ABSTRACT
Richard Nixon was rapidly becoming one of the independent sector's chief spokesmen. The Roosevelt years were years when, with public confidence in the independent sector all but exhausted, Presidential energy was channeled almost wholly into the radical expansion of government. Government tends to claim that independent resources are inadequate and then makes them more inadequate by high taxes. The government should not be permitted to preempt the nation's money and then criticize the consequences. Now, politicians succeed by persuading people they will use government to improve American life. But as independent action gains momentum, that emphasis may shift. Candidates may succeed by persuading people they will inspire and foster independent action. Such a candidate would design his legislative program not to constrict citizen energy but to release it. The tragedy is that the final effect of the poverty program may be to destroy the agencies which could eliminate poverty.
