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Gifts for all occasions in the Galleria! Subscribe to the "What is the Deal?" mailing list. November 16, 2003 What is the Deal with JFK? By Jan A. Larson  This
week, as we remember the Presidency of John F. Kennedy on the 40th
anniversary of his tragic assassination, we would be well served to
remember some of the ideals that he expressed so eloquently."And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." Unfortunately today, few ask what they might do for their country. Instead too many ask, "What's in it for me?" Ironically, even the late President's brother seems determined to fulfill the wishes of those that want more from government at the expense of those that don't. Kennedy won the Presidency by the narrowest of margins, but he and glamorous First Lady Jacqueline quickly garnered the adoration of the American public. His Presidency was mostly unremarkable with the exception of a handful of major events. The first crisis of Kennedy's term occurred just three months after his inauguration. The Bay of Pigs fiasco in Cuba was a major setback for the fledgling Kennedy administration as it spawned international criticism. "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." Kennedy's greatest triumphs were his showdowns with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev over the issue of access to West Berlin and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Khrushchev was negotiating a treaty with East Germany that would have cut off Western access to Berlin. After a meeting with Kennedy in Vienna, Khrushchev backed down and the treaty was never signed. In October of 1962, when aerial photographs revealed the installation of ballistic missiles in Cuba, the world was on the brink of nuclear war. Kennedy ordered a blockade of Cuba and tensions eased when Soviet ships turned away. Eventually Khrushchev had the missiles dismantled and crisis was averted. In August of 1963, Kennedy negotiated a ban on atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons with Khrushchev. This negotiation, from a position of strength, set the stage for the eventual normalization of East-West relations. "The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission." We have all heard the words but many, it seems, don't understand. The "cost of freedom" is high, but it is one that must be paid. A previous generation paid that price in World War II and the current generation must pay the price in the war against terrorism. Turning tail is not an option. "There are risks and costs to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction." Kennedy wasn't talking about terrorism or Iraq, but his words are eerily prescient. Democratic Presidential candidate Howard Dean says he would have chosen inaction in Iraq. It is clear that Howard Dean is no John Kennedy. "It is increasingly clear that no matter what party is in power, so long as our national security needs keep rising, an economy hampered by restrictive tax rates will never produce enough jobs or enough profits." These words were no truer 40 years ago than today. Congress did not implement Kennedy's tax reform proposals, but today we are fortunate that our President understands that economic prosperity comes not from the government but from private enterprise. We are already seeing the positive effects of the Bush tax cuts and to deny that tax cuts are good for the economy is foolish. "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth." Unfortunately, it has been over 30 years since the last man set foot on the moon. I don't know if the above were spoken today that the goal could be achieved. There is no question that John F. Kennedy had his failings. His presidency was tragically cut short and that fact has contributed to his elevation to that of a mythic figure. But there can be no doubt that there have been few occupants of the Oval Office that could craft the inspirational words that are often quoted to this day. -- Send feedback to the author. The "What is the Deal?" column will appears weekly on the Pie of Knowledge website. Guest submissions are welcome and encouraged. To submit an article to "What is the Deal?" click here. To subscribe to the "What is the Deal?" mailing list and receive early notification when a new column is available, click here. The Pie of Knowledge will never, ever divulge email addresses to any third party for any reason unless so ordered by a court of law. Contributions to the Pie of Knowledge are greatly appreciated. 
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