This piece offers an interesting insight into the mindset of the "average American" on government spending. Apparently, social security payments and government spending stand in direct opposition to each other in the mind of these people. It seems to be a zero sum game - an increase in one must lead to a decrease in other. That is why many of them will vote Repug to curb government spending and "save" their social security. In other words, they will burn the village to save it.
Of course, it goes hand in hand with anti-government populism championed by the right, the middle and the left - so it is futile to argue it in a rational way.
Wojtek