The Center for American Progress put on a conference today on debt. Terrific people, terrific presentations. Over the next couple of days, I’ll write about a couple of them. But I want to start with the most amazing part: a new survey that should turn the head of every politician in America.
The survey has a lot of gold nuggets to talk about, but I’ll cut to the chase: The data show that Americans see debt as a middle class problem as their problem. By a wide margin, they are personally more worried about debt than they are about a terrorist attack. That’s right: Debt, not terrorism, is keeping people awake at night.
First, the debt problem in this country is recognized across almost every boundary in American politics Republican, Democrat, Independent, men, women, blacks, whites, low income, middle income, high income, low education, high education. There were small differences, but a staggering 82% of Americans say the debt problem is somewhat serious or very serious and 85% say it has gotten worse in the past five years.
People don’t want a free ride. They are quick to place blame on irresponsible spenders and to recognize the role of personal responsibility. But they also understand that even those who are doing their best are facing a game in which the rules are stacked against them.
Different debts worry different people. Older women and folks who didn’t go to college are most worried about medical debt, and younger people are deeply worried about student loans. Seniors are worrying most about credit cards. But the key is that nearly everyone is worried, and they think things are getting worse.
So there it is. If any politician in America thinks no one cares about these middle class economic issues, read the numbers. When the right leader steps up to talk about this problem in a way that shows some real understanding, people are ready to listen.
