Social Security: Red Flags:
"Lack of Realism?

Many experts would argue that the public's views on Social Security are unrealistic. Unlike most experts, the public attributes the program's problems more to waste and mismanagement than to demographics. Half of Americans mistakenly believe poverty among the elderly has increased. While few think the government now spends too much on Social Security, only about one in five know how much of the federal budget is devoted to Social Security. "

http://www.publicagenda.org/issues/red_flags.cfm?issue_type=ss