progressivism, individualism, and the public ... - Telmarc Group

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PROGRESSIVISM, INDIVIDUALISM, AND THE PUBLIC
INTELLECTUAL
last fall to decay. Besides these there will be constantly thrown off from the revolutions of
that wheel which no man can stop nor regulate, a number from every class of life
connected with commerce and adventure.
To provide for all those accidents, and whatever else may befall, I take the number of
persons
who, at one time or other of their lives, after fifty years of age, may feel it necessary or
comfortable to be better supported, than they can support themselves, and that not as a
matter of grace and favour, but of right, at one-third of the whole number, which is one
hundred and forty thousand, as stated in a previous page, and for whom a distinct
provision was proposed to be made. If there be more, society, notwithstanding the show
and pomposity of government, is in a deplorable condition in England.
Of this one hundred and forty thousand, I take one half, seventy thousand, to be of the
age of fifty and under sixty, and the other half to be sixty years and upwards. Having thus
ascertained the probable proportion of the number of aged persons, I proceed to the
mode of rendering their condition comfortable, which is:
To pay to every such person of the age of fifty years, and until he shall arrive at the age
of sixty, the sum of six pounds per annum out of the surplus taxes, and ten pounds per
annum during life after the age of sixty. The expense of which will be, Seventy thousand
persons, at £6 per annum £420,000...
Paine includes 14 points which are worth reading side by side with the Progressive
manifesto:
Having now finished this subject, I shall bring the several particulars into one view, and
then
proceed to other matters. The first eight articles, mentioned earlier, are;
1. Abolition of two millions poor-rates.
2. Provision for two hundred and fifty-two thousand poor families, at the rate of four
pounds per head for each child under fourteen years of age; which, with the addition of
two hundred and fifty thousand pounds, provides also education for one million and
thirty thousand children.
3. Annuity of six pounds (per annum) each for all poor persons, decayed tradesmen, and
others (supposed seventy thousand) of the age of fifty years, and until sixty.
4. Annuity of ten pounds each for life for all poor persons, decayed tradesmen, and others
(supposed seventy thousand) of the age of sixty years.
5. Donation of twenty shillings each for fifty thousand births.
6. Donation of twenty shillings each for twenty thousand marriages.
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