In a recent article, Pew Research Center for the People & the Press finds that Americans see the price of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as the primary contributor to the United States’ debt. A majority (60%) says that the cost of the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan has contributed “a great deal” to the size of the nation’s debt. The second-most cited cause of the nation’s debt was the condition of the national economy; 42% say that that this contributed “a great deal” to the size of the nation’s debt. Only 24% say that increased domestic spending has contributed greatly to the nation’s debt, and even fewer (19%) cite the tax cuts made over the past ten years.

In a May 25-30 survey of 1,509 adults, the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press presented respondents with a series of possible proposals for reducing the nation’s debt. With 73% disapproving, a proposal to reduce state funding for education and roads was met with the most opposition. Almost three-quarters supported a proposal to reduce U.S. assistance to foreign countries. Two-thirds (67%) support a proposal to make a larger portion of high earners’ income taxable under Social Security tax. Nearly as many (66%) approve of a proposal to raise taxes for those with an annual income over $250,000. Proposals to reduce overseas military commitments and limit corporate tax deductions also received substantial support, with 65% and 62% approving of each, respectively.