Evening star., 1961-01-31
Mr.. Kennedy's Sacrifices

WF. NGHHSOy SQCTTICeS
If we were to pick one sentence from
President Kennedy'S state-of-the- Union
message-the sentence which comes
closest to telling the whole story-it
would be this: "It is one Of the ironies
Of our time that the techniques of a
harsh and repressive system should be
able to instill discipline and ardor in its
servants-while the blessings Of liberty
have too often stood for privilege,
materialiSm and life Of ease"
This comment, as we interpret 1t,
is significant because 1t puts new face
ON cherished myth-on the belief,
drilled into us again and again by
political orators, that there is something
underlined but nevertheless inherent In
our society which guarantees that
free men inevitably will prevail in the
end over those who live under totali-
tartan system. Mr. Kennedy is saying,
as we understand him, that this is not
necessarily so-that liberty alone will
not sustain us, that free men must equal
or at least approximate the discipline
and the ardor which the Communists
have been able to engender among their
adherents.
Winding up his remarks, the new
President said that he has a different
view Of liberty, meaning that he does
not equate it with privilege, materialism
and life Of ease. In 1861, he warned,
life will not be easy. Wishing 1t, pre-
dieting 1t, even asking for it will not
make 1t So There will be further set
backs before the tide is turned. But turn
it we must"
AS an exhortation, this is admirable.
But will the tide which has been running
against us really be turned? Will the
American people accept a Sterner life
in 1861? Are they ready for the curbs
on privilege, materialism and life of
ease which must be imposed II we are
to match the Communists in terms Of
discipline and ardor?
There Is not much in the recent
record, except in time of actual war,
to encourage affirmative answers. And
it may be said with considerable
assurance that the answers will be
negative unless Mr.. Kennedy himself
sets the example-by what he does as
well as by what he says. Stirring para
graphs in an Inaugural or state-of-the-
Union address, by themselves, will not
be enough. Somewhere along the line,
clear call for specific sacrifices must
be sounded.
That call will not be found in yester-
days address to the Congress. Mr.. Ken
nedy spoke Of many things-spoke of
them in terms Of better life. Even
now, he said, Is million Americans live
IN SubStandard homes, and a new
housing program will be needed this
year. eve suspect that most Russians,
with their discipline and ardor, would
envy many of these substandard homes.)
He touched upon the needs Of farmers,
the aged, hospitals, schools-all Of which,
he indicated, are requirements that must
be satisfied. In fact, he said, there are
"a host Of problems and projects in so
States"-too numerous to mention in
his message, which deserve and will
receive the attention of Congress and
the White House. In addition, the Presi-
dent talked Of the requirements for more
weapons, more help for Latin America,
more aid to our friends across the seas
La oAAOAC, VI oO ~ oCCLICu W L1lSSS
portions Of the address were rededica-
ton to the concept Of the more
abundant life"-a better deal for our
friends as well as for Americans, and
all within the concept Of dollar which
will remain as Sound as dollar" with
out the levying of any Kennedy-re-
quested new taxes.
We realize, Of course, that Mr.. Ken
nedy will have more to say, and more
to ask in later messages. Perhaps these
will reveal the details of how he pro-
poses to do the things he has enume-
rated. We hope so, for his program is
not trick that can be manipulated with
mirrors. Somebody must pay the bill.
OF greater Importance, we hope the
President will spell out his ideas on the
matter Of discipline and sacrifice. Just
what is 1t that he proposes to ask of
the American people? If he was
staggered" after 10 days in office by
discovery Of "the harsh enormity of
the trials through which we must pass
in the next four years." then, surely,
the need for sacrifices must be urgent
and real. But what are they?
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