Even Tea Partiers Do Not Support Cutting Social Security

[Hannah Bell]

It seems that the efforts of the austerians to cow the public into cutting Social Security and Medicare are not getting traction. And Tea Party adherents are breaking with the Republican party line on this issue.

From the Wall Street Journal:

Less than a quarter of Americans support trimming Social Security or Medicare to tackle the country’s budget deficit, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll that illustrates the challenge facing lawmakers seeking voter support for altering entitlement programs.

The poll, conducted between Feb. 24 and 28, found strong opposition for cuts to these entitlement programs across all age groups and ideologies. Even tea party supporters, by a nearly 2-to-1 margin, declared cuts to Social Security “unacceptable.”….

The survey also found a sharp uptick in desire for the government to do more “to help meet the needs of people.” Just over half of people in the survey backed more government involvement, the highest percentage since February 2009, just after President Barack Obama’s inauguration.

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http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2011/03/even-tea-party-members-do-not-support-cutting-social-security.html#comments

[Jmaxfie1]

1. That's cause most of them are on it ;) n/t

[Island Blue]

7. Exactly what I was going to say.

;-)

[vaberella]

2. Why? It's socialist-- these people are dumb. n/t

[liberal N proud]

3. Unexpected consequences when you vote stupidly

They should have thought of that before pushing these bastards through the electorate
:nuke:

[NightWatcher]

5. what you said X1000

[mmonk]

4. Too late.

[progressoid]

8. Yup. +1

[customerserviceguy]

6. It depends

If they think they're cuts affecting people who are on Social Security now, they're against it. If it involves cuts for people that have barely been born yet, they might have a different opinion.

If you asked the question, "Should the minimum age for a full Social Security benefit be gradually raised from where it is at 67 years of age to 70 years of age fifty years from now?" you'd probably get a different answer than what this poll says. People are usually OK with cuts they don't see impacting them personally.

[Oilwellian]

9. Doubtful

Most in America do not believe one should have to work until they're 70 before being eligible to retire. Particularly those who have jobs that demand physical labor. I doubt those who are about to retire now will impose that heavy burden on their children and grandchildren.