Michael Hiltzik of the Los Angeles Times, himself a big friend of Social Security, has a column out bemoaning John Larson’s defeat in the primary race to continue representing his Connecticut district in the House of Representatives. Larson has been the Chairman and now Ranking Member of the House Social Security Subcommittee. There is much to admire in Larson’s career. He has certainly been a huge friend to Social Security. However, while there are strong explanations, Larson has been quite ineffective in passing Social Security legislation.
John B. Larson has been asleep at the wheel for a long time. Thanks for your service but we need fighters in Congress.
ReplyDeleteLarson is the case study for generational change. He did not lose because he fought for Social Security. He lost because Democratic voters increasingly distinguish between fighting for something and actually getting it done. His Social Security proposals built a loyal constituency but never the bipartisan governing coalition needed to survive divided government. At home, meanwhile, a changing electorate became less impressed by seniority and more impatient with a political culture that continually promised action next year. Younger Democrats have watched the extraordinary speed with which the Trump administration has exercised power and drawn their own lesson: government can move quickly when its leaders decide that it should. Larson's defeat was therefore less a repudiation of his causes than a demand for urgency. That isn't democracy failing. It is democracy renewing itself.
ReplyDeleteThis. I mean the guy probably did a fair bit of good but the incremental centrist glacier-style politics was not cutting the mustard. Plus, not that every pol in the 70 plus set should be out, but you’d better make a damn compelling case if you want to keep your job.
ReplyDeleteOne big knock on effect of the MAGA years is that people see norms being broken and a collective shrug from many. The postwar consensus is well and truly shattered and what takes its place will likely lurch from right to left and maybe back again. These republicans who think they can seize on an idea of being Trump lite should remember that life comes at you fast sometimes.
Let the leaders/representatives come from the generations that will be most affected by Social Security solvency and efficiency issues. It’s beyond time for a change. John Larson was a first time representative at one point in his career as well.
ReplyDeleteBeing a friend to SSA has gotten us to 40% of our staff not even being paid a livable wage; increasingly cumbersome and complex policies and procedures with systems that can’t keep up and don’t work together, making our jobs harder to do; wages that haven’t kept up with inflation; increased employee attrition; and a 50 year staffing low.
ReplyDeleteThat is all before the current administration has wreaked even more havoc on the agency.
Now, our staffing levels are even lower, the remaining staff are overworked and completely demoralized. We got a 1% “raise” this year, scheduled to be 0 next year.
The enemies are much worse, but the friends haven’t done much to actually help us. Time for someone different.
Hate to say it but once I saw he was formally endorsed by O’Malley, I knew he was toast. Anyone see those DNC Chair election results?
ReplyDeleteThe guy replacing him will be exactly the same: minimal accomplishments until he ages and loses his own primary.
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