A Dichotomy of Opinion....

[YardleyLabs]

One of the difficulties in arguments about the desires of the American public is that the majority of the American public supports contradictory positions. As an example, a large majority of the public believes that the government is trying to do too much, that it is over reaching. 59% say the Federal government has too much power.This is shown below:


58% say the government tries to do too much to solve problems:



However, when it comes to specific issues, the majority want the government to do more in many major areas of debate. The only area in which a majority would like to see the government do less is in supporting businesses that are in trouble. This is shown below:



This dichotomy is one of the reasons that it is hard to define what "mandate" comes when one party or another is given a majority in Congress or elected to the White House.

[david gibson]

this stems from the fact the govt. tends to f#*k everything up when it does get involved. we think there is too much govt. because it has screwed up education, social security, etc etc, but when a new problem comes along people want a quick fix before they realize it will just be F'd up and cost them oodles of tax money.

if govt could get something right for once perhaps there wouldnt be such cynicism.

if pigs had wings regards

[luvmylabs23139]

YOu miss one Jeff. The majority want the gov't to do less when it comes to income differences.
More 34% Less 44%
In other words the majority are sick of this socialist redistribution of wealth!

[Franco]

The government's solution to a problem is often worse than the problem.

Take the Health Care overhaul or thier inability to protect US citizens that live on our southern boarder/immigration. They have completely screwed it up.

Government needs to sticck to;

Protecting its citizens and Constitution
Maintaining a well-equipped and ready Armed Forces
Maintaining the infastructor for commerce

Government is never the REAL solution. They spend 10x's what they need to on a problem and they try and solve all problems with throwing money at it.

Reducing the size of the Fed government will go a long way in reducing our debt and making them more accountable.

[YardleyLabs]

YOu miss one Jeff. The majority want the gov't to do less when it comes to income differences.
More 34% Less 44%
In other words the majority are sick of this socialist redistribution of wealth!

Actually, it says that 56% want the government to do more or are happy with what the government is doing now with respect to income redistribution, while 44% want the government to do less. 33% (a chart that I did not post) believe the government should do nothing with respect to income redistribution, while the balance believes that the government should have some role in income redistribution.

The government's solution to a problem is often worse than the problem.

Take the Health Care overhaul or thier inability to protect US citizens that live on our southern boarder/immigration. They have completely screwed it up.

Government needs to sticck to;

Protecting its citizens and Constitution
Maintaining a well-equipped and ready Armed Forces
Maintaining the infastructor for commerce

Government is never the REAL solution. They spend 10x's what they need to on a problem and they try and solve all problems with throwing money at it.

Reducing the size of the Fed government will go a long way in reducing our debt and making them more accountable.

I understand, but do not share, your opinion on the role of government. In most cases, I would side with the majority in this particular poll. I do believe that the government needs to reduce spending dramatically from current levels. However, a huge portion of that cut will need to be in defense which will force a redefinition of America's military role in the world. Currently, about 40% of all Federal tax revenues go to defense.It's hard to see how anything can be done that involves increasing that number.

[Cody Covey]

Thats because unfortunately most don't take the same views as Franco (and I) about the government. They want less government as long as it doesn't affect any programs or problems they are currently receiving or having. I feel that the government usually makes a problem worse instead of helping the situation. If you take out the ridiculous interpretation of the general welfare clause to over ride the complete rest of the founding documents and just stick to spending what the enumerated powers allows then we would be in a much better place.

[Blackstone]

I think it speaks to just how fickle the American public really is. Most are against gov. programs except for the program(s) that benefit them. Most are against gov. intervention unless it benefits them. Look how many people supported the invasion of Iraq. Bush told everyone it would not be a quick operation. Yet, the majority of the American public bought into it. Now, some of the same people that supported it wholeheartedly, are railing against it because of the number of Americans killed, and because it has taken so long to resolve. I recently listened to an interview with an author that wrote a book about the demographics of the Tea Party membership. According to the author, about 20% are over age 65, receive Social Security, and receive some form of Medicaid and/or Medicare related benefits. Yet, they say they are against gov. programs because they are just a form of socialism.

[Cody Covey]

I think it speaks to just how fickle the American public really is. Most are against gov. programs except for the program(s) that benefit them. Most are against gov. intervention unless it benefits them. Look how many people supported the invasion of Iraq. Bush told everyone it would not be a quick operation. Yet, the majority of the American public bought into it. Now, some of the same people that supported it wholeheartedly, are railing against it because of the number of Americans killed, and because it has taken so long to resolve. I recently listened to an interview with an author that wrote a book about the demographics of the Tea Party membership. According to the author, about 20% are over age 65, receive Social Security, and receive some form of Medicaid and/or Medicare related benefits. Yet, they say they are against gov. programs because they are just a form of socialism.

Its not like you can get out of paying for social security or medicaid/medicare so you would be stupid not to use it. That doesn't mean that the programs should be continued. If the Social Security was so popular and such a great program why is it not voluntary. Let people opt in if they want and if not they get no money later. Of course democrats would never let this happen because it would collapse immediately i would imagine.

[Juli H]

This cracks me up.

THere is a family here in Tok, who are on just about every known federal and state assistance program known to mankind. They have like 6 kids with a 7th on the way...And yet they support one of the most conservative candidates to represent our state at the federal level - Joe Miller...
LOL...

[dnf777]

This cracks me up.

THere is a family here in Tok, who are on just about every known federal and state assistance program known to mankind. They have like 6 kids with a 7th on the way...And yet they support one of the most conservative candidates to represent our state at the federal level - Joe Miller...
LOL...

In my area, the same seems to hold true also. The people who benefit the most from gov't cheese, are the most vocal about "smaller goob'mint" and getting rid of the very entitlement programs they use daily. (meth clinics, public transportation, medical assist/medicaide, foodstamps, etc...)