@radicalteatowel

Huey Long was born on this day, the 30th of August, in 1893. A prominent left-wing populist politician who served as Governor of Louisiana (1928-1932) and as a US Senator (1932-1935), Long denounced wealthy elites and bankers and spoke out for working people. A member of the Democratic Party, Long rose to prominence during the Great Depression for his criticism of Roosevelt’s New Deal, which Long deemed insufficiently radical. His 'Share Our Wealth' redistribution plan proposed a wealth tax and massive federal spending in order to combat the poverty and unemployment of the Depression era. Long's tenure in Louisiana is associated with the development of infrastructure, and healthcare and education initiatives to help the poor, and he was notable for seeking to help both blacks and whites at a time of racial division in the American South. Poised for a 1936 presidential run against Roosevelt, Huey Long was assassinated in September 1935. According to one source, his last words were "God, don’t let me die. I have so much to do." Long’s assassination turned him into an even more legendary figure in Louisiana, and his legacy continued to influence American politics for many years to come. Though he was far from perfect, he successfully proved that radical and socialist policies could be incredibly popular - and many of his ideas were eventually incorporated into Roosevelt’s Second New Deal. Happy Birthday Huey! #hueylong #long #huey #politics #politician #leftwing #left #socialist #history #greatdepression #depression #unitedstates #us #america #american #roosevelt #fdr #newdeal #otd