Econintersect: Matthew Forstater at New Economic Perspectives has posted the 1962 Yale commencement address by President John F. Kennedy. In these 30 minutes JFK speaks almost directly to current problems and seems to be anticipating the failings of today’s leaders to deal with our country’s needs with intellectual and factual honesty. The following film frame of Kennedy at Yale is representative of the image quality of film footage from 50 years ago.
Here is the full address with excellent acoustics from YouTube:
The text of the speech can be read at New Economic Perspectives.
JFK addresses government surpluses and deficits, proper priorities for the U.S. and how myths obfuscate the progess of reason. One quote in general reference to things he addressed specifically:
“The great enemy of truth is very often not the lie – deliberate, contrived and dishonest – but the myth – persistent, persuasive and unrealistic. Too often we hold fast to the cliches of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.”
