Can you blame them? The federal government’s unfunded liabilities total about $109.6 trillion, and that figure only grows by the second. Social Security is anything but secure.

A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds that a majority of retirees say they expect their current benefits to be cut, a dramatic increase in the number who hold that view. And a record six of 10 non-retirees predict Social Security won’t be able to pay them benefits when they stop working.

Skepticism is highest among the youngest workers: Three-fourths of those 18 to 34 don’t expect to get a Social Security check when they retire.

Of course, Americans still aren’t willing to face reality when it comes to Social Security: We need to raise the retirement age and take other tough austerity measures. Instead, Americans want to soak the “rich” with higher taxes and lower benefits.

Unfortunately, Social Security remains the third rail of American politics. And so no leaders, left or right, will come forward and tell the public the truth.