WaPo Poll - American's think money grows on trees

[30ashopper]

Despite growing concerns about the country’s long-term fiscal problems and an intensifying debate in Washington about how to deal with them, Americans strongly oppose some of the major remedies under consideration, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

The survey finds that Americans prefer to keep Medicare just the way it is. Most also oppose cuts in Medicaid and the defense budget. More than half say they are against small, across-the-board tax increases combined with modest reductions in Medicare and Social Security benefits. Only President Obama’s call to raise tax rates on the wealthiest Americans enjoys solid support.

Poll shows Americans oppose entitlement cuts to deal with debt problem - The Washington Post

We want our Medicare, we want our Social Security, we want our Medicaid, and we want our defense spending. Let's see, all of these combined plus debt service equaled about 72% of total spending in 2010, and the revenue generated from taxing the rich doesn't even come close to covering our losses. Without strong leadership on the issue, we're doomed.

 

[30ashopper]

Actually, if you throw in "other mandatory spending" on things like food stamps, student aid, disabled services, and unemployment, the total is around 81% of total spending. Plus that doesn't include discretionary spending required to operate all these services.

 

[MrMentalFitness]

The focus is in the wrong place thanks to blind leadership. Blind leadership is in place because of a blind populace.

The focus needs to be on changing the values of the populace - We The People.

We're cannibalizing ourselves.

Until the Citizenry lessens its NEED for government, there will be reduction neither in its size nor its vampiric appetites.

Attempts to legislate it has the same effect as attempting to legislating against sin.

An addict can make up all the rules he can conceive of to demand he not use, but as long as he desires to use, he will break his own rules.

The People need a change of heart, and there's been no leadership (Right, Left, or otherwise) to inspire The American People to tap into its true potential.

 

[scooterbug44]

Of course people think money grows on trees - how do you think the housing bubble, credit card debt, and the massive deficit happened?

 

[Beauty hunter]

:shock:Money doesn't grow on trees?
I don't know why I like that guy smiley- I think it's the crazy expression on his face- it just makes me laugh

 

[TNJed]

If one can't manage money now, more money is not the solution. In fact, it will exacerbate the situation. Governments are just like people. Ever see the lottery shows where the winners blow all their money in a few years? All we need is more fiat and taxes and then everything will be ok. /sarc

If we don't voluntarily cut spending drastically and I mean drastically, it will be done involuntarily. A lot easier to choose than to be forced but that's what will happen. Nobody is paying attention to the underlying problem because the banking cartel wants it that way. Let them eat iPad.

National debt, 103% of GDP. And that will only grow because our currency has interest too. Any economy based on that simple concept is doomed to fail. The interest along becomes unmanageable because the input must increase just to supply an equal output. It's thermodynamics 101. If Einstein couldn't solve cold-fusion, Bernake and his keepers won't either. There will be a great rebalancing of currencies world wide before long. They will be pegged to the IMFs SDR (special drawing rights) which will be pegged to gold, though not convertible. He who holds the gold makes the rules.

I agree money doesn't grow on trees, it grows on a cotton plant. The real cash crop!

God help us all.