The Man Who Gave Us Social Security

[mrjarrell]

His name was Dr. Francis Everett Townsend and he's the one who got the ball rolling. It's a really interesting story about the man and a grass roots movement (spearheaded by lots of republicans) that gave us the government run "pension" system. One man on a mission started the movement and FDR got the credit (for implementing a less "radical" version). You learn something new everyday. This one came my way via an article L. Neil Smith crafted, calling for a renewal of the "Townsend Clubs" that would focus on the Bill of Rights and a renewal of freedom. Both are well worth a read.

Dr. Francis Everett Townsend, Citizen Wonk | Politics | The American Scene

 

[Bunnykid68]

the Dangerous Babies article was great reading

 

[DragonGunner]

I always heard FDR an the (D) started it...most people back then didn't live as long as they do now, FDR thought it was great way to get money an by the time you retire you would be dead......oooopps. Government is so smart aren't they.

 

[mrjarrell]

I always heard FDR an the (D) started it...most people back then didn't live as long as they do now, FDR thought it was great way to get money an by the time you retire you would be dead......oooopps. Government is so smart aren't they.

What you hear and what actually happened sometimes aren't the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

 

[CarmelHP]

I always heard FDR an the (D) started it...most people back then didn't live as long as they do now, FDR thought it was great way to get money an by the time you retire you would be dead......oooopps. Government is so smart aren't they.

Roosevelt did start it, but he started it because Townsend was being talked about as a rival for the 1936 Democrat nomination, along with Father Coughlin from the left of FDR. Roosevelt answer to them was called "co-opting," taking their most popular issues and putting FDR's stamp on them (what was called "triangulation" in the 90's). Townsend was selling a story that old people were committing suicide in droves so as not to be a burden on their families and a generous comprehensive pension system was the answer to that. Roosevelt co-opted the idea to eliminate the threat from his left.

I remember this all from high school social studies class.

 

[DragonGunner]

Roosevelt did start it, but he started it because Townsend was being talked about as a rival for the 1936 Democrat nomination, along with Father Coughlin from the left of FDR. Roosevelt answer to them was called "co-opting," taking their most popular issues and putting FDR's stamp on them (what was called "triangulation" in the 90's). Townsend was selling a story that old people were committing suicide in droves so as not to be a burden on their families and a generous comprehensive pension system was the answer to that. Roosevelt co-opted the idea to eliminate the threat from his left.

I remember this all from high school social studies class.

I knew I was right, I'm always right.....about the truth, all the truth, all the time, an thats the truth...always.The left always trys to rewrite history an re-sell it.....an thats the truth too.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

The man that gave us Socialist Security. He's right here:

Zueindreieckbilden (triangluate in German)

 

[spencer rifle]

The man that gave us Socialist Security. He's right here:

Zueindreieckbilden (triangluate in German)

No, Bismarck gave the Germans "social security," not Americans. And it took effect at 70, at a time (the 1880s) when most people did not live nearly that long.

 

[Stschil]

Both good reads. I still can't grasp why, even in those days, people have the idea that it's governments responsibility to take care of them. I was raised differently, my upbringing included a large influence from Grandparents that grew up in the depression. What we couldn't afford to buy outright, we didn't have. Things were taken care of to prolong their usefulness and they were repaired when they were broken, not thrown away.
I guess I was born in the wrong era.

 

[M1 carbine dad]

I'm reading a great book called "33 questions about American History you're not supposed to ask".

There's a section on it regarding Social In-Security. I'll re-read and post some highlights.

One thing that was mentioned was how it was sold to the public to get them to buy into it. It was sold as and "insurance" instead of a "tax". But when a case came along where the Amish didn't want to pay it because of their religious beliefs regarding insurance. They stated they were OK paying a tax, but not paying for any kind of insurance.

The gov't told them that it was indeed a tax and the Amish were OK with paying it.

There were other cases before and after though where the gov't position was that SS was an "insurance" and NOT a tax.

So, the gov't will say anything it has to to make sure the revenue stream keeps a-comin' no matter if they have to bend, break or wormhole the truth to do it.

Like I said, I will post more on this when I re-read the chapter.
Good book though and one I highly recommend.

Peace (through superior firepower)

 

[Kirk Freeman]

No, Bismarck gave the Germans "social security," not Americans. And it took effect at 70, at a time (the 1880s) when most people did not live nearly that long.

Right, and no one, absolutely no one knew about that highly secret German law, except for some dude named Ponzi.