THE PEOPLE’S PENSION THE STRUGGLE TO DEFEND SOCIAL SECURITY SINCE REAGAN ERIC LAURSEN The People’s Pension: The Struggle to Defend Social Security Since Reagan © 2012 Eric Laursen This edition © 2012 AK Press (Oakland, Edinburgh, Baltimore) ISBN-13: 978-1-84935-101-0 | Ebook ISBN: 978-1-84935-108-9 Library of Congress Control Number: 2012933068 AK Press AK Press 674-A 23rd Street PO Box 12766 Oakland, CA 94612 Edinburgh EH8 9YE USA Scotland www.akpress.org www.akuk.com
[email protected] [email protected] The above addresses would be delighted to provide you with the latest AK Press distribution catalog, which features the several thousand books, pam- phlets, zines, audio and video products, and stylish apparel published and/ or distributed by AK Press. Alternatively, visit our web site for the complete catalog, latest news, and secure ordering. Visit us at www.akpress.org and www.revolutionbythebook.akpress.org. Printed in the U.S. on acid-free, recycled paper. Indexed by Chris Dodge Cover photo, “Thousands of Irate Senior Citizens Protesting at Capitol,” © Bettmann/CORBIS. Used by permission. To the memory of Lois Sherwin Laursen July 13, 1927–July 4, 2004 CONTENTS Prologue . 1 Part I: Social Security and the Reagan Revolution (1981–83) . 31 1 . A New Deal . 33 2 . “A Despicable Thing” . 51 3 . The “Third Rail” of American Politics . 67 4 . “Waiting for the Commission” . 79 5 . The Compromise of 1983 . 95 Part II: The Movement Against Social Security Is Born (1983–94) . 111 6 . Making the Case . 113 7 . “Generational Equity” .