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In a poll just released today, Time provides results that show Americans staunchly opposed to cuts in Social Security, Medicare or healthcare, but in favor of cutting spending on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. With Alan Simpson and the Catfood Commission so determined to cut Social Security and Medicare, we can now state that they are going directly against over 80% of citizens in this effort.
The question posed was “If Congress and the President had to reduce spending, which of these areas would you reduce spending?” The areas included were Social Security, Medicare, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, education, unemployment compensation for people out of work and looking for jobs, healthcare, Medicaid (which provides health care for low income families) and defense spending other than the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Here are the results for these questions:
| Category | Would reduce, % | Would not reduce, % |
| Social Security | 12 | 86 |
| Medicare | 16 | 82 |
| Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq | 55 | 41 |
| Education | 17 | 82 |
| Unemployment compensation for people out of work and looking for jobs | 34 | 63 |
| Healthcare | 28 | 68 |
| Medicaid, which provides health care for low income families | 20 | 77 |
| Defense spending other than the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan | 46 | 50 |
The full poll can be read here.
Note that the only category where a majority of citizens would cut funding is the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, while opinion is nearly equally divided on cuts to defense spending other than the wars. Citizens are very strongly opposed to cuts in spending areas those on the Catfood Commission would deride as "entitlements". It appears that most citizens wish to continue spending in those areas.
As a follow–up to the desire to cut spending for the wars, it should also be noted that a new Bloomberg poll out today finds that a full 58% of those polled think the war in Afghanistan is a lost cause while only 36% believe that the US can still win the war.
The bottom line, then, is that citizens see spending related to the social safety net as worthwhile, and spending on a war that is a lost cause to be a poor investment. When the Catfood Commission returns its pre-ordained plan to cut Social Security and Medicare, it will be pushing for cuts that over 80% of citizens oppose.
45 Comments
Right. But when does the President, or his hand-picked minions, ever listen to the American people?
Simple. Almost never.
Gemini: I think he’s going to be listening to them in about 15 weeks.
In fact, I don’t give a shit if he’s sitting under his desk in the Oval Office, with his hands over his ears; I bet he’ll be able to hear them.
Of course, that kicks us right back to the same old question of:
Will Obama and the democratic “leadership” be secretly relieved if they get their political asses handed to them on November 2nd? Those big majorities are a terrible burden, with all the expectations they entail. Maybe WE should listen closely; perhaps we’ll hear a sigh of contentment.
Indeed. The strength of Obama’s party in Congress made clear what is often hidden from view (thanks to the connivance of the corporate media): The Democrats have no problem at all with most of what the GOP wants and does when it has power; not only do the interests of both parties mostly overlap, they serve the same masters.
szielinski: I fear you’re right.
It’s tweedle-dum and tweedle-dee.
And the reality is that the voters will almost surely punish the ins more than the outs.
Why not?
Good post wrong poll. The only poll that counts is the richest 1% that controls the country.
Polls of the little people are “interesting”.
That a majority wouldn’t cut defense exposes the mindlessness and fear of others that drives the offense department.
People still over-estimate the amount given in foreign aid. So, their opinion in polls must be taken with a grain of salt.
Still, on this poll they seem to have it about right except for ‘defense spending’. Maybe they don’t really want their taxes lowered all that much or maybe they don’t realize how much of their tax dollars goes toward ‘defense’ and for what it’s being used.
I predict the Catfood Commission, Obama, and the Democratic Party controlled Congress will cut social security — even though 86% of the voters oppose it — AND I predict they also will pass a law continuing the Bush tax cuts for the rich that are now set to expire at the end of this year.
Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if they abolish Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid AND end all taxes for the rich!
Obama has shocked me so often that nothing he does can surprise me anymore. He’s a clear and present danger to my health and security and I ain’t alone in that regard. He’s asking for trouble.
Dead on target!
The only sound heard after their smashing of these lifelines for so many, will be the crushing of the bones!
Snare drums . . . and faint from farther distance borne . . . were heard the clanging hoof and horn.
Credit to Sir Walter Scott and Lady of the Lake (except for the snare drums).
The Obama administration definitely puts to rest the oft-repeated lesser evil argument. After all, it doesn’t take a village to destroy welfare, Wall Street, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Iran, America’s civil liberties and much else. It takes a DLC Democrat.
Bush/Cheney did all those things. There is no way to blame Obama for the shipreck that they left in their wake. The problem is Obama really has done pretty well cleaning up the mess, but lost control of the political message. Buy you cannot rewrite history any more than Karl Rove. The Bush/Cheney sold their country out to Big Oil, Big Pharma and corporatism on Wall Street in order to bolster their own private fortunes and that of their buddies. History will tell it all and Bush/Cheney will be the tyrants of the 21st century who abused their powers to feed their egos and advance failed policies. They used 9/11 for their personal gain and it will be revealed.
Not if the Texas School Book Depository has anything to say about it.
(How many here know the meaning of “the Texas School Book Depository”?) Just checking
What, actually, did Obama clean up?
Absolutely! Just what HAS Obama “cleaned up”?
Daaamn. I take that free 17 month vacation in Club Med/Antarctica and miss out on all the good news.
I guess I missed it when Obama:
1) Declared the GWOT, including the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan to be misguided lost causes and wastes of American lives and trillions of taxpayer dollars
2) Declared the Patriot Act to be a dangerous assault on civil liberties and proposed legislation to reverse it’s effects.
3) Supported a government-sponsored single-payer health insurance plan or legislation to prohibit for-profit health-care insurance and submit legislation for stringent regulation of health-care insurers and guaranteed access for all Americans to affordable health care services.
4) Recognized the Wall St financial casino as a clear and present danger to our economy and society and supported serious, far-reaching reforms to reign in its power such as a financial transactions tax, the break up of over sized, insolvent banking institutions, the restoration of Depression-era regulations such as Glass-Steagel and reduction in mortgage principal for homeowners impacted by the collapse of the housing bubble.
5) Did SOMETHING about 15-20% real unemployment (with the propsect of it continuing for many years ahead) other than a pre-compromised, underpowered stimulus bill.
6) Appointed an independent commission to investigate war crimes and abuses of civil liberties committed during the Bush administration.
8) Reversed the expansion of executive power and state secrecy that Bush and Cheney championed.
7) Gave more than lip service to the Employee Free Choice Act and other reforms of labor law.
In every one of these areas Obama has either continued and expanded on what Bush and Cheney did or worked to sabotage true progressive reforms in favor of highly watered down substitutes in line with his right-wing corporatist, militarist leanings.
He hasn’t done dick to “clean up” or “reverse” what Bush and Cheney did because he’s mostly in agreement with their program. Instead he has insidiously co-opt Democrats and liberals into supporting actions and policies that they opposed when Bush and Cheney were in charge. He’s the ultimate political Trojan horse.
Mason I rhink you are spot on.Just 2 days ago Obama had Clinton at the WH.
remember BClinton the guy who started NAFTA & GATT and used the media to tell Americans it would be good thing….shipping our jobs overseas.
At that Time CNN had Bill Press doing Crossfire ..he was selling Clinton’s NAFTA to Americans.
And now the WH has more than enough Corporate progressives in the Media particularly at MSNBC(Olberman,Maddow & Shultz) to sell their lies, distortions & crap to Americans.
Jim, I just love the moniker, “Catfood Commission!” It has so many layers of meaning.
Jane certainly has a way with words, doesn’t she? And it’s being picked up by more folks. Even Alan Grayson is using it.
Yes, the phrase is catching on!!! If you put “catfood commission” in quotes, google gives you 27,000 hits.
But Jim, if Obama can’t get his hands on the SS lockbox, how will he fund the really important stuff, like sustaining Operation Enduring Shitmire, in Afghanistan?
You make a good point…..;^}
ROTFLMAO
Great line.
same here, i really laughed.
I am sure the Catfood Commission is just doing what they think is in the best interest of everybody. ;>
I think there should be required disclosure re the financial assets of each of the members of the Catfood Commission – i.e., how many of THEM are going to be trying to exist on social security + Medicare? [And catfood.]
Fighting a losing war and killing innocents on all sides is a far higher priority to Obama than keeping promises and helping people who paid in for these old age benefits their whole lives.
He is crap and the sooner he is gone the better.
I’m surprised that the poll results aren’t MORE in favor of cutting spending via ending the wars in Iraq + Afghanistan.
Unbelievable how stupid people are.
I think what you’re seeing there with the 55/41 split is the true Liberal/Conservative divide in our country. Whether or not all come out to vote is another story.
Yeah and 70% of the American people across the board wanted a public option. How’d that work out for us?
Kissinger called us “useless eaters”. Powerful guy, that Kissinger.
Barry: “I think Social Security is definitely the way to go, but it’s just a sliver.”
Kissinger and Phil “Americans are whiners” Gramm, what a pair.
I saw a grocery ad: 20 cans of cat food cost only $9. Can you imagine a demonstration in front of the White House, or in front of your local congressman’s office, of older people sitting down to table and eating catfood?
Catfood and water: It’s what’s for dinner.
What did all those people mail to DC a couple of years ago? Maybe we should start mailing
Nine LivesFriskiesno wait…… Chinese Special Melamine Dinner to the White House.But wait here’s the GOOD NEWS!
Did Democratic Leadership Try To Buy A House Seat with a $25 Billion Nuclear Bailout?
Here’s the way out of our energy crisis! Isn’t that worth eating a little catfood??????
PS: still trying to figure out where I’m going to get the water to grow my own food & defend it from roving gangs of the starving and desperate white men
Did this poll include Nancy Pelosi’s private jet?
As vaguely defined as it was, the PO polled at 80%.
SocSec/Medicaire/Medicaid are not vague at all to most Americans; they know exactly what those programs are and how valuable they are.
It’s still the “third rail” whether the Beltway wants to admit it or not, and if they fuck with it, they’ll see.
1) The reason BP can holler “Back off or the grannies get it!” is because the UK (drum roll, please) privatized their pension funds! In contrast, SocSec doesn’t give a rip about BP/Amoco/Whatever.
2) People should remember that if the economy’s growing enough to sustain the much-touted 5% to 7% rates of return on privatized pension funds, that’s a) a rate of economic growth that, last time we saw it back in 1998, had Alan Greenspan applying the brakes with both feet and freaking out about “irrational exuberance” and b) more than enough to generate the revenues needed to keep Social Security solvent forever without need of “fixing” from Pete Peterson.
This is a clear indication that the people of the US have their priorities in order and that democrats are mostly in sysnc with those priorities. I and others will accept no excuses. As pointed out on Rachel Maddow last night, the expiration of the Bush tax cuts should not be interfered with, estate taxes should be restored to the orginal level (dynasties have no place in a democracy) and some other tax cuts the repugs were proposing. The dems need to get out front on this. I had lunch with 5 sensiors today, and was ready to explode by the time I left the table. Bit my tongue. They think Obama has demonstrated that he lacks experience to be president. The good thing is: even though they like her, they would not vote for Sarah Palin or Newt Gingrich for president. So, I saved friendships but got a case of indigestion.
Jon Walker is upstairs!
Damn the Deficits, the Children of the Wealthy Need More Tax Breaks
they learned fromm the hcr rip off that they can do anything they want and 99.9% wont lift a finger to stop them, or really even complain that much
Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick has a lame blog posting over at The Hill, screaming that the world will end if we don’t listen to the catfood commission.
I left a comment, but have to wait until they “review” it to see if they post it.
Here is the link.
That is exactly the reason they set up the commission. To have a “fair and objective” panel force them to make Grandma eat catfood because it is the only way to save the universe. That is why he put such progressive radicals like Mad Max Baccus and skinflint Conrad on the commission. These two are willing to take the blame for legislation that Obama wants, like the weak ass health care bill.
Everyone should contact their congressmen and senators and let them know that you will actively campaign against them if they cut SSN or Medicare regardless of what the catfood boys come up with. The administration is being cowardly to use the commission to cut these programs which is Obama’s intent. Threaten primary fights for all that vote for the cuts or does a pretend vote.
The poll was biased. It didn’t include cutting interest costs on the national debt as one of its choices. It is possible to cut those to zero very easily. I wonder how many people would be in favor of doing that once they know that doing so would save $12 Trillion over the next 15 years in payments to the wealthy and foreign nations like China.
but so what? the Democratic Party knows that its left flank is covered and cannot defect, because they are after all, the Least Worst!
they can cut Social Security to the bone, mandate the tithing to the insurance cartel, and the doctrinaire true believers will still pledge their support because, look over there, Sarah Palin!