We’re never gonna balance the budget

A new poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press makes clear what politicians already know: Americans, including Republicans, don’t favor reductions in benefits for recipients of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Respondents were asked which is more important, “Taking steps to reduce the budget deficit” or “Keeping Social Security and Medicare benefits as they are.” Sixty percent favor the status quo, compared to 32 percent who favor reducing the deficit.

The problem with not touching Medicare and Social Security is, that’s where the money is. The government can cut everything else but entitlement spending and still not be fiscally viable in the long-term. Americans don’t want to raise taxes, either, so something has to give.

Unfortunately, it’s going to be our children and grandchildren doing the giving.

Here’s the poll results.