Yet another national poll finds overwhelming support for Social Security and Medicare over other budget cuts, even if it means higher payroll taxes.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans choose higher payroll taxes for Medicare and Social Security over reduced benefits in either program. And asked to choose among cuts to Medicare, Social Security or the nation’s third-largest spending program — the military — a majority by a large margin said cut the Pentagon.
While Americans are near-unanimous in calling deficits a problem — a “very serious” problem, say 7 out of 10 — a majority believes it should not be necessary for them to pay higher taxes to bridge the shortfall between what the government spends and what it takes in. But given a choice of often-discussed revenue options, they preferred a national sales tax or a limit in the deduction for mortgage interest to a higher gasoline tax or taxing employer-provided health benefits.
The Times presents the priorities for cuts in a series of graphics. This one screams out:
"If you had to choose one, which would you be willing to change in order to cut government spending":
(Image slightly altered to fit narrower margins.)
They hate taxes, but are willing to see payroll taxes increased to keep Social Security and Medicare at current benefit levels. That's how sacrosanct these programs are to the American people. But notice what they'd prefer to see cut--defense spending. This could create a bit of a problem for the Republican Study Committee with their proposal to slash $2.5 trillion from the budget without touching defense spending when re-election time comes 'round.