The Problem of Democracy

This graphic, which details some polling information on the upcoming referendum in Alabama, details a key problem in US politics: people want any number of services, but are utterly unwilling to pay for them. If you look at the numbers, you see that there is a heavy percentage of oppositon to the portions of the Governor's plan which will raise revenue, but support for the measures that will cost money (money which the state doesn't have, and won't if the package doesn't pass).

This is a time-worn problem, and certainly explains a great deal of public policy at the state, local and national levels.