Today's Letter pays homage to one of the great leaders of our time, Frances Perkins. She was the force behind The Social Security Act, passed on this day in 1935. The Act not only made payments to seniors, it also '...established unemployment insurance; aid to homeless, dependent, and neglected children; funds to promote maternal and chi…
Today's Letter pays homage to one of the great leaders of our time, Frances Perkins. She was the force behind The Social Security Act, passed on this day in 1935. The Act not only made payments to seniors, it also '...established unemployment insurance; aid to homeless, dependent, and neglected children; funds to promote maternal and child welfare; and public health services. It was a sweeping reworking of the relationship of the government to its citizens, using the power of taxation to pool funds to provide a basic social safety net.' (Letter)
Another American woman has been playing a crucial role in providing health care insurance for millions who had been excluded. She is also clawing back the social net, which was pulled away from the American people starting with Reaganomics in the 1980s.
That woman is Madame Speaker of the House, our House, and her name is Nancy Pelosi.
In her book 'Madam Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, And The Lessons of Power', Susan Page '... approaches the speaker as a study in power. The result is a biography... 'with her as a history-changing force — it’s a kind of Great Woman biography in the style usually reserved for great men.'
“They keep underestimating this f---ing broad,” former California congressman John Burton tells Page, an insight that repeats itself through Pelosi’s life. “They didn’t get how godd--- tough she would be.”
With reference to the Affordable Care Act, ' She was reportedly the one who suggested using the reconciliation process to amend the bill and make important changes. And when Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, pushed for a radically scaled-back bill perhaps focused on covering children first, Pelosi responded with what Page calls “an extraordinary demonstration of political hardball”: She told Obama it was either the comprehensive bill or nothing. He could go big or go home.' Page titles her chapter about the Affordable Care Act '... “PelosiCare,” since the speaker was the most significant force pushing President Barack Obama’s White House to fulfill its health-care promises.' (Washington Post, Book Review)
Pelosi has been pivotal in the attempts to win back the people's safety net.
'Senate Passes $3.5 Trillion Budget Plan, Advancing Safety Net Expansion'
'The blueprint, which would expand health care, provide free preschool and community college, and fund climate change programs, passed along party lines and faces an arduous path ahead.
enacting a vast expansion of the nation’s social safety net, approving a $3.5 trillion budget blueprint along party lines that would allow Democrats to tackle climate change and fund health care, child care, family leave and public education expansion.'
'Much of that spending would be paid for with higher taxes on wealthy people and corporations.'
'Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California has just a three-vote margin in the House, and a half dozen moderates are considering whether to oppose the blueprint unless they get a scheduled vote on the Senate-passed infrastructure bill — to claim a quick victory and a White House bill-signing ceremony.'
'Ms. Pelosi told House Democrats on Wednesday in a private call that she would not take up the bill before the Senate passed the second, larger package.'
“I am not freelancing — this is the consensus,” Ms. Pelosi told Democrats, according to two people familiar with the discussion, who disclosed the comments on the condition of anonymity. “The votes in the House and Senate depend on us having both bills.”
There she is, our Nancy. She has done well for the American people, and she is not stopping. I thought on this day honoring Frances Perkins, we might also give a cheer to Madame Speaker, Nancy Pelosi.
Thanks, Fern. Will order this book today. And thanks for reminding us there are powerful women today, like Frances Perkins, who are standing tall against those who would push us down.
Gotta read this book. Maybe it'll relieve me of my fury at the right-on white male "progressives" who thought one of their number would make a better Speaker. Or maybe it'll just make it worse.
Today's Letter pays homage to one of the great leaders of our time, Frances Perkins. She was the force behind The Social Security Act, passed on this day in 1935. The Act not only made payments to seniors, it also '...established unemployment insurance; aid to homeless, dependent, and neglected children; funds to promote maternal and child welfare; and public health services. It was a sweeping reworking of the relationship of the government to its citizens, using the power of taxation to pool funds to provide a basic social safety net.' (Letter)
Another American woman has been playing a crucial role in providing health care insurance for millions who had been excluded. She is also clawing back the social net, which was pulled away from the American people starting with Reaganomics in the 1980s.
That woman is Madame Speaker of the House, our House, and her name is Nancy Pelosi.
In her book 'Madam Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, And The Lessons of Power', Susan Page '... approaches the speaker as a study in power. The result is a biography... 'with her as a history-changing force — it’s a kind of Great Woman biography in the style usually reserved for great men.'
“They keep underestimating this f---ing broad,” former California congressman John Burton tells Page, an insight that repeats itself through Pelosi’s life. “They didn’t get how godd--- tough she would be.”
With reference to the Affordable Care Act, ' She was reportedly the one who suggested using the reconciliation process to amend the bill and make important changes. And when Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, pushed for a radically scaled-back bill perhaps focused on covering children first, Pelosi responded with what Page calls “an extraordinary demonstration of political hardball”: She told Obama it was either the comprehensive bill or nothing. He could go big or go home.' Page titles her chapter about the Affordable Care Act '... “PelosiCare,” since the speaker was the most significant force pushing President Barack Obama’s White House to fulfill its health-care promises.' (Washington Post, Book Review)
Pelosi has been pivotal in the attempts to win back the people's safety net.
'Senate Passes $3.5 Trillion Budget Plan, Advancing Safety Net Expansion'
'The blueprint, which would expand health care, provide free preschool and community college, and fund climate change programs, passed along party lines and faces an arduous path ahead.
enacting a vast expansion of the nation’s social safety net, approving a $3.5 trillion budget blueprint along party lines that would allow Democrats to tackle climate change and fund health care, child care, family leave and public education expansion.'
'Much of that spending would be paid for with higher taxes on wealthy people and corporations.'
'Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California has just a three-vote margin in the House, and a half dozen moderates are considering whether to oppose the blueprint unless they get a scheduled vote on the Senate-passed infrastructure bill — to claim a quick victory and a White House bill-signing ceremony.'
'Ms. Pelosi told House Democrats on Wednesday in a private call that she would not take up the bill before the Senate passed the second, larger package.'
“I am not freelancing — this is the consensus,” Ms. Pelosi told Democrats, according to two people familiar with the discussion, who disclosed the comments on the condition of anonymity. “The votes in the House and Senate depend on us having both bills.”
There she is, our Nancy. She has done well for the American people, and she is not stopping. I thought on this day honoring Frances Perkins, we might also give a cheer to Madame Speaker, Nancy Pelosi.
Book review link below:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/nancy-pelosi-a-study-in-power/2021/04/20/189482a0-9ed1-11eb-8005-bffc3a39f6d3_story.html
May we all be F***ing Broads in our lives. Thanks Fern!
Thank you, Fern. This is a great add-on to today's Letter.
Thank you, Becky. I was looking for an opportunity to have Nancy on the Forum.
We don't want her retiring just yet!
Thank you. Based your review, I’ve requested this book from the public library , which is another invaluable public resource.
Joan, the book review was by the writer with the Washington Post, but I take full responsibility for my comment. Happy Sunday!
Thanks, Fern. Will order this book today. And thanks for reminding us there are powerful women today, like Frances Perkins, who are standing tall against those who would push us down.
May Kamala stay strong.
Nancy Pelosi represents us very well. As did Frances in crafting a social net that made it into law. Thank you, Fern.
Thank you Fern, and that's the reason that republicans hate her, while every sane American should be thankful for her grit and wisdom.
Exactly Nancy! 💯
Thank you, Fern. Eye opening and heart warming
If only we all had one of 'em. We all could do with one over here and nary a one in sight! Thanks Fern for bringing up the best of examples.
Are you talking Pelosi's or margaritas Stuart?!
Cheers, MaryPat! Rather i was talking about the on-going drought...of leadership male or female.
I can drink to that!
Thank you Fern for giving a big hurrah for Nancy Pelosi! She is stunning and strong and determined!
Next up on my reading list. Thanks Fern! Pelosi is a force of nature.
in very high heels!
Thank you, Fern, for the recap (helps to cement The Letter better in my overwhelmed brain), and the modern version in Nancy Pelodi. CHEERS!!
I'd love one of those Margaritas, MaryPat, please.
😄
That's very nice but not what I requested!!
Gotta read this book. Maybe it'll relieve me of my fury at the right-on white male "progressives" who thought one of their number would make a better Speaker. Or maybe it'll just make it worse.
Ty Fern!
Thank you, Fern, I will read this book, as well.
Our Nancy, goddess tough - thank you, Fern!!
Great post. I’ll buy the book.thanks! D