Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon Media Survey Results

Oregonians are very worried about the national debt -- according to a new poll released Tuesday night by OPB and Fox 12.

But they also don't want to cut programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

The poll asked many questions, including: what residents think about state and national leaders, where we’re headed on climate change and whether to raise taxes on the wealthy.

Most Oregonians say that Medicare, a program under scrutiny in Congress, should remain as it is today. The poll shows that even Republicans are split on whether to change it.

But Oregonians say they're also concerned about how much money the government is spending. And that tension -- between spending and cutting government programs -- comes up repeatedly in this poll, says Rebecca Ball of pollsters Davis, Hibbits and Midghall.

Heidi Nielsen / ---------

Rebecca Ball: "It sounds really good to just cut spending. But when we start talking about where we're cutting spending, that's where differences in opinion lie. We know that we have to cut the federal budget, but when we start talking about where, it's how does it affect us day-today. Because ultimately, that's how residents look at government, through the lens of their daily lives."

Take what people think about raising the debt limit.

The survey found 51 percent think raising the debt limit would lead to higher government spending and make the national debt bigger.

That compared to 39 percent who say they're concerned that not raising the limit would force the government into default and hurt the nation's economy.

Jerry Zacharias is an 86-year-old widow from Pendleton. She says the debt limit issue worries her, but she's not sure what should be done.

Jerry Zacharias: "I can understand why they've got a problem. The money doesn't grow on trees. And I don't know, they've got to pay it. I mean we don't want to go broke."

Her confusion mirrors that of many Oregonians on this issue, says Rebecca Ball of pollsters Davis, Hibbits and Midghall.

She says 36 percent felt they didn't have enough information to even tell their member of Congress how to vote .

Rebecca Ball: "People look at the national debt as a number, not necessarily knowing how it's going to impact Wall Street. They care about how it's going to impact them and their future. And they look at that number being big and on the rise. And again programs being cut that maybe a benefit to them. So it's a scary issue for them and we see this in this poll. We see it with the high concern numbers."

Part of that concern stems from the fact that people know something has to be cut.

The OPB Fox 12 poll asked people what they would support cutting, and what they’d oppose.

68 percent opposed cutting Medicaid, the government insurance program for the poor.

And 71 percent opposed cutting Medicare, the government health insurance program for people older than 65.

Much more popular was cutting military spending. 55 percent supported that idea, including 20-year-old Jesse Lawson, a waiter, actor and singer from Eagle Point.

Jesse Lawson: "I'm not too familiar with exactly how much goes into the military and why they need it. But as far as I'm concerned I'd say they could put a little less in the military. But I definitely don't want to cut anything for Medicare. I think America is already kind of being crippled, not really being crippled, they're limping along with the Medicare they have already and so lowering that wouldn't help at all. I don't think."

The most popular way to cut -- with 71 percent support -- was an across-the-board slice of all government functions. And 69 percent of those responding also liked the idea of taxing people who earn more than $250,000 a year.

Respondents also opposed changes to some programs. 

For example, respondents were asked whether Medicare should remain as it is today, with a defined set of benefits for people over 65 -- provided directly by the federal government.

59 percent agreed with that statement.

Only 33 percent thought Medicare should be changed so that people would receive a check from the government, that they could use to shop for their own private health insurance.

Ball says even state Republicans were divided about changes to Medicare.

Rebecca Ball: "So about four in 10 say Medicare should remain how it is today. Another four in 10 say it should be changed so people can receive a check, and they can shop for their own health insurance."

500 Oregonians from across the state were contacted by telephone over the weekend for the poll. Oregonians were also asked to rate local and national leaders.

They gave President Obama relatively high marks, with 52 percent of people saying he's doing a good job. That compares to 37 percent for Congress.

Locally, Oregoians gave both Governor John Kitzhaber and the state legislature  45 percent approval ratings.

Ball called that "luke warm."

Rebecca Ball: "People are concerned about the state. They're concerned about the budget deficit. And they're not seeing the Oregon legislature or the governor making significant progress."

Finally, Oregonians were polled on climate change. 67 believe it requires us to alter our way of life -- by driving less and consuming fewer goods.

Southern Oregon waiter and actor, Jesse Lawson, encapsulates the thoughts of many.

Jesse Lawson: "We definitely need to be more green and try to be world conscious. And I think we're getting steps forward. But we can't just keep what we're doing with the carbon monoxide and all the crappy stuff we're putting in the air."

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percent.

<i>Click graphic to enlarge</i>.

More news from our poll:

• Oregonians Worry About Debt, But Don't Favor Raising Ceiling
• Global Warming Will Require Changes, Oregonians Say
• Oregonians Lukewarm Over Gov., Legislature
• Poll: Oregonians Don't Embrace Proposed Medicare Changes
• Poll: Oregonians Concerned About Gangs