Fix The Debt is still trying to manipulate public opinion:

Voters are wary of overhauling entitlement programs, but could be convinced of backing the idea if Congress pursues a broad plan to rein in the deficit, according to a new poll.

Gradual changes to Social Security and Medicare, combined with a plan to cut spending and boost revenue, garnered a majority of support according to a new poll commissioned by the anti-deficit group Fix the Debt.

Dear sweet Jesus, save us from these amoral, lying bastards.

That group has pushed Congress to enact a “grand bargain” to address the debt and deficit, and was founded by Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, who both led President Obama’s 2010 fiscal reform commission.

The poll of 800 likely voters found that there was strong initial resistance to the idea of changing entitlement programs on their own, but that voters could come around the idea if the changes were made in a certain context.

Yes, a certain misleading context!

When asked if they would support changes to Social Security and Medicare as part of a national debt reduction plan, voters opposed the idea 57 percent to 34. But when told those changes would be gradual and would not affect anyone currently over 60, support nearly flipped to 55 percent versus just 35 percent opposition. And when told those changes would be accompanied by cuts to wasteful government spending and increased revenue caused by closing tax loopholes enjoyed by the wealthy, support climbed further to 61 percent versus 27 percent opposition.

The poll suggests that policymakers could find a way to enact changes to closely-guarded programs that have long been seen as the “third rail” of American politics, but only if paired with other policy changes to get the nation’s debt trajectory on a more sustainable path.

On a number of specific policy questions, such as gradually raising the eligibility age for Medicare and taxing incomes over $115,000 a year for Social Security, the group also found they garnered a majority of support. The only specific policy proposal to be more opposed than supported by those polled was reducing military spending.

This is frustrating, but not surprising. When I attended that Pete Peterson-funded (and White House-backed) “AmericaSpeaks Town Hall” on Social Security, people were initially supportive of the Fix The Debt propaganda until someone pointed out the drawbacks. Then their opposition hardened to any cuts, and they’d suggest cutting the Pentagon budget instead.

Let me remind you again: Only rich white men are living longer. People who work paycheck jobs? Their life expectancy is dropping. They will never stop trying to pull off this con, because it offends multi-billionaire investment banker Pete Peterson that the nation funds a “permanent vacation” for retirees.

Fuck him, and fuck all his evil minions.