Eisenhower Tells it Like it is

"Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes that you can do these things. Among them are a few Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or businessman from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid."

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, l952-----

This quote circulating around the internet, as quotes do, seems to be a prescient warning from President Eisenhower. According to one web site about urban legends the verbiage is accurate but abridged, and the date is wrong:

This is one of several abridged versions circulating online of an actual statement by President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961). The original passage, from a letter Eisenhower wrote to his brother Edgar on November 8, 1954, went as follows:

"Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political
history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things. Among them are H. L. Hunt (you possibly know his background), a few other Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or business man from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid."

The additional accompanying commentary is not necessary to reprint as it consists of a disclaiming diatribe that the quote doesn’t really apply to the current situation. Maybe not, but Eisenhower also warned us to beware the military-industrial complex, and just how much disclaiming can be made of these clear-cut, bare-bones pronouncements? I can only say I like Ike!