It's the Economy, Not Entitlements, Stupid

A nationwide survey by Suffolk University asked the big question, "What do you think is the most important problem facing the country today?" The answer should not surprise you.

37%	Economy in general
22%	Political gridlock in Washington
13%	Unemployment
9%	Federal budget
6%	Healthcare
4%	Lack of money
2%	National security
7%	Don't know

The do-nothing buggers in Washington are sandwiched between the economy in general and unemployment in particular. That's not all that's on our minds:

Yes	No	Undecided	Survey Question
14%	83%	4%	Is the recession over in the United States?
36%	54%	10%	Do you feel the country is headed in the right direction (yes) or is on the wrong track (no)?
65%	28%	7%	Do you think that reducing the national debt will directly contribute to improving the economy?
30%	64%	5%	Do you agree (yes) or disagree (no) that making changes or cuts to entitlement programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are necessary to reduce the national debt?
78%	19%	4%	Should the United States explore options to increase its domestic oil production, even if that includes more offshore drilling?
60%	30%	10%	Should the federal government eliminate tax breaks and subsidies for oil companies?
68%	27%	6%	Can federal money spent helping to develop alternative energy technology significantly contribute to creating jobs and fixing the economy?

We all agree that the recession is not over and most think the country is on the wrong track. The national debt is a big concern but cutting entitlements is not the way to fix it. Drill, baby, drill, but stick it to the oil companies and keep the ethanol flowing and plug-in hybrids humming.

What about Obamacare, the signature healthcare program that may or may not be Constitutional? Ho hum sighs America:

Repealed	Modified	Left Alone	Undecided
34%	32%	23%	11%	Do you think that the near-universal health care bill passed in Washington in 2009 should be repealed, modified or left alone?
Better off	Worse off	No diff	Undecided
20%	33%	40%	7%	Do you think you are better or worse off as a result of the national healthcare reform law, enacted in March 2010?

Washington doesn't get it. Whether it's Obamacare for working people or Ryancare for seniors, all they want to talk about is healthcare, healthcare, healthcare. It's always been the economy, stupid. Now get started paying down that debt.