A recent AARP poll of Americans found(opens in new tab) 84% of voters over 50 years old – across party lines – oppose cutting Social Security in order to reduce the deficit. Just 16% were in favor or didn’t know. To put that in perspective: another poll(opens in new tab) from this April found 21% of Americans think a UFO crashed in Roswell, NM in 1947 and the US government covered it up.
You read that right. More Americans think aliens crashed in Roswell than think we should cut Social Security to reduce the deficit.
When asked about specific proposals, 2 in 3 said they opposed switching to the Chained CPI(opens in new tab) for seniors benefits, and 3 in 4 opposed switching to the Chained CPI for veterans benefits.
Seniors and retirees didn’t cause the deficit, and Social Security benefits shouldn’t be garnished to pay for Wall Street’s recession. But instead of asking the Wall Street guys making $1 million per hour(opens in new tab) to cover the cost of their malfeasance, President Obama and conservative members of Congress are instead looking to cut(opens in new tab) Social Security benefits via the Chained CPI.
Elected representatives take note: the poll asked respondents how they would react if their elected representatives voted in favor of the Chained CPI. 66% said they would be less favorable feelings toward their representative for voting that way. It seems not even a UFO crash will help incumbents if they vote for the Chained CPI.