The first act in which a government stepped in to provide for the needy was The English Poor Law of 1601. With this the English government recognized that the poor had to be taken care of. The law was supported through taxation, with relief given to those in need. Buildings, called almshouses, were even built in order to provide shelter for those without it. This law laid the foundations of modern day economic security. The ideology of the workers supporting the needy was brought over to America with the immigrants. Many of the new communities developed laws very similar to the English Poor Law of 1601. One of the major drawbacks to the English Poor Law of 1601 and the new laws made by Ame

"We can never insure one hundred percent of the population against one hundred percent of the hazards and vicissitudes of life, but we have tried to frame a law which will give some measure of protection to the average citizen and to his family against the loss of a job and against poverty-ridden old age."--

Throughout history we have advanced greatly as a society. This has lead us to be able to accomplish things such as economic security. Although we are an advanced society we will continue to strive to provide everyone with average living conditions. This battle with poverty is not an easy one, and will probably not be accomplished for many years, but we still have to try.

As of right now the only problem with Social Security is that it appears to be running out of money. Because of shifts in population growth, ie the baby boom, it seems that in the near future there will be more people receiving benefits from Social Security than those who are contributing to Social Security. This problem leaves only a few solutions. The most obvious solution would be to increase the taxes to make up for it. That solution doesn't seem to be very popular with those who are contributing to Social Security. Many young people feel disillusioned about paying into Social Security because they don't feel that it will be there when it is their turn to retire.

Workers compensation was the next battle to be won in the struggle towards economic security. In 1908 the Federal government passed a law protecting Federal employees from injuries in hazardous jobs. Soon thereafter, many states adapted similar laws, and by 1929 workers compensation laws were in affect in every state. These laws held the employer responsible for living expenses if an employee was killed or injured while on the job. This one a major step towards the social security that we enjoy today, but still some people were unhappy.

The nation agreed with Roosevelt that something had to be done to help curb the poverty situation. Roosevelt appointed a committee to examine the entire economic situation in America. After months of researching the committee presented to Roosevelt their proposal. Roosevelt in turn handed over the proposal to the House and Senate. In July of 1935 the bill was passed. On August 14, 1935 President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, making it final. The bill included a number of programs to benefit the general welfare, as well as program designed to give persons over 65 a pension. The main provisions of the bill were to provide unemployment insurance, aid to dependent children, and old age assistance. After signing the Social Security a

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Approximate Word count = 1790
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)