Coolidge by Amity Shlaes

The President of the famed 1920's is the focus of this biography.  Calvin Coolidge lived by principles of economy: of speech, of spending, of government.  That he was put through a pressure cooker of politics in the office of the presidency makes him all the more impressive.  Diminutive in size, with red hair, he was constantly challenged by the likes of very powerful people like Henry Cabot Lodge.  The pressure of politics probably caused his death before he was able to enjoy any real retirement.

He was educated at Amherst, became known to speak briefly but efficiently and knew how to turn a phrase. His speeches reflected carefully crafted sentences.  His nickname was 'silent Cal' because he only spoke when he felt it necessary, thus, preferring listening to pontificating.

Coolidge preferred saving to spending and he believed in lowering taxes.  By lowering taxes, he felt he was putting money in people's pockets that would stimulate the economy.  He believed higher taxes stifled business since there was less discretionary money to move.  He was one of the few presidents that not only balanced the federal budget but showed a surplus!  He believed in the private sector - private organization should take care of the social ills and problems (the Red Cross, the Salvation Army are just a couple of examples non government agencies that care for the welfare of the public instead of the Federal Government)

The government did not grow as fast under his watch because he believed in the constitutional idea of 'Limited Government'.

Progressives assailed him.  For example, Samuel Gompers, the famous union leader was a constant rival and yet it was Coolidge that would not cave to the pressures demonstrations and strikes.  Coolidge developed the reputation of a strike breaker and actually gained the respect from Gompers.  He valued personal freedom over equality for all. When the Boston Police department went on strike, Coolidge won and proved that public servants that restore the public peace cannot go on strike because that would only create and encourage anarchy.

For anyone who is interested in conservative values and wants to see how such principles can be implemented and succeed, and created one of greatest peacetime economic boons, this is a great study.