Commentary: A political farewell to one of the best friends Social Security ever had in Congress

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Set us as preferred The youth movement among our political leaders, especially among Democrats, is in full cry.On the whole, this looks to be a positive inflection point in our political leadership, empowering a new generation of leaders advocating needed changes in the government’s relationship with its constituents.

But in some particulars it’s misplaced.As the smoke from the recent party primaries clears, it’s proper to take stock in what we’ve lost, alongside what we may gain from a changing of the guard.For example, take Rep.

John B.Larson (D-Conn.), 78, who was turfed out of his seat in his state’s Aug.

11 primary by his Democratic challenger, former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, 47.When it comes to fighting for Social Security, no one has worked harder than Rep.

Larson.— Social Security advocates Nancy Altman, Max Richtman and Rich Fiesta, the day before Larson’s defeat in a Democratic primaryGiven that Larson is in his 28th year as a member of congress, it sounds reasonable to suggest that it’s his time to go.But that means overlooking Larson’s most important role in the House, as a member of both the majority and (currently) the minority.

And that’s his persistent campaign to preserve Social Security — indeed, to enhance it so it serves today’s workers as well or better than it has served Americans since its enactment in 1935.There doesn’t seem to be much risk that Bronin’s election, which looks likely, will undermine the progressive faction in the House.

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