GLOUCESTER COUNTY, N.J.—Like many in this middle-class suburb, Chad Flexon sees the efforts of Washington politicians to cut the budget deficit as far removed from his life.

"I can't see myself, being where I am, being that greatly affected by anything that gets passed," says Mr. Flexon, a 26-year-old teacher who, with his wife, a store merchandise coordinator, earned well under $100,000 last year.

Yet...