Name: What we learned from teetering on the fiscal cliff
Uploaded: 2012-12-20T16:09:04Z
Duration: 19 min 31 s
Description: At the end of 2012, the US political system was headed for the "fiscal cliff" -- a budget impasse that could only be solved with bipartisan agreement. Adam Davidson, cohost of "Planet Money," shares surprising data on how bipartisan we truly are -- and hints at the disconnect between representatives and the people they represent.

At the end of 2012, the US political system was headed for the "fiscal cliff" -- a budget impasse that could only be solved with bipartisan agreement. Adam Davidson, cohost of "Planet Money," shares surprising data on how bipartisan we truly are -- and hints at the disconnect between representatives and the people they represent.

What we learned from teetering on the fiscal cliff

Despite loud partisan battles over the fiscal cliff, most Americans hold pragmatic, centrist views on budget issues. Over 55 percent of federal spending goes to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, which the majority across parties want to keep with only minor adjustments. Fierce debates in Congress and media rarely reflect this broad consensus. The real divide comes from a vocal minority and entrenched interests, not the general public.