http://www.ssa.gov/history/hfaq.html
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Q4: Is it true that Social Security was originally just a retirement program?
A: Yes. Under the 1935 law, what we now think of as Social Security only paid retirement benefits to the primary worker. A 1939 change in the law added survivors benefits and benefits for the retiree’s spouse and children. In 1956 disability benefits were added.
Keep in mind, however, that the Social Security Act itself was much broader than just the program which today we commonly describe as “Social Security.” The original 1935 law contained the first national unemployment compensation program, aid to the states for various health and welfare programs, and the Aid to Dependent Children program.
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(Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SocialSecurityposter2.gif)
What were the voters of that age thinking? I understand the Great Depression was a terrible terrible time. And, I realize that they didn’t know about the FED. And, I realize that they didn’t understand that the Smoot Hawley tariffs caused it.
But, boy, what a classic blunder!
Now the gooferment seeks to try to convince us “it wasn’t intended to be our only retirement resource”! With IRAs, 401Ks, and a lot of prayer.
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President Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act, at approximately 3:30 pm EST on August 14, 1935.[9] Standing with Roosevelt are Rep. Robert Doughton (D-NC); unknown person in shadow; Sen. Robert Wagner (D-NY); Rep. John Dingell (D-MI); unknown man in bowtie; the Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins; Sen. Pat Harrison (D-MS); and Rep. David Lewis (D-MD).
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Can we dig up those folks and put them on trial? Like the old Soviet show trials. Argh!
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Reinke Faces Life 
