77 Years Old Today, and Still Thriving

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: 77 Years Old Today, and Still Thriving
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 11:59 pm:

Yep, Thank You President Roosevelt for signing Social Security into law on August 14, 1935. It has paid dividends to my late parents, my six older brothers and sisters, and to me. Barring corporate raids, it will be there for our children and grandchildren.

Social Security is financially healthy, in spite of CONgressional shenanigans. Medicare is not so healthy.

rdr


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 12:07 am:

Ricks, you are without a doubt my hero. The fact you made the statement you just did really makes me smile. I love my Social Security and tomorrow is payday. Yee Haw


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Philip Berg on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 02:46 pm:

The only reason it's thriving is because you're stealing the next generations money. So goes government.

"Barring corporate raids" How about government "raids".

Philip


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gary Tillstrom on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 03:05 pm:

Using what is stolen today to make the payout is exactly what Madoff got in hot water for. It is proven that someone my age and income bracket will never collect the amount paid in. Also, if my wife and I die in a car accident there is no payout to my 33 year old son or my grandkids.

Workers younger than 50 should be able to opt out. It is amazing the party that parrots free choice on abortion is 100% against freedom of choice on the workers own money.

I just wished that congress would have followed FDR's recommendation that this roll to private accounts. Workers would build net worth as they aged.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 03:32 pm:

My dictionary's definition of "thriving" must be different than yours... http://bottomline.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/12/13244389-social-security-surplus- dwarfed-by-future-deficit?lite


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Halpin on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 04:36 pm:

"Workers younger than 50 should be able to opt out."

You mean like it says in the Romney Ryan proposal?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Manuel, Lafayette, La. on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 05:13 pm:

Ponzi schemes usually work out well for those first on board--the problem comes later when you run out of other peoples money. Roosevelt was being pushed hard left by Huey Long and realized he had to buy votes some way. Corporate raids? Explain that as I don't understand how any corporation can "raid" this program. Not to worry though, benefits will be paid as long as the printing presses keep rolling!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Joe Van Evera on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 05:59 pm:

I don't think this was initially intended to be a Ponzi scheme. I think the whole system would be in great shape today IF those elected to represent us had kept their grubby paws out of it! I agree with John, above, though. It'll always be there as long as the presses keep rolling.......


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 08:20 pm:

I think this thread is another wonderful attempt at humor. I paid for my Grandfathers retirement, I paid for my fathers and now all you whiney little suckers can pay for mine. Ahh hahahahahahahaha


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Doug Money - Braidwood, IL on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 08:43 pm:

It would be interesting to see how inflation has affected SS.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 09:37 pm:

I don't think an opt out option is valid.
How many young(er) people do you know who save? Anything? Anything at all much less on their own?

Yup......opt out.......work and spend.......retire with nothing and go on welfare anyway.
Hmmmmmm.......come to think of it they'd probably come out ahead on welfare.......


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 11:07 pm:

You know they'd come out ahead. Especially if they can still get momma pregnant. I think about 85% of the women in Minnesota between the ages of 15 and 35 know all they have to do is get pregnant and they get a raise in pay. And then there's all the women without morals.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 11:41 pm:

I've been retired for only a little over a year, so I haven't used up everything I ever paid into SS, but the time probably isn't far off. Then I'll be just another lazy welfare bum with my snout in the public trough. But I'm not like all the other old fat white guys. I'm glad there are young Mexicans willing to risk their lives to come here and work their tails off to support me with their payroll taxes.

Let the outraged sputtering begin.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 11:53 pm:

Awesome Steve. If that don't get 'em going nothing will. There's really no way to respond to that one when you consider the futility of it all.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Derek Kiefer - Mantorville, MN on Thursday, August 16, 2012 - 12:30 am:

Mike, where are you finding all these women without morals? :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Thursday, August 16, 2012 - 07:51 am:

Byron, West Concord and Claremont. And of course the iron range (the majority of my relatives live between Coleraine and Chisholm. And the rest live in Medford.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Philip Berg on Thursday, August 16, 2012 - 12:07 pm:

Unfortunately Steve most of those young Mexicans don't pay payroll taxes. They only consume your tax dollars through public assistance.

As a former resident of Nebraska now living in California, it's different world out here.

Just wait till the medical rationing starts through Obamacare. Plan ahead that's all I have to say.

Philip


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Thursday, August 16, 2012 - 12:34 pm:

Depends on the employer. If they work for somebody like an "off the books" operator who pays cash, there are no payroll taxes paid. If they work for a business that's legitimate (except for turning a blind eye to their status), half the social security and medicare taxes are deducted from their wages and the employer has to pay the other half (BTDT). If no taxes are being paid, the employer is a crook.

As for medical rationing, we've always had it. Care has been rationed by how much money you have and what an insurance company is willing to cover.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Thursday, August 16, 2012 - 02:49 pm:

I hate race bashing.
Anyone who thinks there is a shortage of white trash is living in a vacuum.
There are a lot of Mexicans here in central Wisconsin doing the work WHITE folks won't.
Primarily they work on farms, work hard, and in my experience are good people busting their asses to provide for themselves.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince M on Thursday, August 16, 2012 - 03:04 pm:

Craig - I dont care what race they are, if they are here illegal they are crooks. Period. Legal immigrants are different.

Also - calling people white trash is race bashing.

Steve - dont be hatin those that have money. Its all relative.

Maybe you have too many model t's because of all you hard work and efforts...and those that have none should have one of yours.



Vince M


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Thursday, August 16, 2012 - 04:17 pm:

My limited experience with Mexican workers has been like Craig's. And why are we assuming that Mexican equals illegal? I'm just glad we have enough around here now to support a decent place to eat.

As for hating folks with dough, did I say or imply that? Nope. The rationing remark is a simple statement of fact, independent of my opinions on it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Thursday, August 16, 2012 - 04:30 pm:

I have looked at SS like this. I paid into it so that my parents and inlaws could have a better retirement than they would have had otherwise. Now it is our turn to use SS and our children are paying into it for us. We did our part to keep the system healthy having 5 children to pay into it. Unfortunately, the Baby boom generation thinks it good to have smaller families or no children. They have only themselves to blame if SS isn't able to pay for them.

Now I will also say something else. If I had taken all the money which I and my employers had put into SS and invested it wisely, well diversified, I would have a lot more money now than I get from SS. However, unfortunately, only a few people invest their money. Most live from payday to payday. They borrow to buy just about everything, and someday when they get ready to retire, they don't have anything. Those are the ones who would be on some form of welfare, charity, or the public dole. Or maybe homeless when they get older. That is why the powers to be passed the SS act, so that everyone pays for their own retirement. In theory they do, however in reality they pay for the present generation of retirees and then their children and grandchildren pay for theirs.

My proposed solution is not to ration it, not to have a "means test" but to lift the lid on payments into the system. Instead of putting a ceiling on how much of a persons earnings are subject to the SS tax, it would be unlimited to as much as they earn. The way it is now, the lower paid workers pay a larger percentage of their earnings than the higher paid workers. Why not have everyone pay the same percent on their earnings regardless of how much they earn?

Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Philip Berg on Thursday, August 16, 2012 - 04:43 pm:

Somewhat agree with Norm except I'd rather see a private system not government controlled. Government makes decisions for political reasons, private make decisions for monetary value.

If I'm a investment house and want to make money legally I make more money for my investors. If I'm a investment house and I don't make money for my investors I'm out of business. Government can only do the latter and yet is still in business.

I have nothing against "Mexicans". My stepmom is from Mexico and I have a step sister and brother who are of hispanic descent. I do have issues with any person regardless of nationality that comes here illegally. We are a nation of laws (at least we suppose to be) and lets follow them.

Steve and I agree, Mexican food is great. A few margaritas now and then doesn't hurt either :-).

Philip


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince M on Thursday, August 16, 2012 - 05:19 pm:

Steve,

I dont know you personally, but from your posts you seem like a real upstanding guy..one of the last guys on this forum that i would want to insult in any way, so if i did i apologize.

You are also very direct and usually cut right through the crap..i like that.

Your post, above, although did not directly say, but did imply that rich people unfairly have better health care. While they may have better health care at times, they have arguably earned it. Rationing is when there isnt enough to go around, therefore few have enough. In this country thats just not true.

I guess I am a little sensitive to the class warfare us against them politics being played out here in the U.S.

It used to be people riding a bus saw a guy in a mercedes, and they aspired to be like him. Now they wish him to ride a bus like them. Its sad and needs correcting before its too late.

I own a business, and in this crappy economy, i have literally spent hundreds of thousands of dollars this year alone keeping good people working and in healthcare, that i could have easily terminated for profits sake.

Sorry for the rant, but we need to produce in this country and be the leader once again that the world so badly misses...which WILL get people back to work so all of these issues can be corrected. First things first. :-)

Vince


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Thursday, August 16, 2012 - 08:25 pm:

All good things come to an end, its just a matter of time. And we're running out of time. Ask the folks in Greece.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Friday, August 17, 2012 - 03:38 am:

I've got a problem. I make less than 50K per year and live in a mobile home park. I drink cheap beer and hamburger is good enough for me. On one side of me lives a single mother who's never been married and on the other side of me lives a 72 year old veteran that starts drinking at noon everyday. He favors whatever canadian whiskey is on sale and cheap beer. Each can of beer only gets one shot of whiskey but he's always sure the ratio is one to one. He pours himself into bed every day around 6:00 PM. I'm a Viet Nam war vet without a college degree. I worked as a machinist, inspector, Quality Technician and finally worked my way up to a level 3 Quality Engineer. After 40 years in factories something they call Post Traumatic Stress Disorder grabbed ahold of me and I had to retire. I'd put my wife through college and when she had her masters degree she realized I was expendable and she no longer needed me. So I gave up everything but my investments and used them to purchase this manufactured home in this mobile home park. I live off Social Security and Veterans disability. I refuse to take on the label of white trash or trailer trash though because of proximity and the fact I'm using the only finances I've got available to me (which puts me on the public dole) I'd be in a real hurt if I wouldn't have worked all those years paying in so my grandfather and father could retire. So here's my problem, I don't want to be homeless and it's too late to start over and I don't have my dad around to treat like crap because he spent what I put into the Social Security all those years. I don't sit around and piss and moan about what life dealt me. I don't blame my father because I had to spend my investments, I pay my bills every month and live inside my means. I was taught at an early age and was never told that my retirement wouldn't be available when I finally couldn't work any more therefore I didn't know enough to save more than I did. But all the young people working now have to realize that the baby boomers did have small families. It was to hard to feed a large family and pay for an education. So there's nobody there to put money into social security for us and later for themselves. But I have a problem when I have to listen to a young person tell me I shouldn't get what I worked hard and paid for and was told would be there when I needed it. And here's something else to think about. There's a whole bunch of veterans coming home right now that are going to need help from those they fought and died for. And if you're going to turn your back now on the elderly who need help how are you going to be able to justify helping those veterans. So shutup, stop whining and go to work, I did and I took care of mine. And last I've got to say, if our govt. would stop spending so much money to send our young men off to a war and ultimately to become wounded or die there'd be enough money to take care of us. And now this is going to sound weird but if this govt would stop trying to stop people from using marijuana and would legalize and tax the crap out of it we'd have even more money. Because as I see it the war on drugs is a losing proposition and we spend an awful lot of money to feed people in prison for using something that we will never get them to stop using. Cigarettes are more dangerous and alcohol kills more people. And all the laws and money and jail time in the world isn't slowing down it's sale and use. And people are using it as if it were legal anyway. Law enforcement isn't even making a dent in it's use. So legalize the stuff and tax it like we do liquor and use the same laws we're using now for alcohol to control it. We'd probably find out it wouldn't be used more it might even be used less because of the controls placed on it. Ok I'm just kiddin. I just thought I'd stir the pot a little bit tonight.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By kep NZ on Friday, August 17, 2012 - 06:02 am:

Quote "I've got a problem. I make less than 50K per year and live in a mobile home park".[/quote]
Where i live that could eventually get you a small damp house, a fancy car and a big tv with plug in box things with lots of fake friends who use you for the tv with box things.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Friday, August 17, 2012 - 03:10 pm:

Holy crap, I was on a roll again last night. I apologize to everyone for being so ridiculous. At 3:30 in the morning I must have a tendency to turn into an idiot. kep, you live in New Zealand and I really don't know how to take your comment but I found it comical because I live in a small damp house, drive a '04 F150, I don't have a plug in box of any kind but I do have a pretty nice TV. As far as fake friends, have you read the things I've written in this forum over the last couple months? Geez I wouldn't want to be my friend fake or not. I have got to get this under control and learn the meaning of respect. Cause most of you guys would really make some awesome friends. But that's enough of that for now. I hope everyone has a fantastic day and God bless you all.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Frank Harris from Long Beach & Big Bear on Friday, August 17, 2012 - 10:38 pm:

I taught school for many years in California and educators don't pay Social Security because they have their own retirement system. They contribute 10 percent of their wages to the State Teacher's Retirement System all the time they work.

I also ran my own company for over 40 years but in California a school teacher can't double dip. So even though I am qualified to receive $900 a month from S. S. I only get Medicare out of my S.S or F.I.C.A. and not my $900 that I paid for for over 50 years and should be receiving.

I don't understand the whole thing but I believe that you can be in the Military service for 20 years and retire, then get another job for 20 years and get both retirements and your S.S. You can even get a third job and retire from that one and collect that retirement. But educators are not allowed to double dip.

How's that for equality ?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Saturday, August 18, 2012 - 12:30 am:

Maybe I'm the odd man out Mike but I found your post to be right on....... :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Philip Berg on Saturday, August 18, 2012 - 12:45 am:

Frank,

Where in the U.S. constitution does it say "educators" get special treatment? I've worked my ass off since I was fourteen and do I get special treatment? I'm not an educator but a person (taxpayer) who you take your pay from. So think about that.

Philip


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Saturday, August 18, 2012 - 02:16 am:

This has really been an interesting off topic thread. Maybe it's good to stop and get it off our chest once in awhile. The problem is, even with all we've got to say we can't change any of it. The only defense we've got is our vote. And if your not in with the right special interest group then pardon me, your screwed.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay - In Northern California on Saturday, August 18, 2012 - 10:05 am:

Ricks, Baring corporate raids??? Your already being paid your Social Security in borrowed yen that's been converted to dollars! Your vote for Dear Leader Obama will make sure that our children's children inherit a bankrupt America.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve in Tennessee on Saturday, August 18, 2012 - 10:59 am:

Its a Ponzi scheme. Remember its ok for the Government to run a Ponzi scheme or run the numbers, just don't try to do it yourself. I do not factor SS into my retirement plans as I fully expect it not to be there. I am 51. Those behind me are well advised to max out their 401Ks. I am maxing mine out and pay in catch up fees. Its not easy but who said it should be.

I'd be content to cut what I pay by 50% and never see it again and be required to put the other 50% in a retirement account of my own making. I would still come out ahead.

Beyond all that I'm not sure how any of this helps me take up the number main on my T.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Haynes on Saturday, August 18, 2012 - 11:24 am:

Phillip Berg, I feel confident if you retread Frank Harris' post, you will see that he did not, as you falsely claim, imply teachers are entitled to "special treatment."

The fiscal homicide of Social Security was facilitated by Ronald Reagan, David Stockman and Alan Greenspan.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Saturday, August 18, 2012 - 02:03 pm:

I think Frank's problem came about when "Teachers" became "Educators". :-) I had 3 uncles who died in their 50's and received not a cent from SS, but 2 of them had children under 18 who did receive some and the wife of one never worked, so she received from her husband's SS.

Some never collect, and others live to over 100 and collect far more than they pay in. That's just the way things are.

I think that if one studies the system, he will find that the money put in, is not invested to earn a pension in the future. The "Trust Fund" was intended to be invested for that purpose, but it now goes into the general fund and spent for anything the congress decides to spend it for. They are usually looking for votes in the next election, rather than the long range. After all when the bankruptcy occurs, they will have been retired or dead, so let's live for the moment.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Monday, August 20, 2012 - 10:59 pm:

Maybe Euthanasia isn't such a bad deal. Everybody gets 80 years and that's it. It would sure take care of a bunch of old farts on here and we wouldn't have to listen to people with antiquated viewpoints. And then when the coffers get a little lower we lower the age to 75. Where Ol'bama? I'm pretty sure he'd like this one.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Monday, August 20, 2012 - 11:15 pm:

Reminds me of the Benny Hill episode, "Youth in Asia."



It's not the years that count, it's the miles of bad road.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Monday, August 20, 2012 - 11:57 pm:

Jeez Ralph, you really got it going this time. Oh well, hope to see you in Nebraska again,

Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 01:24 pm:

I was an odd kid. I have had antiquated ideas since I was five.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 03:35 pm:

Mike has the right idea -- Euthanasia --
but make it AT 60 years old.
I'm over 60 so it won't touch me. :-)

Sound ridiculous?
Of course it does!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Cassara Long Island, NY on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 04:01 pm:

This comes from a friend .....


The $50 Lesson

Recently, while I was working in the flower beds in the front yard, my neighbors stopped to chat as they returned home from walking their dog. During our friendly conversation, I asked their little girl what she wanted to be when she grows up. She said she wanted to be President some day. Both of her parents, liberal Democrats, were standing there, so I asked her, "If you were
President what would be the first thing you would do?" She replied... "I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people." Her parents beamed with pride! "Wow...what a worthy goal!" I said. "But you don't have to wait until you're President to do that!" I told her. "What do you mean?" she replied. So I told her, "You can come over to my house and mow the lawn, pull weeds, and trim my hedge, and I'll pay you $50. Then you can go over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out and give him the $50 to use toward food and a new house." She thought that over for a few seconds, then she looked me straight in the eye and asked, "Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the $50?" I said, "Welcome to the Republican Party." Her parents aren't speaking to me anymore.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay - In Northern California on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 04:43 pm:

John, Priceless my friend............Priceless!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed in California on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 09:43 pm:

Q: Why should Democrats be buried 100 feet deep?
A: Because deep down, they're really good people.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 10:44 pm:

Some wag at Old Bold Pilots this morning said conservatives sign their government checks on the front, while liberals sign them on the back. I pointed out that he signs his SS check on the back, and all govt employees and military sign their govt checks on the back.

Some of the most rabid "conservatives" I know have always been govt employees who never worked for a company that had to make a profit. The military is a socialist organization, complete with govt provided healthcare.

The mantra of capitalism bringing democracy to the ChiComs is a joke. Capitalism, by its very structure, is dictatorial, not democratic. I'm not saying capitalism is wrong, just observing it's not democratic, and doesn't need to be in a democracy to thrive.

rdr


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay - In Northern California on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 11:18 pm:

"Government is not the solution to our problem, government IS the problem!" Ronald Reagan.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 11:22 pm:

I realize some of the comments here are meant to be humorous, but let's remember that those graves at Arlington, Normandy, and Meuse-Argonne aren't populated only by conservative Republicans. Liberal Democrats also died defending our right to spout.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 11:39 pm:

"Government is not the solution to our problem, government IS the problem!"

And GW made sure the govt was the problem by appointing incompetents to run the govt agencies; guys like Chertoff and Michael Brown.

Most hiring from 2001-2008 was govt jobs. Those numbers have been dropping since. You know, teachers, police, etc.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 11:48 pm:

Here's a Liberal Democrat:

George Stanley McGovern (born July 19, 1922) is a historian, author, and former U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, and the Democratic Party nominee in the 1972 presidential election.

McGovern grew up in Mitchell, South Dakota, where he was a renowned debater. He volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Forces upon the country's entry into World War II and as a B-24 Liberator pilot flew 35 missions over German-occupied Europe. Among the medals awarded him was a Distinguished Flying Cross for making a hazardous emergency landing of his damaged plane and saving his crew. After the war he gained degrees from Dakota Wesleyan University and Northwestern University, culminating in a Ph.D, and was a history professor. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1956 and re-elected in 1958. After a failed bid for the U.S. Senate in 1960, he was elected there in 1962.

As a senator, McGovern was an exemplar of modern American liberalism. He became most known for his outspoken opposition to the growing U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. He staged a brief nomination run in the 1968 presidential election as a stand-in for the assassinated Robert F. Kennedy. The subsequent McGovern–Fraser Commission fundamentally altered the Democratic presidential nominating process, by greatly increasing the number of caucuses and primaries and reducing the influence of party insiders. The McGovern–Hatfield Amendment sought to end the Vietnam War by legislative means but was defeated in 1970 and 1971...
--------

Oregon Sen. Mark Hatfield was a Republican, btw.


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