FOUNDING AMERICA'S SOCIAL SYSTEMS
shift more resources to the military
side of the budget, making the extra
aid even more important.
Pro-Israel leaders are hoping to tuck
the extra aid into a supplemental mili-
tary appropriation for U.S. forces; that
measure is likely to get strong biparti-
san support in Congress.
But they also worry: if the adminis-
tration waits too long to move on sup-
plemental aid, the measure could get
caught up in budget wrangling late in
the year, when lawmakers adding up
their spending and tax-cur decisions.
Vouchers, Choice Stall
prised at the number of Republican
members who were not willing to sup-
port the president on the matter. If all
the Republicans had voted for it, it
would be in the bill."
But, he conceded that leaving vouch-
ers in the bill would have produced a
bitter partisan wrangle, not the biparti-
san compromise bill that is expected to
move quickly and give Bush his first
victory on a signature issue.
"It's striking that you had a
Republican House and a Republican
committee, and lost Republican votes
on the issue," said Marshall Wittman,
a fellow with the conservative Hudson
Institute. "It didn't seem that there was
any intervention on the part of the
president." Bush, he said, "seems will-
ing to jettison certain controversial
proposals that he promised to conser-
vatives. I call it the Texas Two-Step."
The same dance is taking place as
The administration, marking its first
100 days in office, has sparked anger
from some conservative groups
because of its retreat on school vouch-
ers and its opaque approach to charita-
ble choice, the centerpiece of President
George W Bush's faith-based initia-
tives.
That's good news for lib-
eral Jewish activists who see
both proposals as serious
breaches of the church-state
wall. It's not so good for the
Orthodox groups that say
the legislation could benefit
Jewis l-Li' institutions.
Some analysts say the
administration has used
both issues to buy off reli-
gious right supporters; as
soon as hard bargaining
began with Congress, the
White House quickly
Nathan DiaMent
Richard Foltin
steered a more pragmatic
course.
Vouchers were expected
the administration moves slowly on its
to be rougher going for the adminis-
faith-based initiatives. The White
tration, but Republican leaders
House has vet to offer specific propos-
thought they could muster the votes
als for the charitable choice parr of the
to overcome fierce resistance. But at
package, which would remove restric-
the first sign of opposition, the admin-
tions on religious institutions that get
istration dropped the proposal to pro-
government money to provide services.
tect other elements of its education
Officially, the White House Office
initiative.
on Community and Faith-based
This week, the Senate began chew-
Initiatives is still studying the idea;
ing on a sweepin g , education bill that
behind the scenes, White House polit-
includes many of Bush's priority pro-
ical forces are trying to figure out how
posals, including more flexibility for
to respond to mounting opposition
local school districts and annual test-
from the religious right, as well as lib-
ing for students. The bill does not
eral church-state organizations.
include vouchers.
"They've been faced unexpectedly
Last week, the Education and
with criticism from both sides," said
Workforce Committee removed
Richard Foltin, legislative director for
vouchers from the Elementary and
the American Jewish Committee,
Secondary Education Act, with five
which opposes charitable choice.
Republicans breaking with parry lead-
"They continue to discuss what the
ers and voting with opponents.
final plan should look like. And they
Nathan Diament, director of the
continue to examine how much of this
Orthodox Union's Institute for Public
can be accomplished through execu-
Affairs, said that supporters knew they
tive order, not legislation.
were in for a fight. "But I was sur-
Social Security and Medicare are landmarks in the long struggle to achieve social
and economic justice for the nation's elderly, poor, sick and disabled. Until 1940,
most of our unemployed. indigent and otherwise needful citizens could rely only
on meaner help mainly from families or public and religious charities. During that
year, the federal government posted off its first social security payments. The
event marked the success of a handful of staunch crusaders to permanently lift the
burden of poverty and despair from tens of millions of Americans.
Among the handful were two compassionate Jewish activists in
government service who led that campaign and deserve being called the fathers of
social security in America. Despite their historic accomplishments. both remain
virtually unknown. We meet them now.
ISAAC RUBINOW
(1875-1936) b. Grodno, Russia Medical Doctor /
Economist / Social Worker He emigrated to the
United States in 1893 and soon earned a degree in
medicine. But Rubinow abandoned his practice after
several years, distressed at how our medical system
ignored many without the means to secure decent
health care. He switched to economics, which toaether
with his knowledge of medicine, would serve him well
to help reverse the system's insensitivity and disregard. Rubinow insisted that all
Americans have the right to enjoy the guarantee of social insurance to provide for
human needs "without injury to the man's ego and self-respect."
in 1916 he was appointed director of the Social Insurance Commission of
the American Medical Association which ultimately rejected his insistence that it
support state health insurance. Rubinow held out for compulsory plans to protect
workers since "the class which needs social insurance cannot afford it, and the
class that can afford it does not need it." Opposition to the idea during World War
I was partly due to anti-German sentiment; Chancellor Otto von Bismarck had long
before instituted such a program in Prussia. Later it was also denounced as Com-
munistic. stepchild of the Russian Revolution.
In disappointment. Rubinow resigned and dedicated himself to social work
in Palestine where he established Hadassah's first medical chapter. Returning to the
U.S. in 1929. he continued to design welfare programs for major Jewish
oraanizations which would in time prod our federal government to finally follow in
his path. And after decades of tireless advocacy, his dream was realized--as a
consultant, appointed by F.D.R., who helped draft the Social Security Act of 1935.
ABRAHAM EPSTEIN
(1892-1942) b. Russia Economist/Sociologist Seven-
teen years Rubinow's junior, as well as his loyal
colleague. Epstein became a resolute champion for
enacting and expanding, our social security laws.
Throughout his professional life, the social scientist
had a consuming concern about the plight of the
elderly. While in government service, Epstein had
pressed for Congressional action to create publicly
financed old age insurance. And in 1927. he organized the aaency which was
renamed the American Association for Social Security.
For him, the 1935 act he advanced was principally an outline for more
liberal, humane and generous legislation. Accordingly. he was influential in having
the act revised four years later and include his proposals for major reforms which
widened the law's scope and benefits. His expertise brought him to the League of
Nations as America's representative to the world body's social insurance committee.
Several of his books became classics in the field: Facing Old Age (1922), The
Problem of Old Age Pensions in Industry (1926) and The Challenge of the Aged
(1928).
- Saul Stadtmauer-
CONIN1ISSION FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF JEWISH HISTORY
Walter & Lea Field. Founders'Sponsors
Irwin S. Field & Harriet F. Siden. Chairpersons
Visit many more notable Jews at our website: www.dorledor.org
NIGHT & DEUTSCH
MA,, TER k.DF
(248) 352-7030
Creating images that touch. the heart...
26571 W. 12 Mile Road — Southfield, 48034
www.knight-deutschphotacom
5/1 1
2001
25