Political Quotes

“In 1935, Social Security passed. It passed, Madam President, because the American people wanted it to pass. It was really at that time, perhaps, an experiment. We did not know if it really worked, but it did work. I believe we have heard a lot about the Contract With America. I think that most all the items that my friends are talking about with the Contract With America are good and will help the country. But let us be realistic. The real, valid first contract with America was Social Security. That program has been in existence for 60 years. That is the real contract. And it is a contract that has worked and we should do everything we can to protect the Social Security trust funds. We should do that, Madam President, not only for the Harriet Reids of the world, but also for those children that are now in their beginning years, because we need to provide security for them in their old age, also. President Roosevelt and Members of Congress recognized in 1935 that by financing the program by earmarked payroll taxes, we would ensure that a future President and Congress could not morally or politically repeal or mutilate the character of the program. Interestingly, Madam President, President Roosevelt's fears were realized in the early part of the 1980's, when there were attempts made to make sweeping cuts in Social Security. Those cuts were repulsed by Congress.”