“You help me because this is one I just can’t lose. This is the only Johnson proposal I’ve got. The only bill, and it’s as sound as a dollar.” These were the impassioned words exchanged between President Lyndon B. Johnson and fellow Texan George H. Mahon, the then House Appropriations Committee chair. The former was trying to persuade the latter to support and endorse the economic opportunity bill. Although Mahon initially hesitated, he eventually fell in line, helping the 36th President of the United States of America achieve his long-sought dream.
As we approach the 60th anniversary of LBJ’s arguably greatest achievement, it is a fitting time to assess the current situation and reflect on the past.
Before delving into history, let's take a quick look at the present. The current poverty rate in the U.S. stands at 11.6 percent, a remarkable achievement considering the various challenges the country faces daily.
Credit for this progress largely goes to the current leadership. However, it must be acknowledged that their success is built upon the solid foundation laid by Lyndon B. Johnson.
The War on Poverty, declared by President Johnson, may not have fully realized its envisioned potential, but it remains one of the most significant policies aiding the less privileged in decades.
LBJ’s agenda aimed to drastically reduce poverty rates. As he eloquently put it, “Our aim is not only to relieve the symptoms of poverty but to cure it and, above all, to prevent it.”
In my personal opinion, I genuinely believe that he largely succeeded in his aim.
The War on Poverty consisted of four key pieces of legislation designed to collectively combat rising poverty incidents.
At the top of the list was the Social Security Amendments of 1965, which gave birth to vital healthcare programs like Medicaid and Medicare, still in effect today.
While it is true that these programs could benefit from reassessment and reimplementation, they have undeniably provided essential health services to countless Americans.
Additionally, these policies improved the quality and quantity of benefits provided by Social Security to various groups, including retirees, college-aged students, and widows.
Another lasting impact of the War on Poverty is the Food Stamp Act of 1964, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which currently helps more than 42 million Americans access quality food for sustenance.
Overall, LBJ recognized the government's pivotal role in ensuring the majority of Americans stay above the poverty line. For that reason, his efforts to combat poverty should be considered not only a step in the right direction but also a success.
