59% Agree With Ronald Reagan—Government Is The Problem (Rasmussen)

[davepc]

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/59_agree_with_ronald_reagan_government_is_the_problem

In his first inaugural address, President Ronald Reagan delivered a line succinctly capturing the sentiment that elected him: “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”

A generation later, that attitude still resonates with a solid majority of Americans. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of voters agree with Reagan, and just 28% disagree.

Support is found across a wide range of political and demographic groups. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of men agree with Reagan, as do 52% of women. A majority of voters in all age and income groups agree.

The only demographic group to disagree with Reagan’s statement are those who identify themselves as politically liberal. Just 35% of liberals agree that government is the problem, but 46% disagree. Moderates embrace the Reagan view by a 61% to 25% margin, and conservatives are even more enthusiastic.

Republicans overwhelming embrace Reagan’s view, and 55% of unaffiliated voters agree as well. Democrats are a bit less enthusiastic, but 49% agree with Reagan while 34% disagree.

I think goverment that start illegal wars of occupation is the problem.
I think goverment that tramples on rights of individuals is the problem.
I think goverment that recklessly cuts taxes and increases spending is the problem.
I think goverment that tells me who I can and can not marry is a problem.
I think goverment that tells a woman what to do with her body is a problem.
I think goverment that reacts slowly and ineffectually to natural disasters is a problem.
I think goverment that lets people go hungry is a problem.
I think goverment that lets disease and illness destroy lives and life savings is a problem.
I think goverment that supports sending jobs overseas is a problem.
I think goverment that lets corporations exploit and steal and manipulate markets is a problem.

So, count me in that 60% of people who think that goverment is the problem.

[jtrockville]

1. If government is the problem, why did they all come running

with their hand out for a solution?

WHY?

[2speak]

2. It was the lack of government

that caused this problem and the free market to make it happen. Period.

[Kurovski]

3. Are they all sleepwalking, or what the fuck else is it?

A Government OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE.

SURPRISE! Reagan thought YOU were the problem, folks. And Bushco and McCain enterprises agree.

[Super62]

4. Fuck Reagan

Trickle down economics is the lipstick on this pig of a fucking economy, Fuck Reagan and Fuck the people who loved him.

[OwnedByFerrets]

5. Thank you and welcome.

[Larkspur]

6. Government is the problem when Republicans run it

Republicans make sure government only works for the chosen few, not for everyone.

[last_texas_dem]

8. Of course

How better for the Repugs to win elections on anti-government platforms than by running the government into the ground when they have the power to?

[last_texas_dem]

7. I would think polling on this sort of question is always going to be problematic

as you are going to get a substantial number of respondents, from both political parties and spanning the ideological spectrum, who aren't going to respond based on their personal philosophy about government's role but are going to base where they stand on this question upon how they feel about the current presidential administration and Congress. Additionally, it is an American tradition to "talk the talk" when it comes to being anti-government but then supporting the government doing all sorts of things in practice. How better to explain guys like Raygun and Dubya- who came into office spouting off anti-government talking points but spent like crazy and expanded government power as presidents?

[dkofos]

9. Government run by repubes and dlc dems is the problem.

[RaleighNCDUer]

10. Government is not the problem.

THIS government is the problem.

[mckara]

11. Neoliberalism Has Completely Failure

It's our job to inform right-wingers that government is their friend.

As Hadrian told his people building the Roman Empire, "Brick by brick, my citizens, brick by brick."

We can say, "moron by moron, fellow DUers, moron by moron."

Or should we say, "moran by moran, fellow DUers, moran by moran"?

[Beausoleil]

12. Misuse of government is the problem. n/t

[radfringe]

13. good - then let's overthrow the government and go directly into anarchy..n/t

[2speak]

15. Amazing

how you can make a statement like that when our forefathers did that exact same thing. Who are you?

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

14. The Republicans hate government and their task was to destroy it.

Mission Accomplished.