After progress towards achieving major income security goals during the 1960s and 1970s, economic slowdown and public reaction against "the welfare state" have curtailed direct intervention by the federal government for these purposes. Absolute poverty and welfare dependency have increased in the 1980s, especially among the young. Major gaps also remain in affordable housing and health insurance coverage among the lower middle class, and there is a growing need for long-term care among the aged. A resurgence of economic growth is needed to facilitate political consensus for income security policies to improve these conditions. Data are presented on nine tables and figures. Footnotes are included. (Author/BJV)