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Social Security Works!: Why Social Security Isn t Going Broke and How Expanding It Will Help Us All
A growing chorus of prominent voices in Congress and elsewhere are calling for the expansion of our Social Security system—people who know that Social Security will not “go broke” and does not add a penny to the national debt. Social Security Works! will amplify these voices and offer a powerful antidote to the three-decade-long, billionaire-funded campaign to make us believe that this vital institution is destined to collapse. It isn’t.
From the Silent Generation to Baby Boomers, from Generation X to Millennials and Generation Z, we all have a stake in understanding the real story about Social Security. Critical to addressing the looming retirement crisis that will affect two- thirds of today’s workers, Social Security is a powerful program that can help stop the collapse of the middle class, lessen the pressure squeezing families from all directions, and help end the upward redistribution of wealth that has resulted in perilous levels of inequality.
All Americans deserve to have dignified retirement years as well as an umbrella to protect them and their families in the event of disability or premature death. Sure to be a game-changer, Social Security Works! cogently presents the issues and sets forth both an agenda and a political strategy that will benefit us all. At stake are our values and the kind of country we want for ourselves and for those that follow.
From the Silent Generation to Baby Boomers, from Generation X to Millennials and Generation Z, we all have a stake in understanding the real story about Social Security. Critical to addressing the looming retirement crisis that will affect two- thirds of today’s workers, Social Security is a powerful program that can help stop the collapse of the middle class, lessen the pressure squeezing families from all directions, and help end the upward redistribution of wealth that has resulted in perilous levels of inequality.
All Americans deserve to have dignified retirement years as well as an umbrella to protect them and their families in the event of disability or premature death. Sure to be a game-changer, Social Security Works! cogently presents the issues and sets forth both an agenda and a political strategy that will benefit us all. At stake are our values and the kind of country we want for ourselves and for those that follow.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2015
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184 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 12, 2015
Informative, but with notable historical errors
Per the header, this book is informative about how Social Security works, and why, and about Pete Peterson, the Koch Bros and others launching attacking against it, and President Obama, per Teddy Roosevelt, not having the backbone of a chocolate eclair to defend Social Security.
However, the authors make some BIG missteps on how Social Security got started, big enough that, with all the apple polishing of other reviewers, the book deserves a two-star ding, because you can read other books about how Social Security works and how bazillionaires hate it.
FDR did not magically dream up Social Security, either by himself or with the help of Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins. Nor did he magically decide to push for the adoption of Social Security himself.
Instead, he had to be pushed, and pushed hard, into making it part of his second New Deal in 1935. That's after Francis Townsend pushed his Townsend Plan in California. That's after Upton Sinclair ran for governor of California in 1934 on his Townsend-based EPIC plan, and FDR himself connived with the California Democratic Party to kneecap Sinclair. That's after Huey Long pushed his Share the Wealth ideas.
After FDR finally pushed for Social Security, he had to be pushed by Townsend-organized activists to increase the originally planned benefits, and to start the payout in 1940 instead of 1942.
It also has a present-day error or two. Yes, folks like the Center for American Progress allegedly are fighting to "save" Social Security. However, the authors don't tell you that CAP has repeatedly supported trimming Social Security benefits by changing how its cost-of-living adjustments are calculated to using the chained CPI, a move they deride earlier in the book.
To put it bluntly, allegedly "progressive" Democratic think tanks arguing for the chained CPI is just a mirror of the old GOP argument for eating hamburger instead of steak when meat prices go up. But, if you're already eating hamburger, and not very often, and your OTC medication or prescription prices go up, then that argument for the chained CPI is totally idiotic.
I know the authors know this. Why they insisted on telling falsehoods about the start of Social Security, and elisions about "liberal" think tanks today, I have no idea. But, it hurts their credibility.
Per the header, this book is informative about how Social Security works, and why, and about Pete Peterson, the Koch Bros and others launching attacking against it, and President Obama, per Teddy Roosevelt, not having the backbone of a chocolate eclair to defend Social Security.
However, the authors make some BIG missteps on how Social Security got started, big enough that, with all the apple polishing of other reviewers, the book deserves a two-star ding, because you can read other books about how Social Security works and how bazillionaires hate it.
FDR did not magically dream up Social Security, either by himself or with the help of Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins. Nor did he magically decide to push for the adoption of Social Security himself.
Instead, he had to be pushed, and pushed hard, into making it part of his second New Deal in 1935. That's after Francis Townsend pushed his Townsend Plan in California. That's after Upton Sinclair ran for governor of California in 1934 on his Townsend-based EPIC plan, and FDR himself connived with the California Democratic Party to kneecap Sinclair. That's after Huey Long pushed his Share the Wealth ideas.
After FDR finally pushed for Social Security, he had to be pushed by Townsend-organized activists to increase the originally planned benefits, and to start the payout in 1940 instead of 1942.
It also has a present-day error or two. Yes, folks like the Center for American Progress allegedly are fighting to "save" Social Security. However, the authors don't tell you that CAP has repeatedly supported trimming Social Security benefits by changing how its cost-of-living adjustments are calculated to using the chained CPI, a move they deride earlier in the book.
To put it bluntly, allegedly "progressive" Democratic think tanks arguing for the chained CPI is just a mirror of the old GOP argument for eating hamburger instead of steak when meat prices go up. But, if you're already eating hamburger, and not very often, and your OTC medication or prescription prices go up, then that argument for the chained CPI is totally idiotic.
I know the authors know this. Why they insisted on telling falsehoods about the start of Social Security, and elisions about "liberal" think tanks today, I have no idea. But, it hurts their credibility.
July 21, 2018
I would consider this book to be a must read for anyone curious about the state of social security. It makes a compelling argument against the current public perception of the program (lies and misinformation like the claims that it's a Ponzi scheme, going broke, will fail, is unfaire, is racist, was never meant to pay out to anyone, needs to be cut, and that it's trust does not exist) and injects a needed dose of truth into how SS works. And even better, how to fix it.
Certainly, it's not perfect. The book looses me when it start to preach for it's social security expansion bill, and the language might be too progressive/liberal for others (not for me mind you) but at the end of the day this is a minor issue
The policies suggested that make the most sense to me:
-increasing the cap on payroll deductions to represent 90% of wage earners (if not eliminateing the cap entirely).
-moving 40% of the trust fund from government bonds to indexed stocks
- increasing payroll taxes by one percent over a 20 year period.
Such reform would keep SS funded and solvent, and could even allow an expansion via a more generous inflation adjustment metric (or at least prevent future cuts to the program).
The book is very partisan at times. Stick to their data and facts when reading, and do your own research on the politics and policies. If you do that you will find this book to be a great resource.
Certainly, it's not perfect. The book looses me when it start to preach for it's social security expansion bill, and the language might be too progressive/liberal for others (not for me mind you) but at the end of the day this is a minor issue
The policies suggested that make the most sense to me:
-increasing the cap on payroll deductions to represent 90% of wage earners (if not eliminateing the cap entirely).
-moving 40% of the trust fund from government bonds to indexed stocks
- increasing payroll taxes by one percent over a 20 year period.
Such reform would keep SS funded and solvent, and could even allow an expansion via a more generous inflation adjustment metric (or at least prevent future cuts to the program).
The book is very partisan at times. Stick to their data and facts when reading, and do your own research on the politics and policies. If you do that you will find this book to be a great resource.
July 12, 2015
This book was informative but I felt a little misled by the title. I clearly expected it to be more objective. A better title might be Support the Social Security Works All Generations Plan. I was also annoyed by all the references to how we are such a wealthy nation and therefore should be able to afford to increase benefits. There was no reference to personal responsibility at all. I agree Social Security keeps millions out of poverty. However, numerous Americans are more dependent on this program than they should be simply because we've forgotten how to save and are too focused on keeping up with the Jones'. Simple things like mandatory financial literacy classes in high school and considering it predatory lending to allow anyone over 40 to get a 30 year mortgage on their primary residence (legislation should ban this) could make a huge difference in retirement readiness for the masses.
I found the text about Social Security being an insurance program thought provoking. I can see why Reagan didn't agree on that point. The authors certainly played down the fact that millions who never worked a day in their life (and therefore didn't pay premiums throughout their life) qualify for benefits simply due to their spouse.
I found the text about Social Security being an insurance program thought provoking. I can see why Reagan didn't agree on that point. The authors certainly played down the fact that millions who never worked a day in their life (and therefore didn't pay premiums throughout their life) qualify for benefits simply due to their spouse.
June 30, 2016
An accessible, clearly argued, and persuasive case for expanding Social Security and a strong defense of the values on which it was founded (and represents). The book explains the historical roots of the push to cut Social Security and debunks the lies that such (well-funded) advocates use.
That said, I have a few criticisms. I found it strange for the authors to speak of the 1983 SS "fix" bill positively in the first chapter as a sign of pro-SS bipartisanship when they spoke about its negative impacts later on. I think the discussion of the neoliberal turn was a bit oversimplified (such as not really addressing its roots pre-1980). And I would have been interested in seeing the authors explain why some (not too many, thankfully) Democrats have promoted the anti-SS agenda. I was thinking about this when the narrative reaches the Obama presidency (and his multiple efforts to cut social insurance programs). It would have been good to have a clearer articulation of the answer to "cui bono?" (in this specific story) and who had the president's ear (and why he chose to listen).
That said, it's a very timely book now that expanding Social Security is growing in popularity as an idea within the Democratic Party, and I'd highly recommend it.
That said, I have a few criticisms. I found it strange for the authors to speak of the 1983 SS "fix" bill positively in the first chapter as a sign of pro-SS bipartisanship when they spoke about its negative impacts later on. I think the discussion of the neoliberal turn was a bit oversimplified (such as not really addressing its roots pre-1980). And I would have been interested in seeing the authors explain why some (not too many, thankfully) Democrats have promoted the anti-SS agenda. I was thinking about this when the narrative reaches the Obama presidency (and his multiple efforts to cut social insurance programs). It would have been good to have a clearer articulation of the answer to "cui bono?" (in this specific story) and who had the president's ear (and why he chose to listen).
That said, it's a very timely book now that expanding Social Security is growing in popularity as an idea within the Democratic Party, and I'd highly recommend it.
October 19, 2016
The authors set out to explode the myths and falsehoods that have sprung up around Social Security in the last 70 years, and they do a fine job of it. They deal with the full scope of arguments around the program, including benefit cuts, privatization, and sustainability. The book is well supported by evidence and argument, and many of their points helped me see the subject in a new light. The best way to preserve Social Security is not to cut off the weak parts, but to strengthen them. We can't let our future be sold out because the Baby Boomer (worst generation) generation is a bit large. If anyone can recommend a similar close treatment of part of our government I’d love to read it.
March 27, 2015
Young and old should read this easy to read book so they understand the debate about Social Security, how it is funded and how it works. I have been hearing misinformation repeated over and over again since the 1970's by friends, teachers and Congressmen and the press. This book explains why and gives the reader information to combat the "same old saw" when the subject comes up. To allow the misinformation to circulate and the lies to continue could cause the end of one of the best programs that protects everyone who works.
July 31, 2017
If you have ever heard that Social Security won't be there when you retire this is the book for you. It takes apart the claims against Social Security with lots of data and information to back up the fact that Social Security has been the backbone of providing reliable income for older americans. It also talks about what can be done to help make it an even better program and how we need to fight against the dismantling or trying to privatize Social Security. I learned a lot reading this book.
February 3, 2015
I enjoyed this book. It is an easier read than the subject matter implies. You can zip through it, learn, enjoy and charge forth as an informed advocate or educated citizen.
It certainly provides the reader with good information to boost the argument about the importance of keeping Social Security sound. That alone is worth the read.
It certainly provides the reader with good information to boost the argument about the importance of keeping Social Security sound. That alone is worth the read.
July 14, 2017
An important read on misconceptions and falsehoods about social security. Easy and quick to digest. Could have gone deeper into some of the ways both parties have tried to screw us on social security but perhaps the focus on the book was more on how and why it works.
February 19, 2015
Must read
Not sure if I have finished the book.. Was going to chapter 11 When I got here. Baratta.jennifer@yahoo.com and wondering if this is rushed.
Not sure if I have finished the book.. Was going to chapter 11 When I got here. Baratta.jennifer@yahoo.com and wondering if this is rushed.
May 9, 2018
Very informative. Not nearly as objective as I would have liked and that bleeds into the message a bit (believe it or not Obama is not the cause of all the world's problems) Also, from what I learned in school and what I'm reading there are a few minor, but very real discrepancies in the history of social security as is described here.
Regardless, I learned a lot in this comprehensive breakdown of social security, where it's been, and where it's going.
And I also like myself a little bit less for picking this up and genuinely treating it as a page turner.
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Actually, no, no I don't. Readers read. That's what we do. Now excuse me while I dive into the very deep, rich history of the renowned Cabbage Patch Kids. 😂
Regardless, I learned a lot in this comprehensive breakdown of social security, where it's been, and where it's going.
And I also like myself a little bit less for picking this up and genuinely treating it as a page turner.
......
......
......
Actually, no, no I don't. Readers read. That's what we do. Now excuse me while I dive into the very deep, rich history of the renowned Cabbage Patch Kids. 😂
February 28, 2018
A must read for those who believe Social Security is going broke. Don’t believe what the politicians are saying. There are a lot of numbers to absorb, but the premise is loud and clear, “Don’t mess with my Social Secuirty!”
February 12, 2015
This book certainly opened my eyes to the soundness of our Social Security system, and it exposes many of the myths claiming that the system is on the verge of failure. In fact, with modest adjustments, Social Security benefits could be expanded to "promote the general Welfare" of our citizens, one of the primary Constitutional aims of our government.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
January 27, 2015
Outstanding and comprehensive description/analysis of our most popular and important government program. I urge everyone to read this and internalize it. The forces that have always been against social security are alive and well and coming after you. They want your retirement income, they will stop at nothing to try and get it. We must fight them with everything we've got.
June 20, 2023
(Read in gym, where can get LARGE type. I really wanted to read this book, but when I got it the words were so small I had a hard time even with my readers. I'm going to try to find a large type version.
August 11, 2015
Very interesting read...maybe we will have something after all.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews