Pew and National Journal saw a dramatic shift over the last five months in the number of Americans who would make cutting the budget deficit a higher priority than spending more in attempt to stimulate the economy.
In February, 47% called cutting the budget deficit a priority; today, that number has risen to 51%. But while 47% also called attempting to stimulate the economy a priority back in February; today that number has fallen to just 40%.
Each week the Economist asks registered voters what they think is the most important issue facing Congress and federal policymakers. This week the economy ranks as the number one concern, health care is second, and social security is third.
Government finances is the same as personal finances magnified many times. If you have no debt you can manage even on a low income. If you have debt, it will eat you alive. As a nation, we’d have plenty of money for everything we want to do, if we had no debt. We’re a wealthy nation. Alexander De Tocqueville said :”The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money.” We’re about 80 years into this process and it’s getting hairy! We’re going to have to say it’s more important to get out of debt than to receive all our “entitlements.” Do we have the will to be this tough on ourselves? Our country’s very survival depends on it.