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"Townsend Weekly" Cartoon-
May 25, 1940
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This cartoon, from the Townsend Plan's "Weekly" newspaper,
expresses the group's main objection to Social Security--that it
was not generous enough in the benefits it offered. The Townsend
Plan promised every senior citizen $200 per month , regardless of
past earnings. Under the social insurance program of the Social
Security Act a worker whose earnings averaged $100 month for 40
years would collect a Social Security retirement benefit of only
$35 month. This gave the Townsend Plan an immediate appeal, which
is reflected in the cartoon. (Keep in mind, however, that economists
estimated it would require one-half of the nation's total income
to fund the level of benefits promised by Townsend!) |
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www.socialsecurity.gov
