The life of America is not the life that it was twenty years ago; it is not the life that it was ten years ago. We have changed our economic conditions, absolutely, from top to bottom; and, with our economic society, the organization of our life. The old political formulas do not fit the present problems; they read now like documents taken out of a forgotten age. . . .
The truth is, we are all caught in a great economic system which is heartless. The modern corporation is not engaged in business as an individual. When we deal with it, we deal with an impersonal element, an immaterial piece of society. A modern corporation is a means of cooperation in the conduct of an enterprise which is so big that no one man can conduct it, and which the resources of no one man are sufficient to finance. . . .
And do our laws take note of this curious state of things? Do they even attempt to distinguish between a man’s act as a corporation director and as an individual? They do not. Our laws still deal with us on the basis of the old system. The law is still living in the dead past which we have left behind.
How did Wilson attempt to address the issues discussed in the excerpt during his presidency?
A
.
He took an activist role in lawmaking and pushed for laws to protect workers and reduce the influence of corporations.
B.
He served as a caretaker president and signed congressional proposals to limit the bargaining power of large labor unions.
C.
He took an activist role in lawmaking and pushed for laws to reduce banking regulations that were slowing economic growth.
D
.
He served as a caretaker president and signed congressional proposals to provide health care and pensions for older Americans.
1 answer
A. He took an activist role in lawmaking and pushed for laws to protect workers and reduce the influence of corporations.
During his presidency, Woodrow Wilson advocated for progressive reforms through his New Freedom platform, which included measures aimed at regulating big business, supporting labor rights, and protecting consumers. He supported the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act, which aimed to dismantle monopolies and limit corporate influence.
