Social Security: Does It Have A Future?
Social Security is one of the country's most important and successful social programs. It provides a large measure of economic security to the whole country, uniting the interests of the poor and the middle class. As the U. S. population ages and the working demographics shift to fewer and younger workers, the financial assumptions that keep Social Security solvent must be examined very critically so the best practical choices can be made today to ensure an optimistic future for our citizens. Dean Baker, the author of Social Security: The Phony Crisis (University of Chicago Press, 2000), argues that the projected shortfalls in Social Security are distant, relatively minor, and no larger than shortfalls that have been easily addressed in prior decades. Politicians are trying to scare the public about the health of Social Security in order to justify cutting or privatizing the system, while the health care system poses a much more serious and immediate problem for the health of the economy and the budget.
(PRWEB) April 12, 2005
Was the Social Security Crisis invented to advance a political agenda? Is this so-called crisis a distraction from the real problems facing the country? Recent projections from some politicians and policymakers suggest that Social Security is in dire straits. Is it or isnÂ’t it? What do the best available forecasts tell us about where the program will be if we leave it alone and what we can do to make it safer for our children, our grandchildren, and ourselves?
Dean Baker, the author of Social Security: The Phony Crisis (University of Chicago Press, 2000), argues that the projected shortfalls in Social Security are distant, relatively minor, and no larger than shortfalls that have been easily addressed in prior decades. Politicians are trying to scare the public about the health of Social Security in order to justify cutting or privatizing the system, while the health care system poses a much more serious and immediate problem for the health of the economy and the budget.
Dr. Dean Baker is Co-Director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington, D. C. He previously worked as a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute and was an assistant professor at Bucknell University. His recent publications include books and articles about Social Security, Medicare, the stock market bubble, pharmaceutical policy, globalization, the deficit, and the consumer price index. His columns have appeared in many major media outlets including the Atlantic Monthly, the Washington Post, and the London Financial Times. He reports on economics in major media outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and National Public Radio.
See Mr. Baker discuss “ Social Security: Does It Have A Future?” on April 21, 2005 from 6:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m., at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Chevy Chase Pavilion, Friendship Heights, Washington, D. C. To sign up, visit the National Capital Region World Future Society website at www. natcapwfs. org.
About National Capital Region World Future Society (NatCapWFS): Our organization is serving future interested and thinking citizens across the Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia region. NatCapWFS is the center for ideas, within the Region, that studies, explores and shapes the future. NatCapWFS hostsÂ’ monthly events open to the public. For event information, visit: www. natcapwfs. org.
###
