Voters Blame Politicians’ Overspending for Budget Woes

Reason highlights a new Rasmussen Poll on state budget crises.

A whopping 75% of voters blame current budget crises on politicians’ unwillingness to cut spending. Only 13% think taxpayers’ unwillingness to pay more in taxes is to blame, and 12% were undecided.

Recent polls on the federal budget crisis reveal the same sentiment. Last May, 77% said politicians’ spendthrift attitude is the biggest problem in America today. The new poll also found most likely voters oppose a federal bailout of troubled states and prefer lower taxes, even if that means fewer government services.

Interestingly, one in three government employees claim taxpayers are more to blame than politicians, while the majority of participants believe government employees are overpaid compared to private sector counterparts.