Masonry Magazine March 1969 Page. 37
which he has already come to grips. Even hardened critics say his main aim seems to be to do his best to serve all the people in the country.
For example, he has surprised Washington with these stands:
-On the economy-Nixon won't let unemployment rise by very much, even though he takes longer to check the inflation.
-On tax reform-He is supporting moves to plug loopholes.
-On integration-He has cut off money to hold-out schools.
-On foreign trade-He says he'll fight protectionist bills.
-On poverty-He has not gutted the programs, as feared.
-On patronage Many Democrats remain in key spots, while supposedly victorious and faithful Republicans go hungry.
OF COURSE, EVEN GOOD INTENTIONS-AND GOOD STARTS are not enough. Nixon must start producing solutions to the nation's problems before long. His popularity is much greater now than when he was the GOP's candidate but honeymoons do not last forever. The sniping is certain to begin soon. It will come from Democrats, largely liberals, but even from Republicans, disgruntled by the lack of attention they're getting from their party head.
Together, these groups can mount formidable opposition to White House proposals that require legislation. Quite a few of Nixon's programs will, in fact, need such approval.
STRONG OPPOSITION ALREADY LED NIXON TO KEEP the controversial OEO-the ill-fated Office of Economic Opportunity-which he promised to torpedo. It seems likely to hem in his effort to deal with the problems of poverty-his tax-incentive idea for job training and ghetto investment, for example. And his attempt to win tough voluntary import quotas for the textile mills may only whet Congress' appetite for mandatory curbs on scores of products.
SPENDING FOR ABM-THE ANTIBALLISTIC MISSLE WILL SPARK a tussle. The thin program-and many big Pentagon ideas have aroused much hostility. Indeed, the entire "military-industrial complex" is on the defensive today. But Nixon cannot lose this one or he will lose control of defense outlays. So he will have to do some arm-twisting on Capitol Hill, the way LBJ did.
In the end, Nixon may get his way on the ABM-with perhaps $7 billion to start. The fact that he is still new in the White House will carry weight with those not so strongly opposed to the program. They won't want to put him down.
But it will cost Nixon some of his newly won and precious prestige and some Democratic good-will, too. The honeymoon may end this spring. That's when his big test comes.
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