--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The American people say, 'Don't touch…" description: "\"The American people say, 'Don't touch Social Security, don't touch Medicare, don't cut defense.' That's 84 percent of the federal budget.\" — Kent Conrad" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/kent-conrad-24522_american_the-american-people-say-don-t-touch-soci_470726.jpg" --- # The American people say, 'Don't touch Social Security… ![“The American people say, 'Don't touch Social Security, don't touch Medicare, don't cut defense.' That's 84 percent of the federal budget.” quote by Kent Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/kent-conrad-24522_american_the-american-people-say-don-t-touch-soci_470726.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/kent-conrad-24522_american_the-american-people-say-don-t-touch-soci_470726.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/kent-conrad-24522_american_the-american-people-say-don-t-touch-soci_470726.jpg) > “The American people say, 'Don't touch Social Security, don't touch Medicare, don't cut defense.' That's 84 percent of the federal budget.” [Kent Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kent-conrad/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Many Americans prioritize protecting entitlement programs and defense spending, which together dominate the federal budget. **In simple terms:** People value Social Security, Medicare, and defense more than other spending. Key Takeaway Protect core programs and defense. Themes public opinion budget priorities politics Mood concerned pragmatic Type political analytical When to use this quote - policy debates - election campaigns - budget negotiations - public surveys Key Concepts federal spending entitlement programs defense budget Questions to Reflect On - How should policymakers balance these priorities with other needs? - What drives public support for these programs? A Different Perspective The percentages may shift over time, and other priorities also matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-people/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-security/) ## Related quotes > [The way to balance the budget is for Congress to cut Social Security, move the retirement age to 70, cut defense, Medicare and veterans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/the-way-to-balance-the-budget-is-for-congress-to-cut-social-security/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [When you look at a Congress that has an 84 percent disapproval rating, that means that for the most part, the people of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-emken/when-you-look-at-a-congress-that-has-an-84-percent-disapproval-rating/) [Elizabeth Emken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-emken/) > [Unfortunately, the (budget) does not . . . help Congress reform such programs as Medicaid and Medicare, which both grow at average rate of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cornyn/unfortunately-the-budget-does-not-help-congress-reform-such-programs/) [John Cornyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cornyn/) > [Most people don't realize that two-thirds of the federal budget is Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Pentagon. 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