Republicans are now trusted more than Democrats on almost all major issues (including health care):
Overall, Republicans lead Democrats in terms of voter trust on eight out of 10 key issues for the second consecutive month, and the two are tied on one issue.
Republican candidates continue to hold a modest lead over Democrats for the seventh straight week in the Generic Congressional Ballot.
The GOP now holds a six-point lead on the top issue of the economy, an advantage that has changed little over the past four months.
Health care is not the only issue which the Republicans are enjoying a first-time lead. Voters now trust the GOP more than Democrats on the issue of education, 41% to 38%. This is also the first time in over two years the Republicans have held an advantage on that issue. Democrats led Republicans on education by three points in July and seven points in June.
Republicans lead Democrats on Social Security for the second straight month, this time by a 43% to 39% margin. Social Security is another issue where Democrats have enjoyed consistent leads in recent years.
The GOP maintains a strong 51% to 35% lead on taxes, after holding the same lead in July. Republicans have been trusted more by voters on the issue of taxes in every poll conducted since February.
Apparently, the fastest (and only) way to convince voters that the Democrats are terrible on the major issues is to put them in charge. Fortunately, it works. Let’s just try to minimize the damage until we can rectify the situation next November.
[Afternoon update]
Here’s another sign that the American people are coming to their senses:
With improvements in the economy and only a fraction of the stimulus money having been spent so far, most Americans — 72 percent — say returning the unused portion of the $787 billion dollar stimulus to taxpayers would do more to boost the economy than having the government spend it. Majorities of Democrats (59 percent), Republicans (87 percent) and independents (70 percent) think the money should be returned to taxpayers.
I have to say that I’m surprised that even the Democrats agree. I don’t think that the worst is over yet, but the “stimulus” is anything but, and will just contribute to the problem as long as it goes on.
Sadly I think most of the “trust” the Republicans are earning right now by standing in opposition of Obama will be quickly squandered once the Democrats are voted out of office.
If America trusts Republicans at all it’s merely in a “less stupid than the Democrats” sense. They haven’t really done much to deserve it.
If America trusts Republicans at all it’s merely in a “less stupid than the Democrats” sense. They haven’t really done much to deserve it.
This. The GOP is devoid of leadership and principle. …and to think the Dems are blaming them for the town-hall squabbles! lulz.
Consider what those numbers would look like if the Stupid Party were actually trying to do things to gain the voters trust. Or there were people in the Stupid Party actually trying to organize and lead an opposition.
Apparently, the fastest (and only) way to convince voters that the Democrats are terrible on the major issues is to put them in charge
The Dems, the party which in the past has been the party of slavery and segregation, has seamlessly evolved into a party organized by W.C.Fields’ three Laws:
You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man
Never Give a Sucker an Even Break
Never Smarten Up a Chump
Unfortunately, that sort of conman’s credo only works when someone else is in charge and can be blamed when the inevitable failures occur. Hence the desperate need for GOP “bipartisanship” on issues like this.
The problem, and it’s been out there for 15 years, even when the Republicans have the numbers, the right side of issues, and the power, they refuse to lead. Lead? Hell they don’t do anything. They will not, for reasons unknown, hammer the Democrats on anything, ever.
Here’s another such situation.
Instead of hammering the Dems to stay out of health care, to leave it alone altogether, they come up with their own goofy programs. You DON’T fight outright ignorance, with foolishness. Unless of course, your an elected Republican.
I’ve not heard one Republican sight the abject failure of the Porkulus Program. I’ve not heard one Republican point out that the Dems screamed about GWB / Cheney and letting big oil make gross profits, it’s the Dems who GAVE billions of tax dollars to banks and insurance companies. Even if the last administration allowed big oil to get bigger, it was legal profits, not handouts on the backs of taxpayers.
If the Libertarians would lose the drug legalization issue, they could make major in roads right now. But that one scares people. Even people who want a smaller gub’ment, with less power, are scared of drugs. I think they’re wrong but…
Steve, remember Napoleon’s rule: never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
I agree Paul, but Napolean didn’t go to his tent and hide during his campaigns during said mistakes. He used their mistakes to his (France’s) advantage.
If the Republicans where Russians, and the Dems were Napolean’s forces, the Republicans would be building them fires to get warm, and leaving a huge dinner cooked in every peasant cabin, all the way to Moscow (or in this case, DC).
I notice that we’re not hearing much from the trolls…
What is needed on capitol hill is a real health care reform proposal, based on proposals that will actually help, not a watered down version of socialist medicine. Of course whatever congressman makes such a proposal will be targeted with everything the democrats have. He’ll also have the support of every man who values liberty. I’ve heard several good proposals, each of which would be a good step if passed by itself`, but expect every last one of then to be rejected by the communists in DC.
The timing of a counter-attack is important in order to maximize it’s impact and influence on the final outcome.
However, I am growing of the opinion that both parties are really only serving the interests of the bankers and Wall Street. Look at Obama and you will see he’s filled up his whole administration practically with ex-Wall Street cronies.
This is why parties in general can detract from a republic. Instead of becoming some what knowledgeable of a candidate’s positions people generally just rally behind a banner.
I believe that a republic is a most valuable means of government, in that it offers the best balance between individual liberties and government action on “large” problems.
Regrettably, the citizens of a republic have to embrace a culture of integrity and responsibility.
The mass media (now hopefully dying) emphasized celebrity over substance — and that runs counter to the needs a republic has of its citizenry.
So… how does a nation grow a citizenry up to the responsibilities of a republic? Especially in a world largely hostile to republican government?
Yeah, both parties suck, which is a sufficient justification for limited government (though not the best). Meanwhile, the party that sucks by doing nothing, is preferable to the party that sucks by forcing everyone to suck along with it. Hence current events.
Or re-grow, since we used to have one. Now all we’ve got is a huge pendulum that appears to have swung so far to the left that its return swing will… who knows. I would think part of the answer would be stricter requirements on the teaching of history in K-12 education (more government?).
Good question, I’m at a loss.
So… how does a nation grow a citizenry up to the responsibilities of a republic? Especially in a world largely hostile to republican government?
I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s no collective solution to the problem of individual liberty. It is a battle hard-fought every day one person at a time. Your children, nieces, nephews etc., the ones closest to you, are the ones you can teach a love of freedom. The state sure as hell will not — they’re in the business of (surprise!) teaching obediance to the state.
Short of taking the Anglosphere back to its pre-feudal roots and starting over, making sure to learn the lessons of previous mistakes, I can’t think of a way.
Doesn’t mean there isn’t one, I’ll admit.
Now that the Republicans are winning on health care, they need to attack Medicare, the VA (except for those who are actually still in the military), and all other health care programs that are funded by taxpayers. This country is broke and can’t afford to pay for deadbeats and layabouts. Let charities take care of those who fall through the cracks.