Americans insist on Government benefits, but won't pay for them

[removeduser_487563287433]

Interesting question posed by The Economist.



However, when The Economist asked "What is the best way to cut the deficit?"

5% said, "increase taxes."

62% said, "reduce government spending."

I suppose it's really the most obvious thing in the world that the people who don't actually have to make the decisions would come to this result. However, maybe it will go some way to puncture the socialist thing we see bandied around the forums so much about American cultural mythology.

[Thorn777]

I think its the same all over Europe as well. At least in Germany its political suicide for one of the big parties to suggest raising taxes or cut around like that, that includes social-dems.

The voting people are spoiled.

[Gelgoog]

Interesting question posed by The Economist.



However, when The Economist asked "What is the best way to cut the deficit?"

5% said, "increase taxes."

62% said, "reduce government spending."

I suppose it's really the most obvious thing in the world that the people who don't actually have to make the decisions would come to this result. However, maybe it will go some way to puncture the socialist thing we see bandied around the forums so much about American cultural mythology.

If you have ever worked for the government you would realize how badly the govt mismanages our taxes.

[MadBurgerMaker]

If you have ever worked for the government you would realize how badly the govt mismanages our taxes.

Mismanagement? No way, man. It's the government!

[removeduser_487563287433]

If you have ever worked for the government

I've worked at Parliament.

[The spartan]

If you have ever worked for the government you would realize how badly the govt mismanages our taxes.

If you think that government just happens to mismanage taxes on their own, you are sadly mistaken. They have plenty of help from private sector lobbyists.

[Jaketh]

i sure as hell don't ask for government benefits and sure as am not paying for them

[Gaidin]

i sure as hell don't ask for government benefits and sure as am not paying for them

Please tell me you are at least not hypocritical enough to drive after saying this.

[Bleda]

Please tell me you are at least not hypocritical enough to drive after saying this.

entitlement benefits and infrastructure are not the same thing

[Gaidin]

entitlement benefits and infrastructure are not the same thing

That's what they all say until they realize they're paying for the roads even if they have no car.

[Bleda]

That's what they all say until they realize they're paying for the roads even if they have no car.

Oh god, here we go... If the person who has no car (which is RARE in the US) has a job, those roads ensure that their employer has the means to bring goods into the market, or whatever the case may be. If this person with no car, eats food, then roads ensure that it gets to their grocery store. People directly benefit from roads and transportation. Government has always been the best model for infrastructure. Even the Amish use roads. The person who rides a bicycle or rides the bus uses roads. People who leave their house, use roads.

Infrastrucure and and entitlement benefits ARE NOT the same thing. =/= get it?

[Ishoss]

The world is a scary place.

[Kjertesvein]

The world is a scary place.

Yeah, I remember in the midst of the down-turn, when they raised taxes Every other was lowering theirs, but NOOO we have to raise.

[Strelok]

The percentage of people who voted "aid for the poor" made me tear up a bit.

The percentage of people who voted "foreign aid" made me laugh because I so expected it.

[Hattushilish]

I suppose it's really the most obvious thing in the world that the people who don't actually have to make the decisions would come to this result. However, maybe it will go some way to puncture the socialist thing we see bandied around the forums so much about American cultural mythology.

Well as long as those Chinese bankers keep letting us borrow enough money to finance our deficit, we can have our cake and eat it too.

[Desperado †]

People are greedy and wishful thinkers. Big deal. We just pay somebody else to notice and cut the bullet out, rather than do it ourselves. That's representative democracy.

[Bleda]

People are greedy and wishful thinkers. Big deal. We just pay somebody else to notice and cut the bullet out, rather than do it ourselves. That's representative democracy.

You're right, which I think is why socialism is so prevalent in today's world. The classic story of decline...

[JP226]

Interesting question posed by The Economist.



However, when The Economist asked "What is the best way to cut the deficit?"

5% said, "increase taxes."

62% said, "reduce government spending."

I suppose it's really the most obvious thing in the world that the people who don't actually have to make the decisions would come to this result. However, maybe it will go some way to puncture the socialist thing we see bandied around the forums so much about American cultural mythology.

I'm absolutely and utterly shocked. You read the Economist?

[lordoftheT]

This isn't really surprising. People have always seemed to have a bizarre idea that the government can poof stuff into existence without any additional funding.

[Exarch]

how much are americans taxed?
if they aint as taxed as high as we in oz or at least 50% of their pay, then they can just bite the bullet