Barry Goldwater for President 1964 Campaign Brochure

‘BARRY GOLDWATER SPEAKS OUT FOR A STRONGER AMERICA’

Barry Goldwater is troubled by attempts to change our form of government - and is resolved to maintain the historical balance of our Republic.

GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY

"Our tendency to concentrate power in the hands of a few men deeply concerns me. We can be conquered by bombs or by subversion; but we can also be conquered by neglect - by ignoring the Constitution and disregarding the principles of limited government.

"I am convinced that most Americans now want to reverse the trend. I think that concern for our vanishing freedoms is genuine. I think that the people"s uneasiness in the stifling omnipresence of government has turned into something approaching alarm. But bemoaning the evil will not drive it back, and accusing fingers will not shrink government."

STATES RIGHTS

Barry Goldwater knows that government to be responsive must be close to the people.

"There is a reason for (the Constitution’s) reservation of "States" Rights.

Not only does it prevent the accumulation of power in a central government that is remote from the people and relatively immune from popular restraints; it also recognizes the principle that essentially local problems are best dealt with by the people most directly concerned. Who knows better than New Yorkers how much and what kind of publicly financed slum clearance in New York City is needed and can be afforded? Who knows better than Nebraskans whether that State has an adequate nursing program? Who knows better than Arizonans the kind of school program that is needed to educate their children?

"The people have long since seen through the spurious suggestion that federal aid comes free. They know that the money comes out of their own pockets, and that it is returned to them minus a broker’s fee taken by the federal bureaucracy. They know, too, that the power to decide how that money shall be spent is withdrawn from them and exercised by some planning board deep in the caverns of one of the federal agencies. They understand this represents a great and perhaps irreparable loss-not only in their wealth, but in their priceless liberty."

CIVIL RIGHTS

Barry Goldwater wants equal treatment for all Americans, but preferential treatment for none.

"The right to vote, to equal treatment before the law, to hold property, and to the protection of contracts are clearly guaranteed by the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution. These rights should be rigorously enforced. Existing law demands it.

"In the schools, the Attorney General already has the authority through court decrees to effect integration. But if more authority must be granted, we should write a law that is tightly drawn, that can be used like a rifle, not a shotgun.

"As for the proposed public accommodations law, it is unconstitutional and a clear example of a new law which will only hinder, not help the cause of racial tolerance. Such a law could even open the door to a police-state system of enforcement that would eventually threaten the liberty of us all.

"No matter how we try, we cannot pass a law that will make you like me or me like you. The key to racial and religious tolerance lies not in laws alone but, ultimately, in the hearts of men."

He is a staunch defender of personal freedom and the rights of every individual.

"Unenforceable government edicts benefit no one. Continued public attention and moral persuasion, I believe, will do more, in the long run to create the good will necessary to the acceptance of decent racial relations in all segments of our society.

"Our people must not be herded into the streets for the redress of their grievances. We have better ways, more lasting and more honest ways."

LABOR

Barry Goldwater is not afraid to challenge vested interests, either in management or labor. He has challenged "bossism" everywhere.

"The labor movement was born out of the threat of the loss of freedom through excesses of overbearing business monopolies. It has served well to bring the pendulum back from the extreme. I believe that unionism, in its proper sphere, accomplishes a positive good for the country.

"But the pendulum has now swung too far in the opposite direction and we we faced, as a people, with the stern obligation to halt a menacing misappropriation of power before it completely engulfs the liberties of labor, management and the general public."

SOCIAL SECURITY

Barry Goldwater wants to safeguard the "security" in Social Security.

I favor a sound Social Security system and I want to see it strengthened. I want to see every participant receive all the benefits this system provides. And I want to see these benefits paid in dollars with real purchasing power.

"Social Security is a system of basic protection for the aged. In addition, most Americans now participate in private pension plans while many have their own savings and investments Social Security was never intended to replace these voluntary programs. Its prime purpose was and is to supplement them, to provide a basic floor. I am convinced it can do this job, the job for which it was created.

"Essentially, protection against need in America depends upon a free economy which produces an ever-growing abundance and an ever-greater opportunity for all. In this framework, I believe Social Security has a vital and legitimate supporting role."

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Barry Goldwater believes that the first fiscal responsibility of the Federal Government is to preserve the value of the dollar.

"Government must do everything within its power to guarantee a sound dollar. It can do this by reasonable budgets, by living within the means of the people who pay the bills, and by encouraging the individual enterprise from which the real value of money is formed.

"We need clearly stated and clearly understood priorities for national programs. We cannot do everything at once and there are many things the Federal Government should not try to do. Local governments must take on more and not, less responsibility in meeting needs when those needs are fully established."

He will trim unnecessary and unwarranted Federal spending.

"Let us, by all means, remember the nation's interest in reducing taxes and spending. The need for economic growth that we hear so much about these days will be achieved, not by the government harnessing the nation"s economic forces but by emancipating them. By reducing taxes and spending we will not only return to the individual the means with which he can assert his freedom and dignity, but also guarantee to the nation the economic strength that will always be its ultimate defense against foreign foes."

THE WELFARE STATE

Barry Goldwater has issued a clear call to halt the relentless drift toward the welfare state.

"We, the people, can change all of this. We can unite. We can reject appeasement. We can deny self-indulgence. We can restrain our pressure groups from seeking special privilege favors at the expense of the general public taxpayer.

"We can meet our obligations and not postpone the debt payment and place that burden on the next generation. We can do all of these things, for the people of America are strong, capable and courageous.

"To do these things, to restore the flaming beacon of freedom and opportunity which for so many generations enjoyed the admiration and affection of all the peoples of this earth, we must make our voices heard in the election of those who are to represent us in the governing bodies of this republic.

"We must elect uncommon men to do an uncommon job for an uncommon country."

LEADERSHIP AND THE AMERICAN DREAM

Goldwater has asked all of us to dedicate ourselves to the American dream.

"I understand what the people of America are saying in this decade. Their message has been heard and understood. The people are now eager for a leader who will restore, the Constitutional limitations of government, who will mobilize moral force of 180 million people to reduce and to limit the inequitable, concentration of power in any government, organization or economic combine."

With these challenging words, Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona launched his campaign for the Presidency of the United States. Their force and clarity reflect the man and explain the ever-increasing enthusiasm of millions of Americans for him. They are the words of a businessman and soldier turned statesman who will accept no substitutes for fundamental American principles. They are the words of a dedicated public servant seeking our Nation's highest office; not to satisfy personal ambition, but to lead a crusade which will restore pride and self reliance at home and respect abroad.

Throughout his public career, Barry Goldwater has never made special appeals to special interest groups. He never will. He is an American who will work for America; not for one particular section, class, group or party, but for all of America. He is one man in public life today who can transform principles into programs to produce a stronger America and a stronger Free World.

Go Goldwater “A Choice Not an Echo”