Huey Long and Immoderation: Heroes & Villains
Why is moderation important in a civil society, leadership, and in the general public? Explore the story of Huey Long in this video feature of BRI's Heroes and Villains Curriculum to help determine how he exhibited the vice of immoderation.
0:07 Moderation. It’s a principle that encourages balance and restraint. But what happens when our leaders are instead motivated by power and greed? This is the cautionary tale of Huey Long, a U.S. senator whose thirst for personal gain triggered his own downfall. Although he was born into a family of livestock farmers
0:28 in rural Louisiana, that’s not the path Long saw for himself. He was an ambitious and charismatic young lawyer who won a seat on the State Railroad Commission, where he used his position to fight monopolies and gain popularity. In 1928, Long ran for governor of Louisiana using radio and sound trucks to reach a mass audience.
0:48 He promised the people better roads, new bridges and lower property taxes. His populist image and slogan, “Every man a king” was popular with the electorate and Long was elected. Rather than distribute wealth and power, as he promised. Long consolidated power by firing hundreds of political opponents, he diverted government salaries to help fund his reelection campaign,
1:11 used local sheriffs to control elections in the state and launched a biased newspaper to sway public opinion in his favor. He called the Louisiana legislature the finest collection of lawmakers money can buy. While in Congress his populist movement appealed to millions nationally who joined his Share Our Wealth movement, and he set his sights on challenging F.D.R.
1:32 for the presidency. But before that could happen. His story ended tragically in the halls of the Louisiana State Capitol, where he was assassinated in 1935. Huey Long can be seen as a symbol of immoderation. His power was based on fear and corruption in a constitutional republic great leaders show moderation – to observe the rule of law, respect
1:55 their political opponents, and put the good of the country above their own ambitions. Why should leaders show moderation?
