That is not to say that any of these are desirable, or in any way to condemn Bartlett’s explanation in the current case. I just think he can afford to cast a wider net.

“Benefits and services targeted at the most needy rather than the middle class”

….Who does the author think are all these people declaring bankruptcy because of medical bills or real estate speculation? Bridge dwellers? And didn’t he ever look at those stats that were being bandied about during Bush’s effort to privatize part of SS that showed the importance of social security income to retirees. As I recall SS payments were over 50% of income for 80% of retirees and 100% of income for 40% of retirees. The middle class in America is vast and lives to a large extent on a knife edge with no safety net. A serious illness, prolonged unemployment can destroy a middle class family very easily. I’ve read Bartlett’s book. He makes entire sense.