As unemployment persists at catastrophic levels, many—roughly
2 million in 2009 alone—are faced with no other option than to retire early and
permanently receive smaller Social Security payments. Paul Skidmore, a 63-year-old
man who found himself in this situation, expressed his indignation saying, “All
I want to do is work and nobody will hire me.” (Associated Press, Aug. 8)
Social Security was won in 1935 as a result of a massive
struggle waged by working-class people during the Great Depression. Early
retirements caused by the current economic crisis has put strains on the
program, prompting reactionary politicians to call for its privatization.
After a lifetime of work, everyone deserves the right to
retire with dignity. However, the only priority of the capitalist system is to
exploit poor and working people to the greatest extent and for the greatest
amount of time possible. Struggle won Social Security, and struggle can save
and expand it.
