Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Spend, save or draw?

Surprisingly, few Americans support decreases in federal government spending according to a PEW Research Center study.


In only two areas -- unemployment benefits and aid to the world's needy -- does the public favor a decrease over an increase.

I say these results are surprising for two reasons. First, it seemed as though the midterm elections were focused on deficit spending and decreasing federal spending as a whole. As it turns out, most people aren't ready to make those cuts. Perhaps all we heard were the loudest voices, not the people's voices.

Second, the wave of Tea Party candidates pushed an agenda of lower taxes. But lowering taxes and preserving the Bush tax cuts, while at the same time increasing spending, will inevitably lead to a deficit. We can't have it both ways.

Interestingly, perhaps we don't want it both ways. In a previous post, I pointed out that most Americans don't feel overtaxed. Again, perhaps all we heard were the loudest voices, not the people's voices.

Regardless, until the silent majority finds its voice, we're looking at political deadlock and party-line idiocy.

4 comments:

  1. American voters want to have their cake and eat it too. They want taxes cut, spending (at least on things they like) kept the same or increased, and the deficit eliminated. No matter what route the government takes, it's going to piss people off because they want magic.

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  2. This is so damn typical. Everybody agrees we shouldn't be in debt, but no one wants to be a grownup and make a sacrifice. There will be lots of pain ahead, rest assured.

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  3. It is good to know that Americans want to see more money spent on edu. This makes me feel a little bit better.

    BTW, is the blog title a take on the Win, Lose or Draw name?

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  4. First, I agree that we are all screwed unless we understand the simplicity of input and output.

    Second, it is a take on "Win, Lose or Draw." Aren't I clever?

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