(Week of 5/5/2012) While the deficit trails the economy when it comes to perceptions of the country’s most important issue, it does concern Americans. 63% in the latest Economist/YouGov Poll want the federal government to act now to reduce the deficit. And they support a number of ways to do it, though raising taxes on themselves is definitely not one of them.
Republicans list the deficit as their second most important issue. But a majority of them oppose cutting military expenditures and raising taxes on everyone to meet this goal (57% and 80%, respectively), while nearly half also oppose raising taxes on the very rich. 92% of Republicans would cut spending on non-military government programs.
The President does not fare well on this issue. Only 31% approve of the way he is handling the deficit.
Economist/YouGov poll archives can be found here
Photo source: Press Association
