I don't think most of them do understand, at least in terms of the big picture. They think that deficits and debt are nothing to be worried about, because they will disappear when the economy eventually recovers and tax revenues come back. They do not bog themselves down with details, they just have really good feeling about it.

They see big government as a necessary regulator for greed and monopoly in a much more urbanized country that our forefathers ever had to deal with. I'm convinced that these people honestly believe in their positions. They do not see themselves as takers. They see themselves rather as proponents of a more compassionate society.

They will of course eventually run out of other people's money and when their entitlement checks bounce placing their personal well being under threat, then they will understand.