“And we just disagree,” goes the chorus from the old Dave Mason song.

After reading the new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California, you could say that pretty much describes the state’s citizens when it comes to how to fix our government.

Find the poll here.

When you read past the headlines (governor’s approval ratings largely unchanged, special election unpopular), you find fascinating details that may explain why state government continues to be out of balance.

The PPIC pollsters asked respondents to pick one of the following statements that they most agreed with. Check out the numbers of who chose what:

“I’d rather pay higher taxes to support a larger state government that provides more services”: 46%

“I’d rather pay lower taxes and have a smaller state government that provides fewer services”: 46%

With that kind of split down the middle, it’s hardly surprising that the lawmakers who represent those citizens have failed to solve the state’s chronic budget problems.

Other thought-provoking findings:

* Most voters surveyed are willing to erase the deficit through higher taxes for the wealthy (68% favor) and for corporations (60% favor), but not by raising sales taxes (71% oppose) or by broadening what services are charged a sales tax (63% oppose).

* 55% of all adults surveyed don’t like the way Proposition 13 makes a new homeowner in a neighborhood have higher property taxes than an established homeowner– although that number drops down to 46% opposition from likely voters, a subgroup which may be the only one that matters to lawmakers.

* When it comes to making long-term budget and government reforms, a whopping 72% of those surveyed would rather have voters make decisions on the ballot, not lawmakers here in Sacramento.