A Minor reassessment of FDR

I have often said (and often been taken to task for saying) that FDR was easily one of the worst President's ever. And for the most part, for the same reasons, I still believe that. However, that is for long-term consequences we are still paying today. There is a reason he was often called "Franklin 'Deficit' Roosevelt".
But one area where certainly he was great was his impact on the morale of the nation. As I (and many others) have pointed out, his programs were completely ineffective in reducing unemployment or abject poverty(as late as 1935, ONE-THIRD of eligible U.S. workers were unemployed...a staggering number, although to be fair, it was a situation FDR inherited, not caused or exacerberated), he stood in direct opposition to the previous administration in a very important way.
When the Mississippi Valley was smacked with devastating floods, Hoover did nothing. As you may have picked up on, I am currently studying Will Rogers, and here were his thoughts on the matter.
"Look at the thousands of Negroes that never did have much, but now it's all washed away. Don't forget that water is just as high up on them as if they were white. No matter what color you are you require about the same amount of nourishment." Although Will had been guilty, from time to time, of holding thoughtless, demeaning stereotypes about black people, he never was a racist. Certainly, when succor for Negroes was needed, he eagerly recommended that people forget color and social status." Robinson, Ray, Will Rogers, A life of Will Rogers, Oxford, New York, 1996, p. 191
As I have said about more recent flooding, there may be nothing a person can do by being on the ground, but by at least giving the appearance of trying to do something, morale can improve. It is the responsibility of the President to LEAD the nation, not stand by wringing their hands and saying how terrible things are.
Hence the partial reassessment of FDR.
"The whole country is with him. Even if what he does is wrong, they are with him, just as long as he does something." ibid., p. 233
What Rogers said was accurate. FDR did nothing to materially improve the situation and, in fact, heavily mortgaged the future, but in contrast to the helpless feeling engendered by Hoover, who vacuumed all the spirit out of the people (sorry, bad joke, couldn't resist), FDR at least made an attempt.
I have a long-standing policy of agreeing with people when I believe they are right and criticizing them when I believe they are wrong. And I must say, from the bottom of my heart, I believe the reaction of Bush to the stuff in New Orleans is dead wrong.
My little sister and her craft group raised several thousand dollars of relief money. That is DOING something. Football players trying to make teams have left their teams to help get people out of the city...putting a career in jeopardy. Meanwhile, it took Bush HOW LONG to get there?
Why is not every available vehicle on its way to New Orleans? The money for some sort of gevernment program to reimburse people for fuel would be a pittance compared to the foreign aid we give away. The use of soldiers, bot Regular Army and the various National Guards would be invaluable. It might be the wrong move, but it would palpably illustrate that the "leaders' of the country care.
My estimation of Bush has not been particularly high for quite some time, although it never reached the depths that many of his ardent detractors feel. In this case, however, he has struck rock bottom.