Most Want A Free Lunch

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Americans overwhelmingly say that in general they prefer cutting government spending to paying higher taxes ...

Of course, but ...

Yet their preference for spending cuts, even in programs that benefit them, dissolves when they are presented with specific options related to Medicare and Social Security, the programs that directly touch the most people and also are the biggest drivers of the government’s projected long-term debt.

So, who's going to pay for it all?

If Medicare benefits have to be reduced, the most popular option is raising premiums on affluent beneficiaries. Similarly, if Social Security benefits must be changed to make the program more financially sound, a broad majority prefers the burden fall on the wealthy.

But, of course.

Link via Calculated Risk.

Comments

[Francis W. Porretto]

Because, apparently very few of us think of ourselves as "wealthy." But our modest opinion of our own wealth isn't shared by those in power, as we will soon come to realize.

[Mike T]

Social Security could be saved if the following were done:

1) Remove all veterans and federal civilian retirees.

2) Remove all state retirees.

3) Remove all private sector pensioners.

4) Remove everyone with at least $1M in 401k value.

I'll never see any benefits from this system, which is part of the reason why I have no problem taking it away from others. I won't even qualify for about another 35 or more years for it. However, we can make it substantially less burdensome in the meantime.