Majority Want No Changes in Benefits( Changes in Entitlements, Not Benefits)

[cal04]

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/07/07/majority_want_no_changes_in_benefits.html

A new Pew Research poll finds 60% of Americans say "it is more important to keep Social Security and Medicare benefits as they are; only about half as many (32%) say it is more important to take steps to reduce the budget deficit."

Public Wants Changes in Entitlements, Not Changes in Benefits
GOP Divided Over Benefit Reductions
http://people-press.org/2011/07/07/public-wants-changes-in-entitlements-not-change-in-benefits/

As policymakers at the state and national level struggle with rising entitlement costs, overwhelming numbers of Americans agree that, over the years, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid have been good for the country.

But these cherished programs receive negative marks for current performance, and their finances are widely viewed as troubled. Reflecting these concerns, most Americans say all three programs either need to be completely rebuilt or undergo major changes. However, smaller majorities express this view than did so five years ago.

The public’s desire for fundamental change does not mean it supports reductions in the benefits provided by Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. Relatively few are willing to see benefit cuts as part of the solution, regardless of whether the problem being addressed is the federal budget deficit, state budget shortfalls or the financial viability of the entitlement programs.

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. What?

Social Security's entitlement is the benefits that a participant can expect.

SS Benefits ARE the entitlement.

[FreakinDJ]

2. Preserve Social Security and Medicare, show that 74 percent of likely 2012 voters

he new polls, from Social Security Works, The Alliance for Retired Americans and the National Committee To Preserve Social Security and Medicare, show that 74 percent of likely 2012 voters in Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, Virginia and Colorado say they would oppose cutting Social Security benefits in order to reduce the federal budget deficit. That opposition is fairly consistent across the five states, ranging from 71 percent opposed in Colorado to 78 percent opposed in Missouri.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/28/social-security-poll-benefits-cuts_n_885401.html

[OHdem10]

3. The WH had the people with them on every aspect. So they

decide to put themselves in a position of weakness
to negotiate.

[amborin]

4. yes, and majority wanted a public option, too

[chill_wind]

5. A large collation of polls- multiple polls-- tell the story here:

On multiple issues- social security, medicare, medicaid, military spending, taxes and more.


The American Majority Project Polling
May 09th, 2011

Our review of a broad range of reputable polls on economic issues finds a big difference between the policy solutions that dominate the discussion among policymakers and media pundits and what the majority of average citizens would like to be brought to the forefront.

http://www.ourfuture.org/report/2011051806/american-majority-project-polling