ford domestic

Stagflation - ford

Inherited a troubled economy with high inflation, unemployment and a recession

• inflation peaked around 12% in 1974

• Unemployment at 7.7% (1976)

WIN(whip inflation now) campaign

1974 ford introduced WIN campaign, encouraged Americans to reduce spending/ be frugal

• campaign was widely ridiculed, as it placed to much emphasis on individuals rather than policy changes

Tax and budget policies

Ford aimed to reduce inflation through fiscal conservatism - controlling spending while encouraging growth

• proposed 16 billion tax cut for businesses and individuals

• Called for a 4 billion reduction in federal spending

• Vetoed 66 bills related to government spending although 12 were overridden by congress

Energy policy

Ford emphasised energy independence after oil crisis

Proposed the energy policy and conservation act (1975)

• created fuel efficiency standards for automobiles

• Established the strategic petroleum reserve to gaurd against further oil supply shortages

Social and domestic programs

Ford - fiscal conservative - believer of limited government support for social programs

• carried on key programs like social security but resisted most new federal programs

• did sign education for all handicapped children act (1975) which gaurenteed access to public education for children with disabilities.

Equal rights amendment

ERA - equal rights amendment 1972

• puts gender equality in constitution

• Never ratified

Role of betty ford

Betty Ford advocated for ERA plus awareness for breast cancer issues

• her addiction to painkillers and alchol led her to set up betty ford clinics, centres for addiction

• Ford himself did little himself for all domestic issues in favour of self help, wife was more popular

• Betty also endorsed gay rights in 1973

Taylor vs Louisiana case

• Supreme court ruled against excluding women from jury service

• 1975

Action taken by congress on women

Congress passed a law banning the use of federal funds for abortion through Medicare - known as The Hyde amendment

1975 - first law against marital rape

Corruption scandals - Ford

Otto Kerner - federal judge appointed by LBJ convicted of bribery, mail fraud and tax evasion (1974)

Ford pardons Nixon - Nixon avoids criminal charges suspicions that Ford was involved in scandal of watergate

1975 - church committee - a senate led committee investigating abuse of power by CIA IRS FBI, highlighting assassination attempts on forign leaders

1976 - earl butz fords secutary of agriculture forced to resign after racist remarks to African Americans