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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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