In today’s latest political hypocrisy gaffe, the majority of Americans voted Republicans into House of Representatives and kicked out spendthrift Democrats because deficit reduction was, and still is, a stellar idea.

Of course, being a deficit hawk is a great rallying cry, but when it comes down to slashing programs and actually doing some good, Americans predictably get “uncomfortable” when Congress attempts to make spending cuts that Americans like / provide income / depending on in later life / keeps them safe / keeps the roads paved / keeps their tap water flowing / well… you know the drill.

“Everybody wants to cut the deficit and cut the spending. But at the end of the day, everybody wants a choice that doesn’t affect their well-being,” said Democratic pollster Peter Hart, who co-directs the survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff. — Peter Wallsten

Reminds me of the infamous quote:

Lord, make me chaste and celibate, but not yet. — Saint Augustine

This is pretty standard stuff. Americans love their earmarks, their entitlements, and their tax breaks, and no one wants to sacrifice individually, but it’s fine if “other people” take a hit or tighten “their” belt. The risk for politicians, and by risk I mean being voted out of office, is if they stand up and push spending cuts that are unpopular in their district, they’ll likely be replaced by someone who will continue bringing in DC tax money for their constituents.

So not surprisingly, it would appear that contemporary American politics is more about what can you, the Congressperson, do to maintain the status quo and keep government programs in place, rather than how can you help correct America’s faulty course.

From a social psychology standpoint, it will be sublimely interesting for me to observe how the politicians, and their team of social psychologists, pollsters, etc., frame their proposals to revert back to true fiscal conservatives for the good of the country, or if the newly elected Republicans and Tea Party candidates will forgo their momentum from their recent victory, or pursue a gridlock agenda and watch the National Debt Clock tick higher.

Image Source & Credit
Wall Street Journal
Peter Wallsten
Deficit Proposal Draws Mixed Review