John F
John F. Kennedy vs. Lynden B.By: Joe Badussi
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The question I am about to answer can not be answered in brief. To fully comprehend the similarities and differences between John F. Kennedy�s �New Frontier� and Lyndon B. Johnson�s �Great Society� you must understand their intentions first. John F. Kennedy was not an ordinary President. He was one with a certain �charisma�, as some put it. He was very blunt and knew how to get what he wanted. During his rain as President, he created the reform program know as the �New Frontier�. The New Frontier was developed to assure Americans of the upcoming sixties� challenges. This was a program that affected all. Under the influence of the New Frontier Kennedy promised to defend freedom around the world. He stated: �Let every nation know, whether it wish us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend or oppose any foe in order to assure the survival and success of liberty. This we pledge and more.� Soon Kennedy�s speech would be put to the test. The debate over communism or democracy was still going on. The Cold War had not yet ended. During his presidency Kennedy was determined to lower unemployment by creating more jobs. He expanded the space program and stimulated military spending. He also cut taxes to give Americans a little more money to spend. This tax cut lead to a period of prosperity. He proposed a medical care program for the elderly. It was rejected by congress. Kennedy appointed black officials to higher government positions to support a Civil Rights Law he was delaying to propose. Kennedy�s program was a big hit. A national poll indicated that at least 60% of Americans approved his presidential stature. However, Kennedy was soon going to learn that all of his good will and future plans would be evaporated. On November 22, 1963 John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated. Millions of Americans watched his own death as he greeted the crowd strolling down a street in Dallas, Texas. The New Frontier was over. After Kennedy�s assassination vice president Lyndon B. Johnson took over Presidency. LBJ was the complete opposite of Kennedy. He lacked the charisma that Kennedy used to win his audiences. LBJ immediately assured the world that America was going to make it through this awkward time in history. LBJ understood that America needed a plan like the New Frontier for support. He created the �Great Society�. The Great Society was a program that used America�s prosperity as a means to improve the economy and help people live a prosperous lifestyle. It was based on the New Frontier. Like the New Frontier it had both accomplishments and failures. The Great Society�s main reforms were in medical care for the elderly, aids to education, and plans to diminish...
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