TheWiseOldFart

I was a ‘latch key kid’ in the 1950’s. My brother and I were never in danger because our apartment was very close to our school. Next door to our small apartment building was an old house, followed by the convent, the rectory, the Church and the school. The first television we had was 9 inches wide and 9 inches tall. Of course the picture was in black and white. Television was our family’s major source of entertainment. If I was home, the television was on, even as I did my homework. I’m sure that I was one of millions of young men and women who fantasized about living the lives of the characters on the screen. Some things never change, at least not entirely. Two of my favorite movies, and one of the greatest television shows in history inspire me to dream again, even at the age of 78. For as long as I can remember, I held in my mind an image of what a President of the United States should be. The first president I remember was Dwight Eisenhower. I turned on the television when I came ...

The greatest president in American history was without a doubt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Rightfully known as “the People’s President, his policies were always focused on all Americans and protected the working class from greedy men who sought to control their workers by underpaying them for their efforts, requiring tortuously long hours and working conditions, and children were not exempt. On August 14, 1935, FDR signed the only perfect bill in our nation’s history. It was designed to guarantee a retirement fund for all Americans. It is known today as Social Security. It was fully funded by employee and employer contributions. The only government involvement needed was administration. Republicans lie and call Social Security an “entitlement.” If the program is going broke, as they claim, it is because of government corruption and incompetence. The worst government in the world has stolen money from the American people for the last 90 years. Every penny my wife and I receive is based ...