William Penn, 1964 (47. évfolyam, 5-21. szám)
1964-09-16 / 18. szám
PAGE 2 September 16, 1964. William Penn Essentials of Social Security in The United States The United States, in its early history, was a developing country with a vast frontier and a predominantly agricultural economy. One of the early forms of “social security” was the availability of up to 160 acres of free land, given by the Government to any person who wished to be a farmer. American citizens have always been encouraged to provide their own security, to take advantage of the opportunities in a young nation, rich in natural resources, with a rapidly growing population. That everyone should plan for his own security remains a cherished heritage of the American people. Essential to the purpose is an economy that provides full employment at a high wage level. Today, the great majority of Americans have savings, life insurance, a home, and other forms of personal property that contribute to security as well as a high standard of living. Individual effort by itself, however, is not sufficient protection against the insecurities of a society now highly industrialized and urbanized. Such a society, while increasing the productive capacity of the nation manyfold and providing the basis for an ever-increasing standard of living, has created a dependence on cash income that was unknown in our earlier history. Also, the small, mobile family of today, while well-suited to an urbanindustrial economy, is less able than the three — or four — generation family of the past to provide mutual care and support. Therefore, the American people have acted through their Government to establish a social security system that protects against the risks common to all and against which citizens as individuals are unable to provide adequate safeguards. The system serves as a foundation on which individuals may build additional protection through their own efforts and with the help of their employers. The basic program is the national system of old-age, survivors, and disability insurance that now covers practically all persons who work for a living. Social insurance against other risks is provided through workmen’s compensation and unemployment insurance programs, administered by each State. Complementing these social insurance programs is a program of Federal grants to the States to help them provide financial assistance, medical care, and other services for needy people. THE BASIC SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM: Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance The basic program of old-age, survivors, and disability insurance — popularly called “social security” — merits description in some detail. Following are its main characteristics: 1. UNIVERSAL COVERAGE — The old-age, survivors, and disability insurance system is designed to cover all substantially gainfully employed persons regardless of income level or type of employment. Today, about nine-tenths of all gainfully employed persons are covered. The only major exclusions from coverage are physicians in practice for themselves; most policemen and firemen with their own separate retirement system; Federal employees under a special retirement system; persons working for themselves who have very low income; and farm and household workers with very low or irregular cash earnings. 2. BENEFITS PAID AS A MATTER OF RIGHT — A fundamental element in the social insurance program is that benefits are. paid as a matter of right, without regard to need and no matter how much property or income from investments or savings the individual may have. The individual’s rights under the program are specified in considerable detail in the law. 3. PROTECTION PROVIDED AGAINST THREE MAJOR RISES a. OLD-AGE RETIREMENT BENEFITS — Under the present law, benefits are payable to retired workers at age 65, or reduced-rate benefits may be paid as early as age 62. Benefits may also be paid to the following dependents: a wife or dependent husband age 62 or over, children under 18 or disabled before age 18, and a wife of any age caring for child entitled to benefits. b. SURVIVOR BENEFITS — Upon the death of an insured worker, monthly benefits are payable to a surviving widow or dependent widower age 62 or over, children under age 18 or disabled before 18, a mother who has such a child in her care, and dependent parents. A lump-sum death payment is also made. c. DISABILITY BENEFITS — Monthly benefits are payable to workers who are totally and permanently disabled and to their dependents who fall in the same categories as those of old-age beneficiaries. The law encourages rehabilitation of disabled workers under the Federal-State program of vocational rehabilitation. WAY TO THE TOP JOB A janitor once gave the United States a President. At the 1876 Republican Convention in Cincinnati, Robert G. Ingersoll delivered a stirring speech in nominating James G. Blaine. Had the delegates voted then, while still swayed by Ingersoll’s impassioned words, Blaine would have clinched the nomination. Because of the late hour, however, anti Blaine forces delayed the balloting by bribing the janitor to shut off the gas-lights. In pitch' darkness, the delegates adjourned until the next morning when free from the effects of Ingersoll’s silver-tongued oratory they nominated Rutherford B. Hayes. Mr. Hayes went on to win the election and become the nineteenth President. Actually, there is no sure way to the Presidency, but such bits of strategy or other fortunate circumstances have led some to the top job. Likewise some candidates have won or lost the White House because circumstances like a heat wave, a miscue or an oversight have worked for or against them. Similarly such incongruous factors as a nominees height or date of birth are reflected in the Presidential sweepstakes. Had Woodrow Wilson’s telegram to his campaign manager at the 1912 convention been heeded, he would never had become President. Following the progress of the balloting from his New Jersey home, Wilson became discouraged and wired his convention manager: “You are authorized to withdraw my name.” Mr. McCombs the campaign manager jammed the telegram into his pocket, refusing to recognize its pessimistic note. Several hours later Woodrow Wilson became the Democratic nominee in spite of himself. j A heat wave made Calvin Coolidge President. Sweltering days and humid nights monotonously followed each other in Chicago during the 1920 Republican convention. The delegates finally selected Warren Harding for the top spot. Completely ennervated after six days and nights of meetings, the delegates yearned to head for home. But nomination of the ticket’s second man remained on the agenda. To fill the position, the top brass figured on steamrollering Senator Lenroot of Wisconsin through the convention. However when the nominations for Vice President opened a delegate from Oregon shouted: “I move for the nomination of Calvin Coolidge of Vermont. I further move that the convention accept him by acclamation.” Frazzled delegates roared their approval. Even the harried, perspiring party bigwigs didn’t have heart enough to engage in a hectic struggle. Mr. Coolidge won the nomination with scarcely a murmur of dissent. The Republicans took the election and upon the subsequent death of President Harding, Mr. Coolidge moved into the White House. It wasn’t a smokefilled room at the 1840 Whig convention that caused John Tyler to burst into tears. It was the nomination of William Harrison over Tyler’s friend, Henry Clay. The sight of Tyler’s tears so touched the delegates that they named him as the vice presidential running mate. The ticket won at the polls. One month after inauguration, Harrison died, automatically raising lachrymal John Tyler to the Presidency. Tyler’s and Coolidge’s elections to the top job prove that a good way to become President is to be Vice President first. Indeed, since 1787, eight Vice Presidents have succeeded to the Presidency through the President’s death. Three others, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Martin Van Buren won the top job after serving as Vice President. For more than one hundred years the country has not had as many as four Presidents in succession without having one who was originally Vice President. Yet the Vice Presidency has always been regarded with scorn and at least one man missed the White House because of his disdain for the second spot. Daniel Webster refused the Vice Presidential nomination twice, commenting that: “I do not propose to be buried until I am really dead and in my coffin.” Ironically, Webster would have succeeded to the Presidency both times had he accepted the offers, for both tickets won the election and both Presidents Harrison and Taylor died in office. Circumstances conspire to make a President in strange ways. The election of 1824 was so close that the House of Representatives decided it in February 1825. Things ultimately reached the point where the deciding vote depended on New York Congressman Stephen Van Rensselaer who could not decide between John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. A pious man, the Congressman bent his head in prayer. Upon opening his eyes, he glimpsed at a crumpled ballot under his desk with Adams name on it. At(Continued on page 6)
