Public Now Divided on Debt Limit Debate
While a plurality of Americans still believe raising the debt limit is a greater concern than the prospect of a government default, the percentage of those worried more about a default has grown since May.
U.S. Seen as Among the Greatest Nations, But Not Superior to All Others
Despite the struggling economy and broad dissatisfaction with national conditions, the public has a positive view of the United States’ global standing. But more think that the U.S. is one of the greatest countries in the world than say it stands above all other countries.
More Say GOP Would Be Mainly Responsible If No Increase In Debt Limit
Partisans express strong opinions about which side would be most responsible if no agreement is reached before the debt limit is hit.
More Blame Wars than Domestic Spending or Tax Cuts for Nation’s Debt
Public concern about the budget deficit has increased since the end of last year. Proposals to reduce it by raising taxes on the rich and corporations are popular.
Opposition to Ryan Medicare Plan from Older, Attentive Americans
There is broad, and strong, opposition to the proposal among older Americans and those who are paying a lot of attention to the issue.
More Concern about Raising Debt Limit than Government Default
By a 48%-to-35% margin, Americans say their greater concern is that raising the debt limit would lead to higher government spending and a larger national debt than that not raising the limit would force the government into default and hurt the nation’s economy.
Beyond Red vs. Blue: The Political Typology
Political attitudes have become more doctrinaire at both ends of the ideological spectrum. Yet at the same time, the growing center of the political spectrum is increasingly diverse. As an in-depth guide to the political landscape, the 2011 Political Typology sorts Americans into cohesive groups based on their values, political beliefs and party affiliation.
Deficit: More Concern, Less Optimism
The public increasingly views the federal budget deficit as a major problem the country must address now, but is becoming less optimistic progress will be made on the issue.
The Deficit Debate: Where the Public Stands
In a number of surveys over the past several months, the Pew Research Center has shown where the public stands on the budget deficit — the seriousness of the problem, views of competing policy proposals, and its confidence in the policymakers.
Budget Negotiations in a Word
The public has an overwhelmingly negative reaction to the budget negotiations that narrowly avoided a government shutdown. A weekend survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and the Washington Post finds that “ridiculous” is the word used most frequently to describe the budget negotiations.
