The Nation : Public Backs Defense Cuts

The latest Gallup Poll reveals that a majority of Americans do not agree with President Reagan’s priorities for reducing the federal deficit in his proposed 1987 budget, which would cut domestic programs while increasing defense spending. The public’s top priority for reducing the deficit is cutting defense spending, cited by 59% in the poll. Next are cuts in government spending for social programs (42% approve), raising income taxes (22%) and reducing “entitlement” benefits, such as Social Security, Medicare and the like (9%).