the least.

[shawnchi]

All I heard at 0:13 was

"To make that man come back and bring back some di green dai ga bo ben"

[goodolarchie]

@shawnchi Try "bring back some of that grub he aint got no business with"

meaning don't be greedy

[oTANSTAAFLo]

Long was just another rabble rouser looking to steal from those who work and give to those who don't. Though it's a great way to get votes it's still stealing. Progressives are pieces of shit.

[stehenallein]

@oTANSTAAFLo And where do you work? Walmart? Huey Long was one of the greatest governor's America has ever had. He increased voter registration 76% in one year as governor. A harsh critic of the federal reserve, his state monetary policy was so sound that while over 4800 banks were going broke around the nation, only 7 closed in Louisiana. He wanted to tax people who made 1 mill dollars 1%, 2 mil 2% and so on. 1 million in goods and services in 1933 would cost you 16 million today.

[MrBrinkle]

@stehenallein Keep in mind the state's economy did collapse, albeit at a later date. While I do admire Long for some things (though his racism can be uncomfortable), his economic policies were unsustainable within the system.

On the other hand, it was a system he worked to change.

[stehenallein]

@MrBrinkle Yeah most states economy did collapse. That's why they called it the great depression. His racism? Irrelevant, unless you're going to tell me he wasn't excercising the general consensus of Louisiana at the time-right or in this case clearly wrong. And the fact of the matter our entire federal government is unsustainable.

[stehenallein]

@oTANSTAAFLo You can thank your privately owned and seceretly operated federal reserve for that rampant inflation and devaluation of your currency which won't be worth its wieght as toilet paper here in several years after US has completley gone to shit like the rest of the world, and the same exclusive club of bankers simply pack up their shit and leave their mess behind like they've been doing since their peons were busy building pyramids.

[stehenallein]

@oTANSTAAFLo Progressives are peaces of shit? What are you JP Morgan's grandson? Railroads. Highways. Electricity. Running Water. Public Education Libraries. Colleges. Are you getting the picture? The JP Morgans and John D Rockefellars never worked a day in their life. Banks shouldn't be a buisness. This is why people like Jesus Christ said it is a bad idea to loan money at interest. (see Gospel of Thomsas) This is why it is our Congress that is supposed to coin and regulate te value of money.

[WarPig971]

105 years old died O.o

[xtianrz]

Creating wealth out of nothing?

[thenutintheushanka18]

he crazy



[Ratama]

the last of his kind in the US?

[imaccuish]

Huey said the right things, and did some right things. But he had a bit of problem with the old ethics compass.

[Swax6302]

I definitely don't believe in redistribution of wealth. Don't give somebody a fish, teach them how to fish.

lots of people didn't learn how to fish when they chose to not get an education. Those who never had the opportunity should be allowed one. But how's that to be done?

[CapitalistOverlord]

I like the metaphor. Problem is, it's not that easy. You can teach a man how to fish, but he won't have the bait or pole needed to. This is why you have redistribution of wealth.

[ThisAintKyle]

@Swax6302 I used to believe in 'redistribution' of wealth - but that was when I viewed 'wealth' as a finite resource that remained constant or steadily decreased with time. Operating from that basic assumption, it seemed clear to me that the best way to move things forward was to redistribute that wealth to the lower classes which then would spend it and stimulate the economy...

[ThisAintKyle]

... and improve their lives. However, I am now convinced that Wealth is not a stagnant or diminishing resource, but is constantly created and has grown exponentially in the past century. Furthermore, there is no natural cap on the creation of wealth - AND in order to create real wealth you must provide a product or service that others find valuable. Therefore the amount of wealth that you create is in direct proportion to the value that you create...

[Nautiluss]

@ThisAintKyle How do you know there's always gonna be value created?

Think about why communism doesn't work for a moment

[ThisAintKyle]

... which means that the wealth naturally flows to the most productive channels, where it is used to produce more wealth in the most efficient way possible. From these channels flows all the wealth that reaches out into the team assembled to help create this wealth, which flows out to the people who they do business with, to the bartenders, to the corner store, to the deli, to the cafe, to the servants, the painters, the doctors, the schools... all providing value in exchange for pay.

[Hbaranov]

@ThisAintKyle Yeah, sorry mate, Reaganomics don't work.

[xylikiticatacoltyx]

@ThisAintKyle Understand this. THERE IS FINITE MONEY. THERE IS NOT INFINITE MONEY. The federal reserve can create or stop creating money. The reason for the great depression was because there was indeed finite money, meaning the feds stop creating new money and NO AMOUNT OF GOODS OR SERVICES COULD MAKE U RICH BECAUSE THERE WAS NO MONEY FOR PEOPLE TO PAY U WITH!

[Nautiluss]

@ThisAintKyle How do you know there's always gonna be value?

Think about why communism doesn't work for a moment

[floyjoy]

The Constitution grants citizens the right to pursue life, liberty, and property (happiness). The poor has NO right to property that they did not earn. The beauty of the Constitution is that you can create your own wealth.

[Voimakas]

Now, we need a modern day Huey. Corrupt? Possibly. I would think that he took to give and kept what was left over. He didn't take and parcel out the crumbs that were left.

[forevergrasping]

What a hypocrite. Long was one of the most corrupt politicians in history, living in luxury, raising taxes, firing everyone he did not like in Louisiana, making sure they could not get a job after that. He added laws that caused mass lay off and he did not give a flying crap. He was about nothing more then power, raw power. Huey ain't any different then Stalin or other dictators whose idea of equality is making sure everyone is dirt poor but for themselves,

[ceejay644]

Wow what a deush. You obviously know nothing about Louisiana Politics.

[jabinbooth]

Huey P Long, much like most Longs that have come and gone since, was as crooked as he could be. He stole, he was corrupt, he was a crook.

But I tell you what, that crook did more for the state of Louisiana in his short time then most have done since. That's true southern politics, crooked as all get out but still able to help the people who elected them. I think America needs to take a lesson lol

[WilliamRowlett]

My mom's from Baton Rouge and Huey's a cult hero among some down there. He built bridges over the bayous and gave kids schoolbooks. Very noble accomplishments and I applaud that. That happened during the Great Depression, BTW.

But ... to redistribute "wealth" is flawed economics. Always has been. Wealth is created in the private sector and the more money staying in the private sector (not being spent on Baracko's $250,000 "date night" in NY), the more wealth and jobs it creates.

[Yankhadenough]

WilliamRowlett lol, you give a litany of all the good Huey Long has done FOR , OF , BY THE PEOPLE, and then you say "but"... but nothing! Private sector MUST be regulated by the people, lassez faire capitalism is the corruption by the cruel over the many, and the Constitution forbids the rule by the cruel, and the Constitution guarantees rule by the many , WE THE PEOPLE, instead!

[WilliamRowlett]

The only problem with your argument about capitalsim being regulated is the people who regulate the capitalism. They are usually Washington bureaucrats who've never been in the private sector or met a payroll. They're mostly liberals who use government power to unilaterally impose their will on the producers who create wealth and jobs. It almost always stifles economic growth and causes job losses.

[CapitalistOverlord]

"Bah", went the Republican sheep.

[CplMacias]

@WilliamRowlett, You're joking right "liberals stifling economic growth." Deregulation has allowed the corporate world to treat our economy like an ATM, they basically raped us for what it was worth and then got a bailout after all was said and done… That’s besides the fact… well here are the numbers Clinton 23 million Jobs, Bush 3 million jobs… Both 8 year presidents, hell even Carter created 10 million jobs in his 4 years and that was during tough economic times…

[zenbrenzz]

HA! You want a politician to utter the phrase "redestribute the wealth" in 2009??????

Instant assassination. Them that's got theirs ain't about to share withut a BIG fight.

[thatgibbyguy]

@zenbrenzz Hell, he said 'redestribute the wealth' back then and got assassinated. those in power will never give it away, no matter what year it is.

[supergirl913]

"you know that there is now overwhelming evidence that the so called "assassin" was only trying to throw a punch at huey and it was his moronic guards that panic and shot him by mistake?"

are you aware that this is a myth?

[thenextrung]

It's a shame that none of our current political "leaders" don't have the stones ( if any at all) this man did.

[reset22312]

Of course they are not your preference. Your into those ugly pale "aryan" types, just like you would like to consider yourself as, I presume. As for "Palestine", I guess "Palestine" was occupied too when the Jews lived in the country known with the name of Kingdom of Israel even though noone had heard of the name "Palestine" then and the people called "Palestinians". Because there was no people like that living there. They are all Arabs!

[reset22312]

hey nothing wrong with black chicks.

And no there is no "Palestine", no matter what you say.

[reset22312]

ok Mr Nordicist Völkish EthnoNational-Socialist. HAHAHA.....

[reset22312]

fuck off nazi.

[drno7777]

Another Democrat for McCain/PALIN.

[irgunlehistern]

THIS IS OBAMA!!!!

[NyBob85]

Huey Long was a great man. He did what was necessary to keep the state of Louisiana alive and its people working during one of the darkest periods in American history. Many of the roads, bridges, and public works projects people use even today were commissioned by Long and built by men who would otherwise be unemployed. His policies greatly helped those nine tenths of the population and their progeny and he compelled that last tenth to fulfill their civic duty by contributing their fair share.

[agoo7580]

He was a socialist. He laid the ground for corruption and lack of accountablility that my state is known for. He laid the ground for all of our failing goverment programs. He laid the grounds for the worst education system in the world. He fired people he had no business firing. You beleive he was a great man? I beleive that the dozens of shots going through his body didnt do justice for his wickedness.

[NyBob85]

The man was such a Herculean figure it took dozens of shots going through his body to stop him. It was a sick, pathetic little man like you that killed Senator Long, someone who knew he couldn't be stopped through the democratic process and had to resort to violence to get his way. But what's the point in me typing here? You already did enough to show the world what a Huey Long detractor looks like - a sick, bitter person who endorses the assassination of elected officials.

[agoo7580]

So I am not supposed to hate the guy because it took a dozen shots to kill him? Did you know that there is now overwhelming evidence that the so called "assassin" was only trying to throw a punch at huey and it was his moronic guards that panic and shot him by mistake? The democaratic process? Do you have any idea how many times Huey worked his way around the democratic process through bribery and intimidation? Are you even from louisiana? If you are, then you have a lot of history to read up on

[prplhze2000]

the old regulars were sooooooo much better than he.

[NLS510]

What were Huey Long's racial views? Was he an antisemite? Was he pro-segregation?

[IBMeddling]

NLS510, He remained neutral on segregation. Ofcourse if he was against it he wouldn't have been so popular back then (in the south). Antisemite? I am not sure. He had socialist views so I don't think he was-I could be wrong.

[NLS510]

Well antisemitism was a prevalent attitude in America during the interwar period and the Second World War, so I was curious as to what he thought of Jews.

[NyBob85]

Long was not an anti-semite, although Gerald L.K. Smith, the man who succeeded him as the leader of the Share Our Wealth movement, most certainly was. Long himself however never spoke an unkind word about the Jews and was said to have Jewish associates. He was more or less ambivalent about the segregation issue although he did a lot more to improve the lot of blacks than most Southern politicians of the day just by virtue of them being working people who needed a fair shake at a job.

[enochsneed]

In a time when the rich are getting ever richer, while the poor get poorer, we need a new Huey Long. The greatest President we never had!

[rodneyking1485]

you are about to get one... Barack Obama... he is a socialist also

[enochsneed]

Really? We shall see what we shall see. The good Senator doesn't convince me one bit.

[rodneyking1485]

Long and a member of LA Senate formed controversial Win or Lose Oil Company. Firm established to obtain leases on state-owned lands so that the directors could sublease mineral rights to major oil companies. These activities were done in secret and the stockholders were unknown to the public. Long made major profit on bonuses and resale of those state leases, using the funds primarily for political purposes. Several hundred million "redistributed" from state to families of the politians.

[Later88]

This guy was a total left wing loon who wanted to punish people for their success. If you are poor do something about it and stop relying on the government for handouts.

[protofear]

you lack compassion. it's easier said than done to just "do something about it." some people are restricted because of their location, and can't afford to get to schools to get a degree that would up their income.

I also disagree that he was a "left wing loon." no taxes up to 1 mil, 1% increase for each mil after that, and at 8 mil 100%.. considering the depression going on, and the federal reserve causing the depression, at least according to Ben Bernanke, it was quite reasonable at the time.

[Anthemology]

I really appreciate that comment. its good to see people that can put themselves in somebody elses shoes

[rodneyking1485]

this was the typical liberal/socialist. he was for "redistribution of wealth" as a tool to gain power in order to obtain massive wealth for himself. google "win or lose oil company" to see his real idea of redistribution.

[EmperorNorton2008]

Marxists hate Liberals and call them "apologists for the sins of capitalism". You would know that if you weren't a McCarthyist.

Liberalism is not the same as socialism, and Liberalism was founded to fight Socialism as the earlier Progressivism was open to it. Most Liberals also felt long was a tyrant and too populist. Thats also why the Rooseveltists were against him and feared him.

[elperromagico]

This idea that anybody who's rich worked hard for it and earned their success is utter nonsense. The Hiltons, the Waltons, and every other trust fund baby "earned" their "success" off of the hard work of their long-dead relatives. They're some of the laziest people you'll find.

Should people be rewarded for the hard work and success of their ancestors as well?

[Later88]

Yes, the death tax (inheritance tax) should be done away with or the amount were it kicks in should be greatly raised. Again if someone works hard their whole life so they can leave something for their family why should they be punished? The gov has no reason to tax 50% of the inheritance which was already taxed.

[Billyothon]

A man who told the truth.

[AkoyPinoy2]

Was this on Unsolved Mysteries?

[oldhacks]

Huey Long didn't take no shit

[greenback001]

Huye Long is was a rockin American. I do disagree with his regulation of the pursuit of happiness (making a lot of money if that's your thing). Regardless he was rockin!

[numnunums]

@greenback001 And also correct despite what you think.