The People's Pension: The Struggle to Defend Social Security Since Reagan

by Eric Laursen

Overview

“Laursen has given us a comprehensive account of the three decade long war against Social Security. . . . This is a fascinating history that progressives must learn, not only to protect Social Security but also to understand the dynamics behind an effective long-term strategy.”—Dean Baker, author of False Profits: Recovering From the Bubble Economy

“This magnificent history documents the hydra-headed campaign to cut and kill Social Security, conducted over decades by rightwing bankers, foundations, economists, and politicians. [The People's Pension] is utterly urgent.”—James K. Galbraith, author of The Predator State

The People's Pension is both groundbreaking history and an indispensable guide for anyone concerned about one of the biggest issues in the upcoming election. 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. Yet in the aftermath of the debt reduction deal between Barack Obama and congressional Republicans, the 2012 election promises to be a kind of referendum on the size and role of government—including economic support programs like Social Security. Arguing to democratize, not disable, the program, Eric Laursen suggests that the only solution for Social Security is taking it out of the government's hands altogether.

Eric Laursen is an independent financial and political journalist, activist, and commentator. The co-founder and former managing editor of Plan Sponsor, a magazine for pension fund executives, Laursen is also the co-author of Understanding the Crash (2010). His work has appeared in a wide variety of publications, including The Huffington Post, The Nation, Institutional Investor, The Village Voice, and Investment Dealer's Digest.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781849351089
Publisher:	AK Press
Publication date:	05/29/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	750
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

Eric Laursen, born 1960, is an independent financial and political journalist, activist, and commentator. A native of San Francisco and graduate of Columbia University in New York (B.A. in History, Master's in International Affairs), he began his journalistic career as a reporter for Wall Street Letter, a weekly newsletter for the financial services industry. He later worked for a succession of publications: as a staff writer for Corporate Finance Magazine; editor of Asset International, a weekly newsletter for international investment firms; and as co-founder and managing editor of Plan Sponsor, the leading monthly magazine for North American pension executives. It was there he became interested in the debate over Social Security.

An independent journalist since 2000, Eric has written for publications ranging from Z Magazine and The Nation to Institutional Investor and CFO. His specializations are national politics, retirement and aging, global trade, U.S. fiscal policy, social services, business and financial services, civil liberties, and alternative economics. He has also written on anarchist theory, practice, and history for a variety of publications.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Part I: Social Security and the Reagan Revolution (1981-83)

1. A New Deal
2. “A Despicable Thing"
3. The “Third Rail” of American Politics
4. “Waiting for the Commission”
5. The Compromise of 1983

Part II: The Movement Against Social Security Is Born (1983-94)

6. Making the Case
7. “Generational Equity”
8. The War Against the Geezers
9. The Anti-Deficit Obsession
10. The Struggle for Austerity
11. Bob Kerrey Gets His Pulpit
12. Tax Cuts and Magic Bullets

Part III: Selling Privatization (1994-96)

13. “Just About Unanimous”
14. Privatization Repackaged
15. Wall Street Enlists
16. What's In It For Me?
17. Scary Numbers
18. The “Intergenerational Chain Letter
19. Modest Proposals
20. Chile's Pension Revolution

Part IV: Mating Dance (1996-99)

21. The Pension Revolution Comes Home
22. “Save Social Security First”
23. The Debate Hits the Road
24. Democratic Backlash
25. “So Surreal You Wouldn’t Believe It”
26. The Unbridgeable Gulf
27. Washington Politics and Public Opinion

Part V: The Social Security Election (1999-2000)

28. The Politics of Prosperity
29. Bush vs. Gore
30. The Road to Florida

Part VI: The Ownership Society (2001-05)

31. “Our One, Blinding-Sun Issue”
32. A Zero-to-One Shot
33. The Bush Commission Punts
34. Guns and Butter
35. Reaching for a Mandate
36. Karl Rove's Dream
37. Bush Rolls the Dice
38. “We Need Public Pressure”
39. Propaganda and Politicization
40. A Tipping Point
41. The Republican Debacle

Part VII: Back to Austerity (2006-11)

42. “No One Is Talking Anymore About a 'Permanent Republican Majority'”
43. The Rebirth of the Pain Caucus
44. Obama vs. McCain
45. Obama Stumbles
46. The Deficit Commission
47. The Return to Austerity
48. The Retirement Crisis

Epilogue

Editorial Reviews

"If you want to put the current struggle over Social Security’s future in context, read this book."—Mark Miller, RetirementRevised.com

"Independent financial reporter Laursen offers a breathtakingly comprehensive look at the history and politics behind ‘the largest income support program in the U.S.,’ ... Comprehensive and compelling reading on an important topic."—Booklist, starred review

"Eric Laursen has written a comprehensive and exhaustive history of the Social Security program in the United States. The People’s Pension is an honest, detailed and even eye-opening discussion of the program’s origins and continuing efforts to provide elderly and disabled Americans with a livable income. Equally important, it is a discussion of the attempts to alter and ultimately destroy the program by forces whose only interest seems to be profit and the elimination of any government institution that guarantees every citizen worker an income in their old age." — Ron Jacobs, CounterPunch

From the Publisher