Does America Love or Lust Big Government?

As cringeworthy as it is to admit, Ezra Klein’s opinion that Americans really do love the benefits of federal spending, is very valid. Klein sites a recent report by the Pew Research Center, a report worth reading. The report which highlights a new national survey, found very limited public support in the area of reducing federal spending for a number of specific programs, which include entitlements, health care, defense and education: 

For 18 of 19 programs tested, majorities want either to increase spending or maintain it at current levels. The only exception is assistance for needy people around the world…Yet the survey also finds higher percentages support increases rather than decreases in spending for education, veterans’ benefits, entitlements and other programs. Six-in-ten (60%) say they would increase education funding, while 53% want funding for veterans’ benefits and services to grow and 41% say the same about spending on Social Security.

So the question begs, how can we ever tackle our country’s massive debt, drastically reduce federal spending and set a course for financial solvency, when public opinion is steadily bending in the opposite direction? Is our country’s affection for federal programs a product of generational-conditioning and a sort of convenience that can be cutoff over time? Or is it already too late?