Social Security and the Middle-Class Squeeze : Fact and Fiction about America's Entitlement Programs
Editorial Reviews
Review
“The book has much to commend it, e.g., its convincing argument that the Social Security "trust fund" is meaningless, critique of official forecasts regarding the system, and warnings that Medicare reform deserves greater attention....General readers and upper-division undergraduate students.”–
“[A]n examination of the pressing social and economic problems of the American middle class and how they can be alleviated in an equitable and logical manner that will satisfy both the political right and the left.”–
“[A]n attempt to bridge the political and economic chasms that separate idea for solving the country's problems, the authors say they believe that Republicans and Democrats can sit down, make policies, admit mistakes and come up with solutions.”–
“The father-and-son team, who integrate two different political viewpoints (fiscally conservative and socially liberal), offer specific recommendations for improving Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid in socially responsible ways that relieve some of the stress on the middle class and promote upward mobility.”–
Book Description
At the outset of his second term, President Bush's proposal to partially privatize Social Security has touched off a debate of enormous proportion. Disentangling the rhetoric and hyperbole from fact is essential for anyone trying to evaluate the potential merits or pitfalls of the plan. Leonard and Mark Santow--a father-and-son team who integrate two different political viewpoints (fiscally conservative and socially liberal, respectively)--offer specific recommendations for improving Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid in socially responsible ways that relieve some of the stress on the middle class and promote upward mobility. Explaining sophisticated economic concepts in layman's terms, the Santows expose myths about how entitlement programs actually work, arguing, for example, that while the financial state of Social Security gets most of the press, Medicare and Medicaid are in much more serious trouble. They integrate conservative and liberal viewponts to propose a package of reforms that includes both tax cuts and increases and an overhaul of the government's economic forecasting system. Featuring a timeline of key events since Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act in 1935 and an appendix of data tables, the authors offer a primer for concerned citizens, policymakers, educators, students, and finance professionals--anyone with a stake in designing a system that pays for these essential programs in an equitable manner and contributes to our collective prosperity.
Social Security and the Middle-Class Squeeze : Fact and Fiction about America's Entitlement Programs
Social Security and the Middle-Class Squeeze : Fact and Fiction about America's Entitlement Programs,Leonard J. Santow,Mark E. Santow,Praeger Publishers,0275988813,Business & Economics,Business/Economics,Consumer Finance,Economic Conditions,Economics - General,Medicaid,Medicare,Personal Finance - Retirement Planning,Social security,United States,Business & Economics / Economics / General
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