A survey from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) released this week reveals that the personal spending habits of the American people are starting to reflect the policies of their government. CNBC reports that more than half surveyed say they have less than $25,000 in household savings and investments (excluding their home and pension benefits), and could not come up with $2,000 in cash if an unexpected need arose in the next month.

On ‘Real News’ Wednesday the panel discussed America’s savings problem, the policy that could be encouraging it, and the possible consequences.