America in Denial as Fiscal Tsunami Approaches | Cato Institute

America in Denial as Fiscal Tsunami Approaches | Cato Institute: "Only cuts to foreign aid and unemployment assistance show majority support from GOP voters."

"in current dollars, a newly retired married couple with typical earnings will have paid roughly $88,000 in payroll taxes for Medicare (including the employer contribution); they can expect to receive program benefits more than four times that much."

"This complicates the “makers vs. takers” narrative that Mitt Romney, Rep. Paul Ryan and their supporters have indulged in to explain their loss. This class of net “takers” — older voters — tends to vote Republican."