President Ford, urging a "new balance to our economy," called for a $10 billion cut in income taxes and a $4 billion increase in social security taxes in last night's State of the Union Address.
Ford proposed a federal budget of $394.2 billion--$28 billion less than would be necessary if present programs remained unchanged.
Ford also proposed Medicare coverage for catastrophic illness, additional housing assistance, and tax incentives for purchases of common stock.
Intelligence
He recommended support of the CIA, promising that, "in the near future, I will take actions to reform and strengthen our intelligence community."
Ford also condemned violent crime and hard drug abuse during the hour-long talk. He recommended the hiring of 500 federal agents to aid local police forces to "stop criminals from selling and using hand guns."
Ford asked for an increase in military spending and stronger controls on welfare and food stamp spending.
Richard J. Zeckhauser, professor of Political Economy, said after the address he thinks "Ford was laying out the themes for his nomination and election campaign."
Circus
Stephen A. Marglin '59, professor of Economics, after listening to Ford, said "I wish I'd watched Piccadilly Circus."
Marglin said he was angry but not surprised by Ford's emphasis on economic matters. He said, "The only way Gerald Ford can conceive of people having more control over their lives is to have more money to spend."
Andrew F. Brimmer, Ford Foundation Visiting Professor of Business Administration, said he was "disappointed" with Ford's speech. "There was nothing in his program to reduce the unemployment rate below its current level."
Read more in News
The Thesis DebateRecommended Articles
-
Ford Address Analyzes U.S. Political ClimateGerald R. Ford, 38th president of the United States, offered his perspective on the political and social climate of what
-
...and Congressional DiscretionT HE SENATE BANKING COMMITTEE did well last week in rejecting President Ford's nomination of former Congressman Ben B. Blackburn
-
Down Under Kid With a Gould-en PastHarvard men's swimming Co-Captain Tim Ford didn't have to be taught to be a champion. From a very early age,
-
Mr. Ford Goes to Princeton'There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe. --President Ford "I'm pretty sure that this is the best team we've
-
Wilson's Ideas Aided Ford in Crime StanceJames Q. Wilson, Shattuck Professor of Government, has been credited with "strongly influencing" President Ford's anti-crime message presented to Congress
-
Cross Country, Soccer Campaigns Begin TodayAccording to people in Washington, it is supposed to be a good year for Fords. Harvard's soccer team can only