WASHINGTON, DC — On Tuesday, December 12th the Concord Coalition will
host the unveiling of two new public opinion research studies by Public Agenda
and Viewpoint Learning’s on the
public’s attitudes towards our nation’s long
term fiscal challenges. Public Agenda’s report,
WASHINGTON, DC — On Tuesday, December 12th the Concord Coalition will
host the unveiling of two new public opinion research studies by Public Agenda
and Viewpoint Learning’s on the
public’s attitudes towards our nation’s long
term fiscal challenges. Public Agenda’s report,
“Facing Up to the Nation’s
Finances: Understanding Public Attitudes about the Federal Budget,” and
Viewpoint Learning’s report,
“Americans Deliberate Our Nation’s Finances and
Future: It’s not about taxes – It’s about trust,” conclude that the public has
little difficulty understanding the magnitude of the fiscal challenge facing the
nation and is willing to consider tough tradeoffs to address the growing
national debt. But their support for program cuts, reforms or tax increases
comes with one key condition: finding ways to increase trust that their leaders
will spend their money responsibly and for the purposes intended.
“A broad consensus exists that our country’s long-term fiscal policy is
unsustainable. Changing course will require substantial spending reductions from
projected levels, equivalent increases in revenues, or a combination of both.
Each of the realistic options comes with economic and political consequences
that must be acknowledged and carefully weighted. There must be tradeoffs.
Because these options are politically difficult, the active involvement of the
American people is critical. Without greater understanding of the problem among
the public, community leaders, business leaders and home state media, elected
leaders are unlikely to break out of their comfortable partisan talking points
— and unlikely to find solutions. These reports provide valuable insights into
how policymakers and the public can work through these difficult decisions
together, instead of talking past each other,” said Concord Coalition Executive
Director Robert Bixby.
The event will be held from 9:30am to 11am in the Murrow Room at the National
Press Club located at 529 14th Street NW, Washington, DC. Speakers will include:
- Robert Bixby, Executive Director, Concord Coalition
- Steven Rosell, President and Co-Founder, Viewpoint Learning
- Alice Rivlin, Senior Fellow and Director, Greater Washington Research
Program, Brookings Institution - Stuart Butler, Vice President of Economic and Policy Studies, Heritage
Foundation - Ruth Wooden, President, Public Agenda
This event is free and open to the press. A continental
breakfast will be provided.
The Concord Coalition is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization
dedicated to sound, sustainable, and generationally responsible fiscal policy.
Former United States Senators Warren Rudman (R-NH) and Bob Kerrey (D-NE) serve
as Concord’s Co-Chairs. Former Commerce Secretary Peter G. Peterson serves as
President.
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CONTACT:
Tristan Cohen
(703) 894-6222
[email protected]
