Teddy Roosevelt and Progressivism

In Teddy Roosevelt's speech "The New Nationalism," he talks about the need for a larger government to protect the people against special interest groups, most significantly corporations.  He compares citizens who make an honorable living to the soldiers in the Grand Army who fought to save the Union.  He also discusses Lincoln's challenges in office and emphasizes that we need to protect and strengthen our country.  He notes income disparity and the fact that some rich men have become rich unfairly, in a way that does not reflect the work they have put in or work that does not posivitely affect society. He says we need to get corporations out of politics; that they should not influence politics and political decisions.  I can't help but laugh when reading this because today, corporations and interest groups play a big role in politics.  It reminds me of the Citizens United vs. FEC Supreme Court case and the insane amounts of money that people with big fortunes will offer in exchange for political support.  Roosevelt's progressive agenda at the time went hand in hand with honesty, integrity and fairness in the work place.  More government regulation meant protecting citizens from unfair business and corporate practices.  He also wanted the rich to pay higher taxes, which is a contested issue today.  Roosevelt was warning us from the dangers of corporate influence and politics, as well as income disparity and conservation, things that so greatly affect us today.  Another thing I liked about this reading is that he uses the image of the farmer who left a farm for his children that was better than when he found it.  He said we should do this with our country.  This reminded me of Jefferson's and Lincoln's writings about the small farmer; their honesty, work ethic and importance in America.