Disturbing Poll Numbers - 44% Feel that Government Should Spend Money on Programs for Younger Adults

Wow.  I am blown away by this.  What is the most disturbing is the fact that 46% of those that describe themselves as Republican feel this way as well.  Now it didn't go into what those programs should be, but still I am sitting here shaking my head.

There are government programs that I feel are good ones.  I think the Small Business Administration backing loans for businesses is a good use of public funds.  It helps promote economic growth as well as improving employment for people around the country.  Now, I do feel that if people don't pay back the loans, the assets should be seized so the tax payers are not on the hook.  Although I do find some of the ways that grants are given out is suspect at best.  It seems that if you are a white man, you need not apply.  Shocker.  But the loan program is a good government program.  But that program isn't based on age.  While it is unlikely that seniors are going to be applying for these, it isn't based on age.

I also believe that as a country the majority of us agree that we need to make investments in educating our young.  The disagreement comes from what level of government should be doing it, but virtually all feel that we need an education system.  Now I personally believe that it is  in major disrepair and needs serious overhaul, but I certainly don't feel that it isn't a good use of public funds.

While this should come as no surprise, the majority of people who feel that young should get more public funds are between the ages of  18-29.  This of course is the group that put the least amount into the system, yet feels it should be the group that takes advantage of what is there, and to be honest the way we spend money in this country it isn't even using what is there, it is borrowed money.  I guess the reality that they are the ones going forward are going to pay the highest price for all this borrowing.  But it will hit them eventually.

I am not a huge fan of Social Security.  I would like to see a plan that is partially privatized and allow people to make a choice about how to invest their money for their futures.  Lets be honest here, it is difficult, at best, to live solely on that income and it is costing tax payers a fortune.  While that is due to mismanagement by our government officials (Thanks, LBJ), it doesn't change the fact that we all are going to pay higher and higher taxes to pay out what was promised.  We still have a generation of people who were not able to take advantage of retirement plans from day one of their adult work lives, they absolutely should be given the benefits that they have paid in to.  But today virtually any worker can take advantage of retirement savings plan.  I even had one as a part-time retail worker.

I honestly don't know what it is going to take to make people see that our government is too big, too intrusive and way too expensive.  Paying a great deal of money in taxes due to reckless spending is why people don't have money to do the things that they want to do.

America is Not Buying What President Obama is Pushing

Gallup released a new poll that is not good for President Obama's campaign strategy.  







But what is really fascinating is this:





Even with the economy being much worse than it was in 1998 more than half feel that there being a difference between rich and poor is acceptable.  Another words, they like capitalism. 


President Obama should take heed.  Even in a horrible economy Americans don't want a quasi-socialist economy that President Obama has spent the past three years trying to create.  


God Bless America. 

Cross Posted at Potluck Bloggers and Pundit Press




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Music Break - An Ode to Obama Poll Numbers

Some Interesting Poll Numbers

PPP will be releasing some in depth polling tomorrow on the Republican cast of potential presidential nominees. 

While it is no secret that they are left leaning this particular poll only used republicans.  The numbers are interesting:

Most Republicans don't like Ron Paul.  He has his very fervent followers, but in general the run of the mill republican is not interested. His approval rating is at 30%. 

Republicans are not overly impressed with Donald Trump's decision to run for president.  His approval rate is at 29%.  Since everyone knows him, his numbers don't have much chance for improvement. 

Most republicans feel that Sarah Palin wouldn't be a bad vice president, but don't feel she is qualified for the #1 seat.  While she has high approval ratings among republicans, they just don't see her as presidential material.  Only 29% feel she is qualified for president, while 46% say she would make a good VP. 

Full poll will be released tomorrow. 

Does The New York Times Still Want to Say Reading the Constitution was a Waste of Time? Elected Officials fail Quiz on Constitution

Well, the really sad state of this poll says that it really wasn't.  It doesn't breakdown what offices these people hold, while that matters, it is still very scary that how badly they did. 

But those elected officials who took the test scored an average 5 percentage points lower than the national average (49 percent vs. 54 percent), with ordinary citizens outscoring these elected officials on each constitutional question. Examples:



•Only 49 percent of elected officials could name all three branches of government, compared with 50 percent of the general public.


•Only 46 percent knew that Congress, not the president, has the power to declare war -- 54 percent of the general public knows that.


•Just 15 percent answered correctly that the phrase "wall of separation" appears in Thomas Jefferson's letters -- not in the U.S. Constitution -- compared with 19 percent of the general public.


•And only 57 percent of those who've held elective office know what the Electoral College does, while 66 percent of the public got that answer right. (Of elected officials, 20 percent thought the Electoral College was a school for "training those aspiring for higher political office.")

Does the left want to rethink the jokes that they are making about Bachmann arranging lectures on the Constitution?  Seems to me they are sorely needed. 

You can take the quiz yourself and see how you do.  I got 100% correct. 
H/T Jill

See Americans Can See the Truth - Not Buying the Lefts Blame Game

A new poll is out today that the majority of Americans have rejected the falsehoods that were spewed over the past few days about the shooting of Congresswoman Giffords.  The largest portion of people who did believe the spin were democrats:

Overall, 57 percent of respondents said the harsh political tone had nothing to do with the shooting, compared to 32 percent who felt it did. Republicans were more likely to feel the two were unrelated - 69 percent said rhetoric was not to blame; 19 percent said it played a part. Democrats were more split on the issue - 49 percent saw no connection; 42 percent said there was.


Independents more closely reflected the overall breakdown - 56 percent said rhetoric had nothing to do with the attack; 33 percent felt it did.

But even the majority of the democrats that were polled felt that the election rhetoric is simply that, rhetoric.  This is a hopeful sign as in people can see for themselves once the facts come out.  There can be little doubt the shooter has problems that have nothing to do with Sarah Palin.  His obsession with the congresswoman started in 2007, the chances of him knowing who Gov. Palin was at that time are very low indeed. 

I would venture to say that number will be even higher as more has come out. We now know that this kid had some sort of satanic alter in his backyard, top that with the creepy mug shot that has been released, and even more people will see that as much as the Krugmans of the world would like to blame conservatives for this tragedy, people just are not buying it.  Once again, common sense prevails.  While the families are certainly the most impacted by this horrible act, but the media is going to pay a high price for this.  People are on to the bias that has been so obvious for the past three days. 

Maybe now we can start having the discussions that we should be having.  Why did the police in Tucson ignore the warning signs that this kid was so mentally unbalanced that he was a direct danger to himself and others?  Arizona has some the most lenient laws when it comes to getting a person to a doctor for care.  We also need to discuss how the left in this country have pushed for changes in the mental health laws that make it very difficult for families to get help for a loved one, even when they know that they need it.  While there is no question there was abuse in the mental health system, we have swung too far in the other direction which has caused more problems.  The usual unintended consequences of government intervention. 

As always, prayers for the families that have lost their loved ones, and continue good wishes to the congresswoman, who seems to be taking more steps towards her recovery.  She gave a thumbs up on command.  Praise God for giving her the strength and the fortitude to survive everything she has been through. 

Palin Losing Ground Among Republicans and Key States

Two new polls have been released that are not good news for Governor Palin.  One was done by CNN/Opinion Research which has only 49% likely or somewhat likely to support a presidental bid.  The breakdown of the very likely is only 23% of those polled, the second lowest out of the names that were polled.  Her highest number of 28% came in as not likely at all to support her bid for the presidency. 


Governor Romney 24%
Governor Huckabee 27%
Former Speaker Gingrich 19%.


Governor Palin has never been one to pay much attention to polls, if she did, she wouldn't have ever run for governor.  But running for governor is not remotely the same as going through a national primary, where momentum means a great deal. 

The second of the polls was conducted by Public Policy Polling.  A left leaning polling company polled key primary states.   These numbers need to be taken with a grain of salt as they don't list the breakouts of the polling just give the actual numbers.  Who they polled is also not listed.  Of course the media is running with these numbers, especially the ones about her home state of Alaska. 

State



Montana
44/50


Ohio
37/52


North Carolina
36/57


Florida
36/57


Virginia
35/58


Wisconsin
35/58


Minnesota
35/60


Michigan
34/60


Alaska
33/58


Massachusetts
27/68


At this point these numbers mean nothing, as the election is almost two years away.  But, eventually these numbers will start to mean something.  Once the primaries start getting closer republican primary voters will start to look at poll numbers to look at negatives among independents.  Winning the primary is not the goal, the general election is.  Once the primaries get started winning in the early states means something as it helps build onto the next state.  We will need to wait and see how these numbers change as the primaries start to get closer. 

The 111th Congress Final Piece of History

The lowest job approval rating in the history of the poll.  They got a full 13%.  Even the Los Angeles Times is asking how it is that high.  The respondents who label themselves as democrats are the most approving (shocker) but even that is only at 16%. 

Who exactly are these people and why haven't they taken their meds? 

They are in the final phase of the destruction of America with a pork laden omnibus bill that has thousands of earmarks.  This is a bill that needs to be done due to the fact that the government has no funding after Saturday.  So, as usual, congress waits until the very last minute to pass important and necessary legislation and then puts all their own pet projects in it. 

I see that the ghost of John Murtha is alive and well and still funding the airport built for one.  Yes, we are still paying for the airport that virtually no one uses.  Why?  Seriously what could be the justification for this?  Heaven only knows what else one might find in there. 

We have people who were voted out lining their districts/states with tax payer funds that other members are completely unaware of.  One final slap in the face to the voters that kicked their pork laden butts to the curb. 

Is is any wonder that people of this country can't stand them? 

A Look into the Views of the Muslim World

An interesting new poll has been released regarding the views of the Muslim world.  It is a mixed bag from a western point of view. 

In some countries the people who consider themselves reformers are a much larger margin than the fundmentalists. 

What becomes confusing, if not downright scary are the below numbers:

•At least three-quarters of Muslims in Egypt and Pakistan say they would favor making each of the following the law in their countries: stoning people who commit adultery, whippings and cutting off of hands for crimes like theft and robbery and the death penalty for those who leave the Muslim religion. Majorities of Muslims in Jordan and Nigeria also favor these harsh punishments.

It is hard to reconcile that Pakistani's in larger numbers think they are moderates/reformers yet still want stoning and whipping.  The numbers in Egypt are a little easier to see due to the larger numbers of fundementalists. 

Some very good news is that al Qaeda is losing ground:

Only in Nigeria is there a majority that favors bin Laden.  But, Hamas and Hezbollah are more popular in other areas of the Muslim world.


And finally, the role of Islam in government:

To see the entire poll go here

Go West - Updated Polling Looking Good For LTC West

Allen West has an overall six point lead over Ron Klein (48% to 42%).



 West also leads among key subgroups crucial to victory in November,


Independents and informed voters.
o Independents: 52% West – 36% Klein
o Voters who have heard of both candidates: 53% West – 40% Klein
o Voters with an opinion of both candidates: 56% West – 41% Klein

What is not love about this man? 

See full results here.

H/T to Gateway Pundit

Is Palin Becoming More Mainstream?

Rasmussen seems to think so:

Fifty-two percent (52%) of Likely U.S. Voters say their own views are closer to Sarah Palin’s than they are to President Obama’s

Just 40% say their views are closer to the president’s than to those of the former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential candidate.


Among the Political Class, however, 68% say their views are more like Obama’s, while 63% of Mainstream voters describe their views as more like Palin’s.

 
 
Now I am not sure exactly what "Political Class" means.  But here is a snapshot of the political class:
 

A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 67% of Political Class voters believe the United States is generally heading in the right direction. However, things look a lot different to Mainstream Americans. Among these voters, 84% say the country has gotten off on the wrong track.

  
 
If 67% of them think the country is heading in the right direction they must not really be paying attention. 
 
 
Read full results here

Bachmann Ahead in Latest Poll

This is one district that Pelosi and Company have spent a great deal of money to win.  Looks like they will have to wait another two years for that. 

MN-06: In Bid for 3rd Term, Republican Bachman Remains Atop Democrat Clark; GOP Positioned to Hold the Seat: In an election for United States Representative from Minnesota's 6th Congressional District today, 09/16/10, incumbent Republican Michele Bachman is elected to a 3rd term, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for KSTP-TV in Minneapolis-St. Paul.


Today, it's Bachman 49%, DFL State Senator Tarryl Clark 40%. Compared to an identical SurveyUSA poll released 2 months ago, little has changed: each candidate is up 1 point. Under the surface, there is offsetting movement: Clark has reduced slightly Bachman's advantage among men and among Independents, and has gained ground among voters over age 50; Bachman, meantime, is now even with Clark among women and has increased her advantage among middle-aged voters.

The numbers of who she is pulling in are interesting.  She has 9% of democrats and 45% of independents.  46% of non gun owners and 42% of people who rarely or never attend church services.  See full results here

Michele Bachmann Ahead in Polls

Congresswoman Bachman is one of the biggest targets of the democrats this season.  So, to see that she is ahead is very good news indeed. 

In MN-06, High-Profile Michele Bachmann Narrowly Atop DFL Challenger, 4 Months To Election: In an election for United States Representative from Minnesota's 6th Congressional District today, 07/12/10, men and younger voters re-elect incumbent Republican Michele Bachmann to a 3rd term, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for KSTP-TV in Minneapolis-St. Paul.



Bachmann and DFL State Senator Tarryl Clark are tied among voters age 50+. But when voters of all ages are combined, including the youngest voters, Bachmann leads 48% to 39%. There is a striking 33-point Gender Gap. Bachmann, a woman, leads by 25 points among male likely voters. Clark, a woman, leads by 8 points among female likely voters. Of those who support the Tea Party movement, 86% back Bachmann. Of those who oppose the Tea Party movement, 82% back Clark.


Entire poll data here

Finally, Some Hope and Change I Can Believe In

The country is awaking.  Here are some results to a poll:

55% describe President Obama as socialist.  62% describe him as a big spender and 57% describe him as too liberal. 

Well, I have been saying this since 2007, but at least people are finally starting to see it. 


Poll from Democracy Corps

Go West - Allen West Ahead in First Poll in the FL 22

West 44 Klein 42

This is very good news.  Allen West is a candidate that is the face of the future of the GOP.  He has the grit and discpline that is way too lacking in Washington, DC and this country sorely needs back.  See full info below. 

West_Memo

The Continued Delusion of Harry Reid

Harry Reid appeared On The Record last night.  At one point he said that his poll numbers are just fine:

They show former state GOP chairwoman Sue Lowden whacking Reid, 54 to 39; former state Assemblywoman Sharron Angle has boosted her lead and now beats Reid, 51 to 40, in a hypothetical race; while businessman Danny Tarkanian beats Reid, 49 to 42.

His disapproval levels in Nevada has increased 5% over the past month, and is now at 53%.  49% of Nevadans feel closer to the Tea Party Movement than to Congress.  President Obama has 58% disapproval rating although he won the state with 55%.  62% feel that incumbents losing will be a good thing for the country. 

During the latter part of the interview Harry then went into a discussion about the healthcare bill; saying that now that it has passed people are very happy with it.  Really?  62% of Nevadans back the repeal of the law. 

During the interview, he defends Ben Nelson's Cornhusker Kickback, then berates him for not sticking up for it.  In Harry's opinion, he should have been shouting it from the rooftops.  That is what he would have done. 

He was also asked if he was worried about the people scamming the healthcare system by purchasing insurance only when they get sick, and paying the fine the rest of the time.  Oh, no that won't happen.  Why would people do that?  After all it is not happening in MA under Romneycare. 

“These consumers come in and get their service, and then they leave because current regulations allow them to do it,’’ said Todd Bailey, vice president of underwriting at Fallon Community Health Plan, the state’s fourth-largest insurer. 


I almost feel sorry for him.  On second thought, not so much.

Source: Los Angeles Times

See more at Memeorandum

Talk about Spin - Robert Gibbs on 2010 Election Cycle

“Look at what the President said today,” said Gibbs. “I think that's a lot of what 2010 is going to be about, to be honest with you. I think it's going -- you know, people are going to have to decide whether the people they have in Washington are on the side of protecting the big banks, whether they're on the side of protecting the big oil companies, whether they're on the side of protecting insurance companies, or whether they're on the people's side. I think what he laid out today is what you'll hear him talk a lot about.”



How delusional is this man?  This statement was made on the plane ride back to DC after the President went to try and save the senate race in one of the most liberal states in the country two days before the election. 
 
Mr. Gibbs, in case you have noticed, the people are figuring out who is on their side, and it isn't you and Pelosi. 
 
32% think the country is heading in the right direction
 
60% think that the president in 2013 will be from the GOP
 
58% think that congress is doing a poor job
 
52% are opposed further government involvement in the financial sector
 
50% expect the US to still be in a recession at the end of 2010
 
39% of the country strongly disapproves of President Obama's performance. 
 
President Obama's approval index is at -12
 
Republicans up by 9 on generic ballot
 
57% expect healthcare costs to rise due to the democrat reform bill
 
People who label themselves as a democrat has dropped by 6 points since November 2008

Scott Brown Polling Ahead of Martha Coakley

The latest polls now have state senator Scott Brown pulling ahead of attorney general Martha Coakley 50 to 47.

Scott Brown is winning among independents by a large margin 65% to 30%

17% of democrats are supporting Scott Brown. 

Brown has also raised at least a million dollars everyday this week.  His average donation is under $75. 

This pollster was the only one who predicted Hillary Clinton's win in New Hampshire 2008. 

Martha Coakley has done much of this to herself.  In an interview on Wednesday she said the following

Ken Pittman: Right, if you are a Catholic, and believe what the Pope teaches that any form of birth control is a sin. ah you don’t want to do that.


Martha Coakley: No we have a seperation of church and state Ken, lets be clear.

Ken Pittman: In the emergency room you still have your religious freedom.

Martha Coakley: (……uh, eh…um..) The law says that people are allowed to have that. You can have religious freedom but you probably shouldn’t work in the emergency room.

Nice, so this woman thinks she has the right to tell people of faith where to work.  Why in heck did the people of MA vote for this woman in the primary? 

Her ever evolving story of her aide and the reporter certainly has not helped matters.  But, what I think is the most important factor in this is the sheer arrogance of this woman.  She has behaved like the seat belonged to her once the primary was over.  If she does indeed lose this race, she may want to rethink that 6 day vacation she took after the primary. 
 
Even the left leaning paper Boston Herald is stunned:
 
Boston Herald opinion writer Howie Carr believes he’s seeing a trend already in the absentee voting. Carr says, “It becomes increasingly clear, Scott Brown is winning among the people who work for a living, as opposed to Democrats, who are Martha’s voters.

Updated Polls - Coakley and Brown a Statistical Tie

The Latest Numbers as of 1/11/10

Coakley 49%

Brown 47%

A Republican being two points behind one week before election day is amazing.  Scott Brown may not be able to pull of this miracle, but he already has given the democratic party a shot across the bough.  He should not be this close.  President Obama won the state by an almost 3 to 1 margin, and he still has a postive approval rating. 

Scott Brown had a "Moneybomb" grassroots fundraising event yesterday and raised more than $1.3 million, with the majority of the donations being under $100.

Wednesday night Martha Coakley held an expensive fundraiser with lobbyists in Washington DC.

Wasn't it President Obama that said over and over again that lobbyists is what is wrong with our government? 

Hmm, under that paradigm wouldn't Obama have to vote for Scott Brown, the people's candidate? 

Slip Sliding Away - Obama Poll Numbers

CBS is polling the president at 46% approval rating. Another interesting stat from CBS is that only 36% approve of Obama's handling of the healthcare debate.  




Rasmussen has the President at 46% approval rating. 26% strongly approve and 40% strongly disapprove -14 approval index rating.



A 2 to 1 margin believes that the bailouts hurt the economy.



55% disapprove of the healthcare reform bills before Congress.



The President's ratings are falling on a continuous basis.