A recent letter writer claimed that “Republicans almost single handedly passed the Civil Rights Bill of the 1960s with virtually no support from Democrats.” This person needs to check his facts before spouting such stuff.
On the final version which passed, House Democrats voted 153 in favor and 91 against. House Republicans voted 136 in favor and 35 against. On the Senate side, 46 Democrats voted in favor, 22 against. Republicans: 27 in favor and 6 against.
The Southern Bloc, both Democrats and Republicans, vowed to fight against social equality to the bitter end.
Fortunately, through the efforts of Democrats Hubert Humphrey and Mike Mansfield, and Republican Everett Dirksen, justice prevailed and the law was enacted to ban discrimination and segregation.
This writer also dislikes Social Security and Medicare. Fine.
I expect that he will turn it down when he is eligible, making more available for the rest of us.
Kathy Shearer
Emory, Va.
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