August 14th, 2018
Contact: Linda Benesch, lbenesch@socialsecurityworks.org
The Truth About Social Security
Advocates Release New Book and 50 State Reports to Mark Social Security’s 83rd Birthday
Today, August 14th, is the 83rd anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt signing Social Security into law. To mark the occasion, Social Security Works President Nancy Altman is releasing her newest book, The Truth About Social Security: The Founders’ Words Refute Revisionist History, Zombie Lies, and Common Misunderstandings. In The Truth, Altman uses the words of FDR and the other architects of Social Security to showcase their expansive vision and debunk common myths about the program. Indeed, their long-term plans included not only an expanded Social Security system but Medicare for All.
Alongside the book, Social Security Works is releasing a series of The Truth About Social Security reports detailing how Social Security and Medicare enrich the lives of Americans in all 50 states, as well as several U.S. territories.
Altman is available for print, radio, and TV interviews to discuss the book and the reports.
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Social Security Works is a non-profit organization working to improve the economic security of disadvantaged and at-risk populations by fighting to protect and expand Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and to lower prescription drug costs
Praise for The Truth About Social Security
“Nancy Altman has dedicated her life to defending Social Security and for that, every American owes her their thanks.” — Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
“Today’s revisionist history seeks to hide from view the far-reaching vision of my grandfather and his colleagues in enacting Social Security and setting us on the path toward universal healthcare. The Truth About Social Security not only sets the record straight but provides a clear path for those who are still fighting for, in my grandfather’s words, ‘safeguards against misfortune in this man-made world of ours.'” — James Roosevelt, Grandson of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and former Associate Commissioner of Social Security
“Altman’s approach is uniquely historical. She looks at the speeches and writings of those who originally designed the program, like Roosevelt, and those who subsequently defended it, like Eisenhower….this is almost certainly the most wide-ranging documentary history of Social Security available.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Nancy Altman is one of the most distinguished scholars of Social Security and is the author of some of the most penetrating studies of this vital program. Now, in The Truth About Social Security, she deftly defangs the attacks that some of America’s richest and most selfish figures have carefully crafted to mislead the people and sow confusion.”
— Max J. Skidmore, professor of political science, University of Missouri at Kansas City, and author of Securing America’s Future: A Bold Plan to Preserve and Expand Social Security
“In today’s dangerous climate of alternative facts, Altman refutes today’s lies and misconceptions about Social Security and Medicare. The Truth About Social Security explains why expanding Social Security and extending Medicare to everyone is fully affordable, vitally important, and completely consistent with the founders’ vision.”
–Abigail Zapote, Latinos for a Secure Retirement