Continuing in this look at American History.
Idylls of the Progressive Age by Michael Doyle Theodore Roosevelt rose to the presidency Upon the assassination of William McKinley A cowboy rode into the White House that day Formidable and enthusiastic in every way His sharp rise in politics had an activist view Bringing back the power of the presidency long overdue His belief being that Founders could not see The sweeping changes that came with this new century Wholly different action was needed and called for The Stewardship Policy would allow whatever needed and more When the coalminers threatened to close the mines As winter was coming he threatened to break the lines That he would enforce whatever was necessary However much to the Constitution it was contrary Seeking the new paths of rapid consolidation Teddy felt certain he knew best for our nation The government as senior partner in all business Reelected in 1904, Roosevelt's consolidations were a business As he proceeded with regulating through his Acts To protect the welfare and nature in fact Establishing land reserves and national forests The park system brought stewardship to its best A balance of use with respect to natural beauty And these lands held with some degree of sanctity John Muir felt this to be destructive of the nation Preferring instead that all be held with pure sanctification Seeing business as predatory and inherited wealth as worse Roosevelt left office to William Howard Taft as a curse Starting the Bull Moose Party to unseat his prior choice Woodrow Wilson would rise to be become the people's voice Roosevelt split the Republican vote with his insurgency Ending a long period of Republican dominance in our history Wilson felt our Constitution to be completely defective Wishing the presidency was the head of the legislative Influenced by Darwin, he wanted government by evolution Thinking natural rights to be a matter of devolution Declaring that we were as free as they to unmake government Systematically holding that the words of Founders were not meant The election of 1912 was a high time of reform sentiment Eugene Debs and all the others sought to change our government An activist, Wilson took the lead in legislation Raising tariffs and creating the Federal Reserve for our nation A dazzling array of Progressive pieces of legislation Triumphally blending trust busting and nationalism In such a nation of advanced progressivism There was a disconcerting rise of hostile racism He did have a White House dinner with Booker T. Washington Yet, on the other hand supported segregation There was also a tendency to disparage the Declaration As they continued to undermine the Constitution of our nation This was a bit of a revolution against the pillars of our society Seen by many, including me, as being an impropriety (c) April 3, 2020 Michael Doyle All Rights Reserved
