A REPUBLICAN ANSWER TO LBJ'S PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP70B00338R000300090101-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 9, 2006
• Sequence Number: 101
• Publication Date: January 23, 1967
• Content Type: NSPR

Approved For-Release?2q9,6/1/Ows4I, DFPOo?38R000300090101-4
JAN
23
195 .
A R PUB UCAU ANSWE ~ LBJ'S PROGRAM tacks on significant military targets in
North Vietnam, and improve significant-
What is the Republican view of the But any acceptable plan would have to ly our program for the pacification of
state of the union, as contrasted to that provide for a scaling-down.of some of the South Vietnam countryside, now
of President Johnson? What goals and the federal-grant programs. largely controlled by the Viet Cong.
programs will the enlarged Republican. We are not going to propose a reve This program now is under civilian di-
membership push in the now Congress? nue-sharing plan which is more icing on. rection, but there are reports that it will
Answers to these questions were giv- the cake. We believe in the principle of be placed under military control unless
on by Representative Gerald R. Ford of revenue-sharing because it would pro- there is real progress within the next 60
Michigan, Republican Leader of the vide the States and localities with the ys,.
House, in an interview published Jan money they need for a variety of pro- What about the "Great Society" pro-;
vary 76 in the Republican Congression- grams, but would eliminate the federal ? . grams already on the books?
at Committee's "Newsletter." The text controls which automatically accompany Republicans will seek to redirect such
of that interview: the grant programs. programs as the "poverty war," the "dem
In his state-of-the-union message, the-' -the basic concept of the Founding area redevelopment, and ' some. of the
President called for a 6 per cent surtax F" ers, education programs.
for individuals and corporations. What The President seemed to duck t eliWe believe most of these can be
proposal?
6 per cent surtax proposed by the Presi-
dent will be unnecessary.
I agree with Arthur Burns, chief econ-
omist in the Eisenhower Administration,
that a tax increase would be a "tragic
mistake."
The President has yet to present solid
President.
? Most top.. economists I have' talked
cessionary tendencies that are already
in Social Security taxes-totes which al- our snores, thereby lessening the danger grams will be mere political gestures-
ready rose automatically the first of this of fallout over this country, and perhaps and, at that, will be due to his misread-
month .4 per cent to an all-time high of eliminating the need. fora fallout-shelter. Ing of the mood of the country as ex
8.8 per cent, divided equally between system. pressed last November.
employer and employe. We know that the Soviet Union has What are the G.O.P. chances for cap-
I favor the Republican approach, started to deploy an ABM system around : turing the White House in 1968?
which would provide an immediate in- at least two of its major cities. We also 1- If we achieve the goals I have ust,
1
President would mean a sharp increase enemy missiles at great distance from . the-union message. If 'he does, the pro-
members last year introduced legislation, publicans support an antimissile pro- ? Do you expect the President to send
to do just that. gram? to Congress, more of his "Great Society"
But the 20 per cent over-all average Yes. programs?
increase in benefits suggested by the The Nike-X is capable of intercepting He did not so indicate in his state-of-
in Social Security benefits. I might note' I question of an antimissile defense sys- j vastly improved, and we'll suggest con-
r-.,fits? will have laid the foundation fo1 . electing a Republican President."
crease in benefits of 8 per cent and, in know that the Soviets' offensive-missile outlined,' we will have laid the founda-
the future, automatic increases whenever system has been greatly improved, both.. tion for electing a Republican President.
.the consumer price index rises 3 per numerically and technically-and, final- Our victories last November were won
cent or more. . ly, that Red China now has a guided- by our achievements In the 89th Con
This approach requires no increase in nuclear-missile system. We must move-.` gress. Now, with 187 seats In the House,
Social Security taxes. ahead with an antimissile defense sys-:. as against 140 .last year, we have, far
What kind of a bill to share revenue tern of our own. greater opportunities.
with States and local communities will What about the' Vietnam war?. What. (President Johnson charts hts' course,
Republicans propose? Must be done? page 271, text of the*Rate-d-the-union
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