It is hoped that this paper can establish by such documentary evidence as is available, the following: 1. The program for financing social security advocated by W. Lee O'Daniel during his first term as Governor of Texas; 2. The program for old age assistance advocated by O'Daniel during the Forty-Sixth Legislature of Texas; 3. The activities of the minority group credited by the Governor with defeating "all efforts to finance social security" during the Forty-Sixth Legislature; 4. The explanation of Senate Joint Resolution 12; 5. The record, based on personal experience and the reported evidence, of the various groups and individuals working for the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 12.

This thesis attempts to answer the following questions: How is democracy threatened today? What are some of the specific issues of domestic and foreign policy which the American people face? Are citizens prepared to make intelligent choices on such matters? How does propaganda complicate the political process? Are the schools doing their part in preparing citizens for self-government? If not, why?