The Imminent Attack on Social Security & Medicare - 01/09/13

Dr. Jack Rasmus interviews Eric Laursen, author of the just published definitive book on “Social Security: The Peoples’ Pension”. With Fiscal Cliff, Austerity American Style, deficit cutting negotiations in Congress now in its second phase, emerging is the central focus by both Republicans and Democrats on big cuts to Medicare and Social Security, in exchange for a debt ceiling deal 2.0.  It’s ‘back to the future’ and a repeat of August 2011 and the first ‘debt ceiling deal’ where trillions in spending were cut in exchange for a deal on the debt ceiling.  Social Security and Medicare have never been in such danger.  Jack and Eric discuss the facts vs. fear-mongering by politicians about social security retirement and medicare.

Jack’s guest, Eric Laursen is an independent journalist and activist who has been writing and reporting on politics, the economy, the financial sector, and retirement for many years. His work has appeared in such publications as the Village Voice, The Nation, Institutional Investor, Counterpunch, Z Magazine, and elsewhere. His most recent book, The People's Pension: The Struggle to Defend Social Security Since Reagan," was just named one of Booklist's Editor's Choice award winners for 2012. Eric lives in western Massachusetts and is also a longtime antiwar and social justice activist.