The people's pension
Subtitle: the struggle to defend Social Security since Reagan
By: Eric Laursen
Publisher: AK Press
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Okaland, Calif; Edinburgh, Scotland
Language: eng
Number of pages: 818
ISBN-13: 9781849351010
Subjects: Social security; Retirement income
Description: This book explores the potential benefits of a government-independent, democratized Social Security system to support dependents suffering from the reduction of other government benefits. It provides essential ammunition against the theft of our golden years by pundits, "free" marketeers, and bureaucrats. Social Security, not for nothing do politicians call it the "third rail of American politics, touch it, and you die."  Yet a powerful, well-funded movement to phase out Social Security or even privatize it has been gathering strength since the election of Ronald Reagan. Each time it comes close to succeeding, it has beaten back by a coalition of labor, grassroots organizers, and the elderly. Meanwhile, Social Security has only become more vital to retirees and their families as the federal and state governments slash other benefits and services, a trend that has grown ever more troubling in recent years.  This book is both groundbreaking history and an eye-opening guide for anyone concerned about one of the biggest issues of our times. With 95 percent of Americans participating in the program either as beneficiaries or through their payroll tax contributions, Social Security is quite literally the glue that binds Americans together as a community. In its epilogue, the author argues to democratize, not disable, the program, suggesting that the only solution for Social Security may be to de-link it from government altogether.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [727]-783) and index.
Table of contents: title: Social Security and the Reagan revolution (1981-83); title: The movement against Social Security is born (1983-94); title: Selling privatization (1994-96); title: Mating dance (1996-99); title: The Social Security election (1999-2000); title: The ownership society (2001-05); title: Back to austerity (2006-11).