Those who think the public's wishes are being grossly defied will find
support in this general question (1996):
758. Here are some things the government might do for the economy.
Circle one number for each action to
show whether you are in favor of it or against it.
C. Cuts in government spending.
Strongly in favor of 1258
In favor of 1290*
Neither in favor nor against 393
Against 146
Strongly against 54
[Medians indicated with *]
BUT - what if you ask about the three biggest areas of the budget -
defense, pensions, and health?
759. Listed below are various areas of government spending. Please
indicate whether you would like to see
more or less government spending in each area. Remember that if you say
"much more", it might require a
tax increase to pay for it.
E. The military and defense. (1996)
Spend much more 61
Spend more 211
Spend the same as now 585*
Spend less 315
Spend much less 106
F. Retirement benefits. (1996)
Spend much more 166
Spend more 474*
Spend the same as now 496
Spend less 99
Spend much less 26
B. Health. (1996)
Spend much more 229
Spend more 634*
Spend the same as now 329
Spend less 65
Spend much less 20
In other words, all of the main items in the budget are popular and
indeed if anything the public wants them to be larger. (Presumably views
about defense spending have become much more pro-military lately).
Support for "spending cuts" is largely predicated on delusional views of
what the budget looks like to begin with - such as the popular views
that foreign aid and welfare are the two biggest categories.
--
Prof. Bryan Caplan
Department of Economics George Mason University
http://www.bcaplan.com [EMAIL PROTECTED]
"He wrote a letter, but did not post it because he felt that no one
would have understood what he wanted to say, and besides it was not
necessary that anyone but himself should understand it."
Leo Tolstoy, *The Cossacks*
