Opinion of John F. Kennedy

[Rooney]

I am not a fan. He allowed his economics to be far too highly influenced by Galbraith's The Affluent Society. Misdirected by Galbraith's views that budget surpluses were dangerous he led the nation into the first peacetime, non-recession deficit and to over $100 billion in debts. The loose currency and low interest rates, coupled with a massive tax cut and military build-up, led to a massive expansion of the public/private sector. Just like under Reagan this makes people think it was a time of great prosperity. GDP did grow but so did debt. I think JFK would be a Republican today. Like Republicans, he brought about economic growth through unpaid tax cuts, military spending, loose currency, low interest rates and ballooning debts! Why do Democrats want to claim this guy again? Is it the hair?

Above all I find his brother Robert to be more distasteful than Jack. RFK's war on steel magnates setting their own prices is one of the more disturbing moments in the history of civil and economic liberty. To force the lowering of the price of steel RFK sent IRS goons after steel industry officials. He used audits as weapons and used mafia like blackmail tactics to get the administration's way. These are things the Democrats, rightfully, tried to impeach Nixon over. Yet, the Patron Saint of the Old Dimmycratic Party Robert Francis Kennedy did them all the time and he is usually praised for it. Why do Democrats want to claim this guy again? Is it the hair?

In terms of foreign affairs I find Kennedy to be a mixed bag. I do firmly believe that JFK wanted out of Indochina. Henry Cabot Lodge obviously wanted more soldiers there and the assassination of the Diem brothers does not reflect well on him, however, JFK did tell Cronkite in 1963 that the "boys" in South Vietnam were expected to win their own war. Make of that as you will. Kennedy's infatuation with Castro is another issue all together. Operation Northwoods and the Bay of Pigs aimed to create war with Cuba which was hardly a wise policy. Furthermore, Kennedy continued the illegal "hidden hand diplomacy" of Eisenhower. Coups in Iraq, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic all were covered in the bloody hands of the CIA. Yes JFK made the Peace Corp and it built some flush toilets in Uganda. He also allowed for the government of Iraq to be overthrown. I think the goings on in Baghdad got his attention more than the toilets.