Is Social Security Reform Ready for the American Public?
Author InfoBenjamin I. Page Abstract Public opinion is relevant to entitlement reform because it bears upon issues of political feasibility. Proposals that go against the strongly held views of ordinary citizens are not likely to be politically feasible. In addition, we may consider public opinion especially well-informed, deliberative opinion relevant to what policy makers ought to do in a democracy. The available data indicate that the American public, as a collectivity, knows quite a bit about Social Security and rather firmly holds a number of opinions that have been highly stable over many years. This is particularly true of general support for the program. Since 1984, for example, more than 90% of Americans have regularly indicated a desire to keep the program the same or expand it. At the same time, most Americans are aware of impending financial shortfalls in the program and acknowledge that major changes must be made. Proposals of benefit cuts have generally aroused consid
