Democratic (socialist/fascist) President Carter delivers his “Crisis of Confidence Address” (a.k.a. the “Malaise Speech”) to the nation:

       It’s clear that the true problems of our Nation are much deeper—deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation or recession.  And I realize more than ever that as President I need your help.  So, I decided to reach out and listen to the voices of America.

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       [A]ll the legislation in the world can’t fix what’s wrong with America.  So, I want to speak to you first tonight about a subject even more serious than energy or inflation.  I want to talk to you right now about a fundamental threat to American democracy.

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       … It is a crisis of confidence.  It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will.  We can see this crisis in the growing doubt about the meaning of our own lives and in the loss of a unity of purpose for our [n]ation.

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       Our people are losing that faith, not only in government itself but in the ability as citizens to serve as the ultimate rulers and shapers of our democracy. …

       The symptoms of this crisis of the American spirit are all around us. For the first time in the history of our country a majority of our people believe that the next 5 years will be worse than the past 5 years. Two-thirds of our people do not even vote. The productivity of American workers is actually dropping, and the willingness of Americans to save for the future has fallen below that of all other people in the Western world.

       [T]here is a growing disrespect for government and for churches and for schools, the news media, and other institutions. …

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       … The gap between our citizens and our Government has never been so wide. …

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       … What can we do?

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       … I will do my best, but I will not do it alone.  Let your voice be heard.  Whenever you have a chance, say something good about our country.

       NOTE: Although Carter used the word “country” here, the editors believe that he meant to use the word “nation,” in which a central government, with almost limitless power, treats its constituent states as mere enclaves, provinces, or sub-divisions of its greater self; as opposed to “Union,” which is a union of sovereign States under a federal system, with a central government whose powers are strictly limited by a respected Constitution.

       [restored 8/2/2025]