{"product_id":"the-peoples-pension-the-struggle-to-defend-social-security-since-reagan-9781849351010","title":"The People's Pension: The Struggle to Defend Social Security Since Reagan","description":"\u003cp\u003eReaders mystified by the yawning gulf between public opinion and current political discussion might benefit from the background provided in Eric Laursen's magisterial history, 'The People's Pension: The Struggle to Defend Social Security Since Reagan' The book offers more than 800 pages of fascinating if gory details about the lobbying efforts and misinformation campaigns aimed at bringing the program down.--Nancy Folbre, NYTimes Economix Blog\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"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 \u003ci\u003eFalse Profits: Recovering From the Bubble Economy\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"This magnificent history documents the hydra-headed campaign to cut and kill Social Security, conducted over decades by rightwing bankers, foundations, economists, and politicians.  \u003ci\u003eThe People's Pension\u003c\/i\u003e] is utterly urgent.\"--James K. Galbraith, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Predator State\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe People's Pension\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEric Laursen\u003c\/b\u003e is an independent financial and political journalist, activist, and commentator. The co-founder and former managing editor of \u003ci\u003ePlan Sponso\u003c\/i\u003er, a magazine for pension fund executives, Laursen is also the co-author of \u003ci\u003eUnderstanding the Crash\u003c\/i\u003e (2010). His work has appeared in a wide variety of publications, including The Huffington Post, \u003ci\u003eThe Nation\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eInstitutional Investor\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Village Voice\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eInvestment Dealer's Digest\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e AK Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/29\/2012\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781849351010\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 750\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 2.70lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 2.40d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAward:\u003c\/b\u003e Independent Publisher Book Awards - Gold Medal Winner\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 04\/15\/2012 pg. 6\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eChoice\u003c\/i\u003e 12\/01\/2012\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist Editors Choice\/Adult\u003c\/i\u003e 01\/01\/2013 pg. 8\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Eric Laursen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43112150499509,"sku":"9781849351010","price":22.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_fe89e27f-a3ad-4c3f-bdde-5b4386f0d994.jpg?v=1693929763","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-peoples-pension-the-struggle-to-defend-social-security-since-reagan-9781849351010","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}