For all the recent frenzy over reducing the deficit, a new poll by CBS News shows that only 4% of Americans consider it the biggest problem faced by the country.
Respondents were asked: “Of all the problems facing this country today, which one do you most want the new Congress to concentrate on first when it begins in January?”
56% of respondents said Congress should focus on the economy and jobs 14% said health care, while only 4% said the budget deficit and national debt. Immigration, education, wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, and taxes each got 2%, while 9% said other.
The results didn’t vary much when split among parties. 59% of Republicans, 57% of Democrats, and 52% of Independents said the economy and jobs should be the top priority. 6% of Republicans, 4% of Democrats, and 4% of Independents were similarly concerned about the deficit and the national debt.
