Republican Response to President Roosevelt’s Social Security Plan
The idea of the federal government providing old age insurance, pensions, unemployment insurance,
health insurance, or other forms of social insurance are socialist ideas that run counter to the beliefs
that made this nation the industrial giant it is.
In fact, many Republicans in the Congress argue that the Roosevelt program would “destroy old-age
retirement systems set up by private industries.” The social security system President Roosevelt wants
to establish will create a dramatically larger federal government with more power over people’s lives
and more confusion.
President Roosevelt may call the amount deducted from a worker’s check a “contribution” but in reality
it is a tax. The deduction takes money from workers and employers and gives it to the government for a
long period of time. When consumers do not have money to spend on goods or services, the whole
economy suffers. Furthermore, this plan will add another burdensome tax on businesses when they are
struggling to survive in the midst of the Depression.
Also, the proposed program will encourage people to become careless about their personal savings and
private retirement plans. Social security is meant to provide only a basic level of income in order to
keep the elderly from falling into extreme poverty. Workers might begin to rely on social security as
their only form of retirement income and save less, or no money, on their own. In turn, the failure of
people to save for themselves would place pressure on the government to raise benefits and raise taxes.
Finally, the current proposal could cause unwanted changes in society because it sets the retirement age
for receiving benefits at 65. The law would encourage people to retire at age 65, even though some
could continue to work productively beyond that age.
The federal government should not be in the business of retirement savings at all. Private business is
better equipped to handle people’s money because the competitive nature of business makes it more
efficient and open to people’s needs. Why not simply require everyone to participate in some kind of
private retirement account?
Senator Long and Dr. Townsend’s Response to President Roosevelt’s Social Security Plan
A social security program makes sense in a modern society for the simple reason that it provides peace
of mind for the elderly. After years of work, people deserve a rest, and as they age and lose physical and
mental ability to perform their jobs as well as when they were younger, they deserve a chance to retire.
Paying money from the government to older Americans is the right thing to do. As the average lifespan
of Americans increases, many people are living well past the age of retirement. Given this increase in life
expectancy, those with modest incomes face a difficult decision: Should they deprive themselves of a
better standard of living now to save for later years or should they sacrifice their retirement life for a
better of standard of living while they are working? If they die soon after retirement, they will have
sacrificed all of their working years saving for retirement for nothing. Or, if they live into their 80s, but
did not save, they will have no means of support for the latter years of life. Also, what if a retired
person saved responsibly for many years and their savings was wiped out by an economic accident or a
severe illness that costs lots of money? Where will elderly Americans find the income they need
unexpectedly?
Unfortunately, the proposal made by President Roosevelt fails to meet the urgent needs of our aging
citizens and is far too conservative to be effective. Recently, Senator Huey Long of Louisiana and a
doctor named Francis Townsend from California have each called for some radical measures to address
these issues, and their plans are gaining a groundswell of public support. Senator Long’s Share Our
Wealth Society proposes that the government seize income and assets from the wealthiest American’s
for redistribution to those in need. He calls for providing $200.00 per month to all elderly Americans on
the agreement that they no longer work. Townsend recommends a general sales tax to provide old-age
pensions for all elderly people, whether or not they need it.
When appearing in front of the House Ways and Means Committee, Townsend argued that his ideas had
attracted the signatures of thousands of citizens. He followed this with the argument that, “Having been
shown this vision, do you think the people of America will be denied their right to attain it. “I say to you
that they will not, ” Representative John McGroarty charged that Roosevelt’s plan amounted to
“nothing” and argued that Congress should pass a Social Security bill that required all Americans 60 and
older to leave their jobs and accept the $200.00 monthly handout. “Thirty million of your countrymen
and countrywomen want this bill enacted. “For God’ s sake” roared McGroarty, “pass this bill.”
It is time for the United States to take a stand against poverty, inequality, and the abuses of capitalism.
By supporting a more radical plan than that advocated by Roosevelt, more people will be helped, the
problems of the depression will be assuaged, and all Americans at last can have the economic safety
they deserve.
The Social Security Debate:
Why are the Republicans opposed to President Roosevelt’s Social Security program? (Give three
reasons)
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What slogan would you suggest the Republicans adopt for their campaign against President Roosevelt’s
Social Security program?
Why are Senator Long and Mr. Townsend opposed to President Roosevelt’s Social Security program?
(Give three reasons)
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What slogan would you suggest Senator Long and Mr. Townsend adopt for their campaign against
President Roosevelt’s Social Security program?
How should President Roosevelt respond to these criticisms of his plan? President Roosevelt has asked
you to draft two paragraphs of his next Fireside Chat to respond to the critics of his Social Security Plan.
I have heard the critics speak. I have heard the Republican’s complaints. To respond to these complaints
I would say:
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I have also heard the comments of Senator Long and Mr. Townsend. To respond to these complaints I
would say:
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