On this day in 1935, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. While FDR’s New Deal had put in place new measures to regulate business and banking and had provided temporary work relief to combat the Depression, this law permanently changed the nature of the American government.
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.
Just like the Critical Race Theory, American history classes DO need to include women's historical contributions, like Frances Perkins. And actually, as a woman, I feel that contributions by ALL previously marginalized Americans should be taught. Because the truth is and always has been that behind every successful white man in our entire history, there were always women and minorities. We just haven't been taught that.
May I ask a favor? It has nothing to do w/today’s essay & Dr Richardson I apologize for this but I am hoping it will be okay.
I had my Moderna booster Sat (no spleen) & am feeling quite rough. Could someone please send me positive thots? You don’t have to write it here - I don’t want to interrupt this lovely essay. Temp is 102.4 x 8 hours, every joint aches, & so on (like a flu shot x 100). I believe positive thots & well wishes can help.
I do not regret getting the shot & would do it again. So please no lectures on vaccines. Night time exacerbates feeling alone. My cat is trying to help but I thot I would ask. I went through this w/shot 2 but to a lesser extent so I know I’ll get thru it. Just feeling quite rough.
Frances Perkins - one of the true Greats of America.
One other thing to know is that the original Social Security Act excluded jobs primarily filled by people of color - that was how it got through a congress dominated by Senate and House committee chairmen (lords of their fiefs) all from the "Solid South." But it was a law. Which meant it existed, it could be amended and expanded. And it was - it took all the way to 1968 before we had a Social Security system that we would recognize now.
Which is the same thing that is happening to the Affordable Care Act. The new 3.5T budget bill has expansion of support for people to get health insurance, it expands Medicare to include dental, hearing and vision, etc.
That's how political progress gets made - not by miles but by millimeters.
Thanks HCR for taking time from your weekend--and I know probably only about a week before your uni term begins--to talk about Frances Perkins, one of the unsung people who designed the programs for which FDR took credit. One of my grad students, over a decade ago, wrote a MA thesis on her. She corralled Eleanor Roosevelt effectively to convince all those white boyz to support her ideas and she knew that she had to make her own compromises to get it done. Her vision was far more expansive than the original SSA but she knew that if she demanded perfection the good would never come to fruition. So she accepted the inevitable domination of white patriarchy over everyone in order to drive the first wedge into their mastery.
Oh how I wish that some of our young and brilliant-but-overly-rigidly-idealist congresspeople would read this and think about their stance. The whole "holding my breath until I turn blue" routine is not helpful.
Young ppl don’t seem to realize that they are living thru history, but when you get to three-fourths of a century, you can see it. I was born a day after FDR won his 4th term as president in 1944. He was possibly the greatest president of my lifetime and the absolute worst president ever ruined my 72nd birthday in 2016.
My parents went thru the Great Depression and were often hungry. I remember after my grandfather in MS died at 64 in 1960, my grandmother was soon surviving on his Social Security benefits. In 2009 at age 65, I was invited to the local Social Security office to discuss my benefits, having reached the minimum age to retire. I was working an office job and planned to continue working until I turned 70, but the worker noticed that I was eligible for my deceased wife’s benefits while still working since we were married for over 10 years. (Something to consider for all those ppl who live as partners and say, “marriage is just a piece of paper.” Also, it shows the financial unfairness to all those long-term gay couples before their marriages were made legal). So, I continued working while my SS benefits increased, and getting a supplement income from my wife’s SS payments.
Now I am surviving on my social security payments (on which I still pay income tax) and some savings from an inheritance. At about $1500 a month, it barely covers my monthly expenses (rent alone is $1K) but, without it I would still be dragging my weary self into some job every day despite not being up to it, and at minimum wage would be making only $1200 a month. I would probably have to give up Internet & TV and wouldn’t even get to see Bezos’ billion dollar joy ride to the edge of space.
As someone observed on FB (and paraphrased here), it seems men go into politics more often for fame and fortune and women do so to get something done. From anecdotal experience, the intent to get something done sure can upset and draw the ire of the “old boys network” 🤣
Thank you Prof Richardson! I am a social worker, and a recipient of social security which I paid into since age 16 and am forever grateful to receive as my own best laid financial plans have not left me w a lot of squiggle room, but the basics of my life are paid for by my Social Security Ck each month!
I am also a voter who tries to understand the issues before I make decisions about my votes. Your efforts have and continue to expand my understanding of often complex issues. I am forever grateful you continue to write to all of us, for our votes will count toward keeping our country strong and safe for all of us in months & years to come.
A client, fairly well heeled, screamed her indignation at the possibility of socialism. I asked her what she thought about Social Security and Medicare. Falling deeply into my trap (heh heh), she said she liked both of those things in her life. I told her that was basically Socialism to which she looked like a deer in the headlights and had no response. Conversation ended.
Thanks you for this wonderful history lesson. Mt Holyoke has a program called "the Frances Perkins Program" for women returning to college to complete their undergraduate degree after a break. It is meant to empower women to be leaders like Frances Perkins. Although I am not a "Perkins scholar", I did return to complete my undergraduate degree at Smith College as an "Ada Comstock Scholar". The "Ada" program is very like the Frances Perkins program. Empowering women to be the leaders needed in this country is more important than ever. WE can make a difference!
Perkins is an unsung hero. If you have not read the fabulous book about her, you really should. Here is a simple link to help: https://francesperkinscenter.org/life-new/
To call her the architect of social “support” in the 20th century would be selling her short. Her vision is essentially what our friends on the right are trying to dismantle, basically…if you give FDR all the credit, or blame, you need to know this brilliant human. Oh, and SHE deserves a postage stamp…:)
Thank you, Dr. Heather, for another history lesson that amazes me because of what I don't recall learning about. I feel that I have gotten way more than my money's worth from my subscription to your Letters, not only for these extremely interesting history lessons but also from the community you have built here, as I have also learned from others' comments.
This amazing letter should be sent to Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Kristen Sinema and all other woman Senators as inspiration to take up the torch for social responsibility. Women somehow get it more than men when it comes to knowing how we all need to bond with each other to create social stability and community support. The lessons of Francis Perkins’ life and her accomplishments might be inspiring to those women in the Senate who currently hold power and have the power to transform the Senate to make Biden’s social agendas reality. I think McConnell is counting on the Democrats to implode over these two bills. Just a few Senate women can come together in the name of Francis Perkins and prove him wrong! How inspiring this letter is and full of the kind of hope we desperately need right now! Then onward to voting rights!
Thanks for this great tribute to Frances Perkins. Can’t resist mentioning that in the movie Dirty Dancing Baby tells Johnny that her real name is Frances, “after the first woman in the Cabinet.”
The idea of “rugged individualism” is bs promoted by politicians to justify not doing a damn thing to address our society’s problems. There are so many problems that require group action to solve. John Donne, 400 years ago, said “No man is an island. . .”
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
Just like the Critical Race Theory, American history classes DO need to include women's historical contributions, like Frances Perkins. And actually, as a woman, I feel that contributions by ALL previously marginalized Americans should be taught. Because the truth is and always has been that behind every successful white man in our entire history, there were always women and minorities. We just haven't been taught that.
May I ask a favor? It has nothing to do w/today’s essay & Dr Richardson I apologize for this but I am hoping it will be okay.
I had my Moderna booster Sat (no spleen) & am feeling quite rough. Could someone please send me positive thots? You don’t have to write it here - I don’t want to interrupt this lovely essay. Temp is 102.4 x 8 hours, every joint aches, & so on (like a flu shot x 100). I believe positive thots & well wishes can help.
I do not regret getting the shot & would do it again. So please no lectures on vaccines. Night time exacerbates feeling alone. My cat is trying to help but I thot I would ask. I went through this w/shot 2 but to a lesser extent so I know I’ll get thru it. Just feeling quite rough.
Thank you kindly.
Frances Perkins - one of the true Greats of America.
One other thing to know is that the original Social Security Act excluded jobs primarily filled by people of color - that was how it got through a congress dominated by Senate and House committee chairmen (lords of their fiefs) all from the "Solid South." But it was a law. Which meant it existed, it could be amended and expanded. And it was - it took all the way to 1968 before we had a Social Security system that we would recognize now.
Which is the same thing that is happening to the Affordable Care Act. The new 3.5T budget bill has expansion of support for people to get health insurance, it expands Medicare to include dental, hearing and vision, etc.
That's how political progress gets made - not by miles but by millimeters.
Thanks HCR for taking time from your weekend--and I know probably only about a week before your uni term begins--to talk about Frances Perkins, one of the unsung people who designed the programs for which FDR took credit. One of my grad students, over a decade ago, wrote a MA thesis on her. She corralled Eleanor Roosevelt effectively to convince all those white boyz to support her ideas and she knew that she had to make her own compromises to get it done. Her vision was far more expansive than the original SSA but she knew that if she demanded perfection the good would never come to fruition. So she accepted the inevitable domination of white patriarchy over everyone in order to drive the first wedge into their mastery.
Oh how I wish that some of our young and brilliant-but-overly-rigidly-idealist congresspeople would read this and think about their stance. The whole "holding my breath until I turn blue" routine is not helpful.
LIVING HISTORY
Young ppl don’t seem to realize that they are living thru history, but when you get to three-fourths of a century, you can see it. I was born a day after FDR won his 4th term as president in 1944. He was possibly the greatest president of my lifetime and the absolute worst president ever ruined my 72nd birthday in 2016.
My parents went thru the Great Depression and were often hungry. I remember after my grandfather in MS died at 64 in 1960, my grandmother was soon surviving on his Social Security benefits. In 2009 at age 65, I was invited to the local Social Security office to discuss my benefits, having reached the minimum age to retire. I was working an office job and planned to continue working until I turned 70, but the worker noticed that I was eligible for my deceased wife’s benefits while still working since we were married for over 10 years. (Something to consider for all those ppl who live as partners and say, “marriage is just a piece of paper.” Also, it shows the financial unfairness to all those long-term gay couples before their marriages were made legal). So, I continued working while my SS benefits increased, and getting a supplement income from my wife’s SS payments.
Now I am surviving on my social security payments (on which I still pay income tax) and some savings from an inheritance. At about $1500 a month, it barely covers my monthly expenses (rent alone is $1K) but, without it I would still be dragging my weary self into some job every day despite not being up to it, and at minimum wage would be making only $1200 a month. I would probably have to give up Internet & TV and wouldn’t even get to see Bezos’ billion dollar joy ride to the edge of space.
As someone observed on FB (and paraphrased here), it seems men go into politics more often for fame and fortune and women do so to get something done. From anecdotal experience, the intent to get something done sure can upset and draw the ire of the “old boys network” 🤣
Thank you Prof Richardson! I am a social worker, and a recipient of social security which I paid into since age 16 and am forever grateful to receive as my own best laid financial plans have not left me w a lot of squiggle room, but the basics of my life are paid for by my Social Security Ck each month!
I am also a voter who tries to understand the issues before I make decisions about my votes. Your efforts have and continue to expand my understanding of often complex issues. I am forever grateful you continue to write to all of us, for our votes will count toward keeping our country strong and safe for all of us in months & years to come.
A client, fairly well heeled, screamed her indignation at the possibility of socialism. I asked her what she thought about Social Security and Medicare. Falling deeply into my trap (heh heh), she said she liked both of those things in her life. I told her that was basically Socialism to which she looked like a deer in the headlights and had no response. Conversation ended.
Thanks you for this wonderful history lesson. Mt Holyoke has a program called "the Frances Perkins Program" for women returning to college to complete their undergraduate degree after a break. It is meant to empower women to be leaders like Frances Perkins. Although I am not a "Perkins scholar", I did return to complete my undergraduate degree at Smith College as an "Ada Comstock Scholar". The "Ada" program is very like the Frances Perkins program. Empowering women to be the leaders needed in this country is more important than ever. WE can make a difference!
Perkins is an unsung hero. If you have not read the fabulous book about her, you really should. Here is a simple link to help: https://francesperkinscenter.org/life-new/
To call her the architect of social “support” in the 20th century would be selling her short. Her vision is essentially what our friends on the right are trying to dismantle, basically…if you give FDR all the credit, or blame, you need to know this brilliant human. Oh, and SHE deserves a postage stamp…:)
Thank you, Dr. Heather, for another history lesson that amazes me because of what I don't recall learning about. I feel that I have gotten way more than my money's worth from my subscription to your Letters, not only for these extremely interesting history lessons but also from the community you have built here, as I have also learned from others' comments.
Thank you, and please get some sleep!💜
The most important and far reaching piece of legislation ever passed! It ended poverty for hundreds of millions of Americans.
This amazing letter should be sent to Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Kristen Sinema and all other woman Senators as inspiration to take up the torch for social responsibility. Women somehow get it more than men when it comes to knowing how we all need to bond with each other to create social stability and community support. The lessons of Francis Perkins’ life and her accomplishments might be inspiring to those women in the Senate who currently hold power and have the power to transform the Senate to make Biden’s social agendas reality. I think McConnell is counting on the Democrats to implode over these two bills. Just a few Senate women can come together in the name of Francis Perkins and prove him wrong! How inspiring this letter is and full of the kind of hope we desperately need right now! Then onward to voting rights!
Thanks for this great tribute to Frances Perkins. Can’t resist mentioning that in the movie Dirty Dancing Baby tells Johnny that her real name is Frances, “after the first woman in the Cabinet.”
The idea of “rugged individualism” is bs promoted by politicians to justify not doing a damn thing to address our society’s problems. There are so many problems that require group action to solve. John Donne, 400 years ago, said “No man is an island. . .”