Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Would you accept both higher taxes on yourself and reduced Social Security and Medicare benefits in order to reduce the $40 trillion national debt? Michael confronts a problem Americans overwhelmingly say matters—but one Washington has repeatedly failed to solve. With the national debt now above $40 trillion and interest costs mounting, Michael revisits Pete Peterson’s warnings and the 2010 Simpson-Bowles Commission, which sought shared sacrifice through higher revenue and reduced spending. Today’s poll puts that tradeoff directly to voters: Are Americans willing to personally pay more and receive less if that’s what serious debt reduction requires?