Few politicians have had as lasting and detrimental an impact on U.S. governance as Robert L. Doughton.
Serving in Congress for over four decades (1911–1953), Doughton helped shape some of the most sweeping expansions of federal power in U.S. history.
His policies, ranging from supporting high taxes to advocating for massive entitlement programs, left a legacy that prioritized government control over individual liberty.
Despite being celebrated for his role in projects like the Blue Ridge Parkway, Doughton’s broader impact on personal freedoms and economic freedom casts a long, dark shadow. In examining his career, it becomes clear that Doughton was one of the most damaging figures to the principles of limited government and free markets in U.S. and North Carolina history.
Hellbound and Down 