Fair Deal

When Harry Truman became the President of the US for the second time, he put forward an ambitious set of proposals about New Deal liberalism under his administration's domestic agenda. The bold proposal was, however, not materialized due to the conservative views of the controlling Congress. This set of proposals is referred to as a “fair deal” in the history of the US nation.

In his second tenure as President, Truman addressed Congress in his first message after the war that expanding on social security, revised wages, and public-housing legislation is essential. He had realized the importance of these factors to develop a country in the long term. He also suggested implementing the permanent Fair Employment practices Act to prevent religious or racial harassment during and post-hiring the employees. As stated by Richard Neustadt, the important proposals were related to education and universal health insurance, which are all covered under the fair deal. However, only a few clauses of them turned out to become law, after which they got recognition by the GOP support system.

Truman was sure of introducing the New Deal and Economic Bill of Rights proposed by Franklin Roosevelt.  

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Proposals of Fair Deal Harry Truman

1. A special economic plan to control inflations

2. A quality and progressive taxation structure. 

3. Enhancement of minimum wage for improving the standard of living.

4. Implementation of the Taft-Hartley Act, 

5. To bring revolution in agriculture to implement Agricultural reform, 

6. Proper resource utilization and development and emphasis on public power.

7. Provision of proper medical-related Insurance, 

8. Improving the security of common people and society

9. Implementation of Federal housing programs, 

10. Desirable changes in the educational system

The President, however, faced many difficulties while passing the above fair deal Harry Truman liberal legislative program. However, the president won the election with the majority, and the group of politicians from the opposing party always dominated in both chambers.

The President suggested cloture reform by reducing the votes. This was necessary for the civil rights legislation. But this was a failure as the Senator defeated the proposal, and all the doors to provide more liberal legislation were gone. The revolutionary agricultural reform bill failed through the influence of the Farm Bureau federation. The American medical association was another barrier to passing healthcare-related bills. 

The Main Objectives of The Fair Deal

• Improvement of the social security to more people

• Increment of the minimum labour charge

• Creation of a Welfare department for the common people

• Providing more people access to the housing system.

• Improving health care facilities for a wide range of people

• New plans and programs to conserve biodiversity and development of rivers and raising funds for this.

• Create a fair policy in the employment sector and implement civil rights properly.

• The passing of anti-lynching laws to wipe out poll taxes which will ultimately protect civil liberties.

All the above fair deal objectives were checked to be authentically implemented from time to time. However, some complications still lead to its unexpected rejection. 

Why was The Fair Deal Rejected? 

The question about why the fair deal was rejected has worldwide importance. Many predictions have come up, but solid conclusions have never been addressed. 

When the question of why was the fair deal rejected asked for the first time, Truman addressed Congress and presented a 21-point program of domestic legislation outlining a series of proposed actions.

Major Improvements in The Coverage and Adequacy of the Unemployment Compensation System

• Substantial increases in the minimum wage, together with broader coverage.

• A systematic approach to eliminate 3rd party agencies towards legislation and take control over legal difficulties of people into account.

• Strong vision to provide fair policy in the employment sector and ensure full employment.

• Ensure a fair employment policy or a common law for all.

• Maintain a good relation with industrial sectors and improve productivity.

• Special facility in the service sector for military personnel.

• Provide appropriate aids to farmers.

• Wipe out the law against adding more volunteers and allow armed forces to add more volunteers.

• Make the housing system more accessible for the common people.

• Establishment of a single federal research agency for the entire country.

• Improvement in the taxation system.

• Proper utilization of available resources.

• Encourage small business holders to produce more and more and provide proper assistance to people.

• A special fund to conserve natural resources and increase public sector work.

• The introduction of a decent pay scale for all Federal Government employees—executive, legislative, and judicial.

• The promotion of the sale of ships to remove the uncertainty regarding the disposal of America's large surplus tonnage following the end of hostilities.

• Legislation to bring about the acquisition and retention of stockpiles of materials necessary for meeting the nation's defence needs. 

President Henry Truman was loyal to his thoughts, and he always planned for the betterment of common people, especially the labour category. The reason behind this was very simple. He knew that if any country had to progress towards developing, the best thing to do was lift the standard of common people and labour category. Most of the productivity comes from these two categories, and lifting morale and living standards would surely benefit the country in the longer run. He concentrated on health, welfare, labour, education, housing, veterans, agriculture, federal reclamation, and power projects.