Now the person i am going to be talking about is well known for anyone who follows the era in which he lived but is not as well known in the general population. His name was Huey Long a Louisiana governor turned presidential candidate in the 1930s. He was well known for his radical views here is his major policy called share the wealth.

1 No person would be allowed to accumulate a personal net worth of more than 300 times the average family fortune, which would limit personal assets to between $5 million and $8 million. A graduated capital levy tax would be assessed on all persons with a net worth exceeding $1 million.

2 Annual incomes would be limited to $1 million and inheritances would be capped at $5 million.

3 Every family was to be furnished with a homestead allowance of not less than one-third the average family wealth of the country. Every family was to be guaranteed an annual family income of at least $2,000 to $2,500, or not less than one-third of the average annual family income in the United States. Yearly income, however, cannot exceed more than 300 times the size of the average family income.

4An old-age pension would be made available for all persons over 60.

5 To balance agricultural production, the government would preserve/store surplus goods, abolishing the practice of destroying surplus food and other necessities due to lack of purchasing power.

6 Veterans would be paid what they were owed (a pension and healthcare benefits).

7 Free education and training for all students to have equal opportunities in all schools, colleges, universities, and other institutions for training in the professions and vocations of life.

8The raising of revenue and taxes for the support of this program was to come from the reduction of swollen fortunes from the top, as well as for the support of public works to give employment whenever there may be any slackening necessary in private enterprise.

His legacy is a varied one some consider him to b the greatest populist leader in American history whilst others consider him to be a would be dictator. He was assassinated by the son of a political opponent in 1935. His funeral was attended by over 200,000 people and his assassins funeral was attended by many people as well. He is possibly also one of the best third party candidates seen in American history. The best book on him if you want to know more is TW Williams book Huey Long. Some other sources you can look at are as follows.

This is a copy of an article written by an opponent of Huey Long

http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/hist409/long/carter.html

Here is his most famous speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hphgHi6FD8k