Further
exacerbating ideological differences and staunch opposition to compromise is the
lack of public understanding of, and outcry against, the problems associated
with the growing federal deficit. As reflected in the views of politicians,
Americans seem to be concerned with short-term gain rather than future
implications. The benefits from tax cuts and entitlements are tangible to the
American public, while deficit issues are more distant. In addition, many
Americans lack a legitimate knowledge of economics, and therefore may not feel
threatened by future negative effects of the deficit. As the NYTimes poll
demonstrates, the direct relationship Americans perceive with their taxes and
entitlements coupled with their lack of economic understanding has resulted in
their concerns lying with the immediate benefits they receive from federal
spending, not the economic effects of this spending.
cerbating ideological differences and staunch opposition to compromise is the
lack of public understanding of, and outcry against, the problems associated
with the growing federal deficit. As reflected in the views of politicians,
Americans seem to be concerned with short-term gain rather than future
implications. The benefits from tax cuts and entitlements are tangible to the
American public, while deficit issues are more distant. In addition, many
Americans lack a legitimate knowledge of economics, and therefore may not feel
threatened by future negative effects of the deficit. As the NYTimes poll
demonstrates, the direct relationship Americans perceive with their taxes and
entitlements coupled with their lack of economic understanding has resulted in
their concerns lying with the immediate benefits they receive from federal
spending, not the economic effects of this spending.