64% of Americans believe Big Government is the biggest threat

[monovillage]

A poll paid for by Politico, done by Gallup.
This poll shows that 64% of all Americans consider Big Government to be the biggest threat that Americans face. Even 48% of Democrats and 64% of Independents thought that Big Government is the biggest threat. 82% of Republicans consider it the biggest threat.
How often do we see someone on these forums denigrated and called some kind of nut if they distrust government or consider Big Government as a threat, this poll shows that a good sized majority of Americans agree on their distrust of Big Government. It's no surprise to me, but I didn't know I held such mainstream views.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/70318.html

"An overwhelming 64 percent of people surveyed said big government was the biggest threat to the country, compared to just 26 percent who said big business is their gravest concern and 8 percent who picked big labor."

 

[Craig234]

This is a dangerous ideology being spread, that was popularized by Ronald Reagan.

Before him, we became a nation sometimes assassinating, sponsoring torture and murder and fighting democracy and risking nuclear war over anti-communist frenzy.

Now, we're allowing the corrupt economic royals to take the wealth of 99% of Americans and attack our democracy while people blame the government.

It plays into the hands of the rich, who would love to take the people's power.

The only thing that threatens the rich is when the people organize and through the power of government protect their interests - as democracy is designed to do.

The rich have corrupted our elections - and then say 'government is bad'.

 

[Craig234]

This is a dangerous ideology being spread, that was popularized by Ronald Reagan.

Before him, we became a nation sometimes assassinating, sponsoring torture and murder and fighting democracy and risking nuclear war over anti-communist frenzy.

Now, we're allowing the corrupt economic royals to take the wealth of 99% of Americans and attack our democracy while people blame the government.

It plays into the hands of the rich, who would love to take the people's power.

The only thing that threatens the rich is when the people organize and through the power of government protect their interests - as democracy is designed to do.

The rich have corrupted our elections - and then say 'government is bad'.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Well since a majority believe that, and we live in a democracy, it's not really much of a threat then is it?

 

[Doppel]

This is a dangerous ideology being spread, that was popularized by Ronald Reagan.

Before him, we became a nation sometimes assassinating, sponsoring torture and murder and fighting democracy and risking nuclear war over anti-communist frenzy.

Now, we're allowing the corrupt economic royals to take the wealth of 99% of Americans and attack our democracy while people blame the government.

It plays into the hands of the rich, who would love to take the people's power.

The only thing that threatens the rich is when the people organize and through the power of government protect their interests - as democracy is designed to do.

The rich have corrupted our elections - and then say 'government is bad'.

Agree with this.

I wonder what people mean it is a threat to exactly, their economic prosperity or what?

 

[Ausm]

Was the pol done in Kansas or Texas?

 

[zsdersw]

Poll the same people, though, and you'll find they love big government when it comes to Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid.

Suffice it to say, most Americans are hypocritical about how much government they really want.

 

[soccerballtux]

Poll the same people, though, and you'll find they love big government when it comes to Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid.

Suffice it to say, most Americans are hypocritical about how much government they really want.

this is why it was supposed to stay small. cause once you're sucking on sweet, delicious freebies, you won't give them up.

 

[fskimospy]

Poll the same people, though, and you'll find they love big government when it comes to Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid.

Suffice it to say, most Americans are hypocritical about how much government they really want.

/thread

 

[Genx87]

Poll the same people, though, and you'll find they love big government when it comes to Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid.

Suffice it to say, most Americans are hypocritical about how much government they really want.

Sad but true.

 

[kami333]

Poll the same people, though, and you'll find they love big government when it comes to Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid.

Suffice it to say, most Americans are hypocritical about how much government they really want.

And ironically most of the programs they love are those implemented at the Federal government, while the laws that people have the most the most issues with (zoning, licensing, etc) tend to be from the state/county/city level.

 

[matt0611]

Poll the same people, though, and you'll find they love big government when it comes to Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid.

Suffice it to say, most Americans are hypocritical about how much government they really want.

Of course they do, they got great deals from it. The people currently receiving checks from those programs and the people approaching that point will get more than they paid in. Whats not to like?

Its the younger people that will get the shaft.

Classic theft of the minority by the majority right there. Don't you just love democracy?

If everyone loves the programs so much, there shouldn't be a problem with allowing an opt-out right?

 

[zsdersw]

So, anyone still drinking the Tea Party/GOP budget-slashing kool-aid? If so, please get help.

 

[monovillage]

So, anyone still drinking the Tea Party/GOP budget-slashing kool-aid? If so, please get help.

Looks like 64% of the population.

 

[monovillage]

Well since a majority believe that, and we live in a democracy, it's not really much of a threat then is it?

Only if you think we get a vote on what the government does. How did you vote on the invasion of Iraq?

 

[monovillage]

Poll the same people, though, and you'll find they love big government when it comes to Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid.

Suffice it to say, most Americans are hypocritical about how much government they really want.

I doubt it, just because you're hypocritical doesn't mean the poll responders were.

 

[monovillage]

/thread

You wish, this isn't a subject or a poll you really want to see get much play.

 

[zsdersw]

I doubt it, just because you're hypocritical doesn't mean the poll responders were.

How am I being hypocritical?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

This is a dangerous ideology being spread, that was popularized by Ronald Reagan.

Before him, we became a nation sometimes assassinating, sponsoring torture and murder and fighting democracy and risking nuclear war over anti-communist frenzy.

Now, we're allowing the corrupt economic royals to take the wealth of 99% of Americans and attack our democracy while people blame the government.

It plays into the hands of the rich, who would love to take the people's power.

The only thing that threatens the rich is when the people organize and through the power of government protect their interests - as democracy is designed to do.

The rich have corrupted our elections - and then say 'government is bad'.

Both are institutions which seek power and control. In the case of government it's irrevocable. If your business doesn't like you it fires you. If the government doesn't then it has means to deprive you of not just income but liberty and ultimately life if the threat is large enough. Don't believe me? Don't pay your taxes and see of the government "fires" you.

Today's left is a far and pitiful echo of the past, who understood that ceding ultimate control to a power immune from real repercussions was unwise.

I was taught this from a Liberal from the past.

"Question Authority"
and
"The main function of any government it to keep itself in power. That they are occasionally benign does not alter that fact."

His was a bit like Winston Smith for most of 1984. It seems his successors are as he was at the end.

 

[monovillage]

How am I being hypocritical?

How were the poll responders being hypocritical? I thought i'd just return the favor since you claimed they were the ones that were hypocrites.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

For those not familiar with the book, here's the ending of 1984 reflecting the attitude of some today.

He gazed up at the enormous face. Forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark moustache. O cruel, needless misunderstanding! O stubborn, self-willed exile from the loving breast! Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his nose. But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.

 

[Macamus Prime]

Big government is bad when it tries to feed the poor.

Big government is good when it tries to punish you for what you do in your bedroom.

Thank you conservatives of America! Carry on the good fight.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

How were the poll responders being hypocritical? I thought i'd just return the favor since you claimed they were the ones that were hypocrites.

Because undoubtedly a majority of that 64% is firmly attached to the goverment tit and drawing SS and medicare while they bemoan big government.

It's no secret that the retired and elderly make up a substantial portion of the ultra conservative republican base and are the staunchest opponents of big government and the most active in polling and getting out the vote for the conservative agenda, while they pay their bills and buy their medicine with government checks.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Because undoubtedly a majority of that 64% is firmly attached to the goverment tit and drawing SS and medicare while they bemoan big government.

It's no secret that the retired and elderly make up a substantial portion of the ultra conservative republican base and are the staunchest opponents of big government and the most active in polling and getting out the vote for the conservative agenda, while they pay their bills and buy their medicine with government checks.

You mean that fund they were ordered to pay into and could not opt out of? Yeah it's completely irrational for them to want that.

 

[fskimospy]

You mean that fund they were ordered to pay into and could not opt out of? Yeah it's completely irrational for them to want that.

I am unaware of polling that shows the elderly support SS/Medicare/etc due to the fact that they would simply like their contributions returned to them. The polling that I have seen shows that they support the program as a whole.

Most Americans support these programs as a whole, even those not currently drawing benefits.