Guess which political party formally proposed these liberal-sounding reforms for Social Security and Medicare? The answer will surprise you. I quote directly from the party's platform:
Social Security
1. An immediate increase in Social Security payments with a goal of a 60% increase in benefits.
2. An increase in the minimum payment to $100, with annual cost of living increases. [$100 in the 1960s equals about $900 today.]
3. Restoration of the 100% income tax deduction for drugs and medical expenses paid out by people 65 and over.
4. Removal of the earnings limitation of people 65 and over in order that they may earn any amount of additional income.
Medicare
1. Relief to persons unable to pay deductible charges under Medicare.
2. Relief to persons unable to have deducted from their Social Security checks the monthly fee for physician service coverage under Medicare.
3. Providing for uninterrupted nursing home care for those with chronic illness who require such care.
4. We will encourage low-cost insurance programs for the elderly and will assist the states and local communities in building hospitals, nursing homes, clinics as well as medical and nursing schools.
In this land of plenty, no one should be denied adequate medical care because of his financial condition.
Believe it or not, these proposals were made by the American Independent Party in 1968, the party whose presidential candidate was Governor George Wallace and whose VP candidate was General Curtis LeMay (Ret.) (LINK).
Wallace won five states and 46 Electoral College votes. He also got over 30% of the vote in South Carolina and North Carolina, over 20% of the vote in Florida and Virginia, and over 10% of the vote in Texas, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, Nevada, Delaware, and Idaho.
Social Security
1. An immediate increase in Social Security payments with a goal of a 60% increase in benefits.
2. An increase in the minimum payment to $100, with annual cost of living increases. [$100 in the 1960s equals about $900 today.]
3. Restoration of the 100% income tax deduction for drugs and medical expenses paid out by people 65 and over.
4. Removal of the earnings limitation of people 65 and over in order that they may earn any amount of additional income.
Medicare
1. Relief to persons unable to pay deductible charges under Medicare.
2. Relief to persons unable to have deducted from their Social Security checks the monthly fee for physician service coverage under Medicare.
3. Providing for uninterrupted nursing home care for those with chronic illness who require such care.
4. We will encourage low-cost insurance programs for the elderly and will assist the states and local communities in building hospitals, nursing homes, clinics as well as medical and nursing schools.
In this land of plenty, no one should be denied adequate medical care because of his financial condition.
Believe it or not, these proposals were made by the American Independent Party in 1968, the party whose presidential candidate was Governor George Wallace and whose VP candidate was General Curtis LeMay (Ret.) (LINK).
Wallace won five states and 46 Electoral College votes. He also got over 30% of the vote in South Carolina and North Carolina, over 20% of the vote in Florida and Virginia, and over 10% of the vote in Texas, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, Nevada, Delaware, and Idaho.
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