On August 14, 1935, Social Security would start to lift 4 million seniors out of poverty - the equivalent of about 20 million today.
I remember my grandparents saying it was extremely gratifying to know they wouldn't have to move in with us (my dad being the eldest son), because Mr Roosevelt got them paid enough to live on their own.
I was pretty happy about it too. I had just gotten my own bedroom, and I was sure I'd have to give that up if Grandma and Grandpa Roberts moved in with us - and it didn't help that I didn't like them very much.
Right now, about 40% of all Americans 65 and older get close to half of their income from Social Security.
I really don't want to get up one fine morning to learn that my payout was short by about a third this month because, "Oops - Wall Street fucked up - again - maybe it won't be so bad next month."
Assholes like Scott Bessent and Rick Scott use the word "privatize" as coded shorthand. What it means is:
"The pricks on Wall Street are going to make boatloads of money no matter what happens, and the rest of you can piss off and sell apples down on the street corner. We own this place and you're just here to fill our pockets."
We need to start a concerted effort to make sure "Privatize" is considered a dirty word.
Anyway,
Happy 90th Birthday
Social Security
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