How concerned are you about the federal budget deficit?

I am concerned, of course. It is a terrible situation that the country's gotten itself into. My family didn't buy things on credit the way people do today. Most people in my generation had a mortgage, maybe, but that was about it. And we worked hard to pay that off. And when we finally did, we had a mortgage-burning party to celebrate that we were no longer in hock to someone else. It was considered rather shameful to buy things on credit, shady almost. But times sure have changed, haven't they?
– Charlie, 83, Ashland, Maine

What bothers me is that the only solution anyone ever talks about is cutting Social Security and Medicare.
It's the government that's to blame for the deficit, not seniors. Many seniors would be out on the streets if it wasn't for those programs. My husband has congestive heart failure and needs lots of medicines to keep him alive. If we didn't have Medicare, we would have to pay for it all ourselves. It's just not fair to talk about hurting seniors, when most of us have tried all our lives to avoid getting into debt.
– Gemma, 72, Dayton, Ohio

I don't know. It sure doesn't sound good for the country to be in that much debt. But, from a practical standpoint, I can't say it weighs on my mind much. I have a disability and use a walker to get around. Most of the things that healthier folks take for granted are a real struggle for me, so I guess I have other things on my mind than the national deficit. I sure hope the guys in Washington can get it sorted out, but, honestly, I'll probably be long gone before they do.
– Aaron, 80, Tucson, Ariz.