HOW THE PUBLIC WOULD CUT THE BUDGET:

Americans are reportedly childish about the debt crisis. The public says the budget deficit is a serious issue. So serious that Americans will let other people sacrifice. Rich people. We know the enemy of U.S. debt, and it’s us. You, dear reader, are framed as a hypocrite. But is that true?

Last week’s Washington Post carried a familiar headline: “Poll Shows Americans oppose entitlement cuts to deal with debt problem.” Bloomberg News led a December article: “Americans want Congress to bring down a federal budget deficit that many believe is ‘dangerously out of control,’ only under two conditions: minimize the pain and make the rich pay.” Politico recently reached for Shakespeare with its conclusion: “the fault lies not in our stars but in ourselves.”

But the fault may actually lie in misreading the stars (data) and how our political stars (lawmakers and pundits) misread us. Americans appear willing to make hard choices, according to a largely unnoticed but landmark study. Given the chance, the public cuts much of the deficit and saves Social Security.

Given the record of the politicians — and the press — neither group is in any position to cast aspersions.