Atlanta’s Oglethorpe University plans to display President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1932 campaign speech on the Depression.  The speech was given to the 1932 graduating class, and echoes what we have heard from candidates throughout this year’s Presidential campaign.

“We need to correct, by drastic means if necessary, the faults in our economic system from which we now suffer,” said Roosevelt.

Much of what has gone on in the economy over the last few weeks is hauntingly similar to the time of the Great Depression.  The government has and continues to relieve the struggling economy that has plummeted to historical lows.  

“We have not been brought to our present state by any natural calamity – by drought or floods for earthquakes or by the destruction of our productive machine or our man power,” said Roosevelt in the speech.  “This is the awful paradox with which we are confronted, a stinging rebuke that challenges our power to operate the economic machine which we have created.”

Tonight the United States Senate will vote on the revised $700 billion financial rescue plan.  On Monday the first version was shot down by the House of Representatives.  Republican presidential nominee John McCain, and Democratic nominee Barack Obama, and his running mate Joe Biden, confirmed they will be present for the vote.

President Bush recently addressed the nation on September 24, 2008 to gain support for the Wall Street bailout, only to see it fail to pass in the House vote.  It seems like Republicans in the House have gone to great lengths to separate themselves from the Bush administration, no better evident than by failing to pass this vital piece of legislation.  It is assumed the bill will get passed in the Senate vote tonight.

“The country needs and – unless I mistake its temper – the country demands bold, persistent experimentation,” said Roosevelt, “It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another.  But above all, try something.”

Now that the United States is “trying something”, let’s hope it works, and wish our next President the best of luck with this mess.