As Republicans seek to blow up the global economy by not raising the debt ceiling in order to force cuts to Social Security and Medicare, it's worth revisiting two things: 1) the overwhelming popularity of both programs; 2) the overwhelming unpopularity of the Republican agenda.
The progressive consortium Navigator Research did both in its most recent poll.
Social Security and Medicare are far and away two of the most popular governmental programs in existence, with each of them garnering roughly 80% support from voters.
But wait, it gets better. The two programs poll in the 90s with voters over 65—one of Republicans' most loyal demographics. Fully 94% of voters 65+ view Social Security favorably, while 91% hold a favorable view of Medicare.
It's tantamount to committing political suicide: Voters over 65 are one of the GOP's most loyal voting blocs. In 2022, 65+ voters chose Republicans over Democrats by 12 points.
Perhaps not surprisingly, voters overall have low expectations for the GOP, with just 1 in 4 saying House Republicans will leave the House better off, including just 15% of independents in the survey. In fact, 62% of independents say they disapprove of how Republicans in Congress are handling their jobs.
At the moment, the future isn't looking bright for the GOP.
Sign and send the petition to your members of Congress: NO HOSTAGE TAKING for the debt ceiling!!!
Markos and Kerry are joined by University of St. Andrews Professor of Strategic Studies, Phillips P. O’Brien. O’Brien, an expert in military history, explains how we got to where we are right now, what is unique about the world’s reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the parallels between the conservative movement’s isolationism in World War II and now.