On April 11, 1962, while the United States was recovering from a recession, President John F. Kennedy speaks out against the increasing price of steel by major steel corporations. Kennedy emphasizes that the increase in prices are “wholly unjustifiable and irresponsible defiance of the public interest” (4). Kennedy illustrates the steel industry’s defiance by emphasizing the struggle between classes, by contrasting the “sacrifice of every citizen” (15) to the money hungry industrialists, correlating to the safety of the American citizen during this dark time, and addressing the issue that there were “no justification for an increase in steel prices” (47). Kennedy manipulates and applies fear tactics in order to coerce the American people into supporting his call for a stable economy during this time of economic distress. Kennedy address his concerns of the “American people [who] have [the] right to expect … a higher sense of business responsibility for the welfare of their country” (103).
In his speech, Kennedy first appeals to the emotions of the American …show more content…
He expresses his concern for the increase in prices as it “would add … an estimated one billion dollars to the cost of our defense, at a time when every dollar is needed for national security and other purposes” (32). His plan was to transfer all the built up anger against the Soviet Union and aim them toward the steel corporations, providing him with the resources to get his regulations. He understands that he can prey on the tension and fears in order to make his plan plausible. Kennedy demonstrates his appeal to the common American by declaring that “every dollar is needed...” (32). Kennedy targets the common American as he understands that money is hard to earn while the rich wouldn’t really care about the the
In his speech, Kennedy first appeals to the emotions of the American …show more content…
He expresses his concern for the increase in prices as it “would add … an estimated one billion dollars to the cost of our defense, at a time when every dollar is needed for national security and other purposes” (32). His plan was to transfer all the built up anger against the Soviet Union and aim them toward the steel corporations, providing him with the resources to get his regulations. He understands that he can prey on the tension and fears in order to make his plan plausible. Kennedy demonstrates his appeal to the common American by declaring that “every dollar is needed...” (32). Kennedy targets the common American as he understands that money is hard to earn while the rich wouldn’t really care about the the