General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Party Loyalty [View all]A great example of a true progressive in FDR's administration was Leland Olds. I'm sure you know who he was, but for others, let me give some details:
In the 1920s, Olds was a journalist, who advocated for the railroad unions. He would work for FDR when Roosevelt was governor, with the NYS Power Authority. Olds made it possible for rural, poor farmers in upstate NY to get access to electricity. Later, he worked for NYC's Mayor LaGuardia, to supply power to the poor there.
FDR brought Olds to Washington. He served as an outstanding advocate for both the poor and middle class. Olds was hated -- absolutely hated -- by the rich. Hence, after FDR died, President Truman and LBJ worked to discredit Olds as (what else?) a commie, in a manner that would have done Joe McCarthy proud.