The latest Gallup poll shows substantial skepticism about the stimulus package: although 75% of Americans want Congress to pass some sort of stimulus plan, only 38% support the current stimulus package. A nearly identical number, 37%, want major changes to the bill, and 17% outright reject it. Despite a desire by the left to make claims to the contrary, this sort of data demonstrates that American voters continue to view government spending and growth with concern and caution. A recent Rasmussen poll confirms this, indicating that for the first time a greater percentage oppose the plan than support it: 37% support the plan and 43% oppose it — and the support remains on a downward trend. Clearly, despite delivering incredible electoral victory to Democrats in 2008, voters have not undergone a massive ideological transformation, and the Democrats still do not have an outright mandate to expand government and spend more hard-earned taxpayer money.
Right-of-center organizations have responded in kind — for example, Americans for Prosperity launched NoStimulus.com, a website that encourages people to submit their own stories and contact their members of Congress in opposition to the stimulus bill. Voters have responded, with over 30,000 Americans signing AFP’s petition.
This is more evidence that despite our status in the majority, we must continue to fight against policies that don’t represent the voters’ will. By continuing to offer clear alternatives in these situations, we can position ourselves for a comeback in 2010.
Update: Real Clear Politics takes note of the fading support for the stimulus.
Last 5 posts by Aaron Marks
- Onward and Upward: Building a Sustainable Majority - January 22nd, 2010
- Dear Young Voters: This Is What You Get When You Don't Vote - December 1st, 2009
- The Youth Vote and the 2009 Elections - November 6th, 2009
- The Best of the Post-2009 Election Spin - November 5th, 2009
- Introducing NextGenGOP Executive Director James Kane - October 20th, 2009
The fact 75% of Americans actually think the Government can submit a plan that will positively stimulate the economy is a bit worrisome all by itself. I’d argue for members of Congress to dive into the intellectual battle against the “stimulus” based on the fact that governments cannot positively stimulate economies. One thing Republicans can do, besides advocating tax cuts, is also advocate massive spending cuts. It does no good to advocate tax cuts if the Dems also increase spending, because then the spending is based on a greater amount of debt, which will cause more harm than good. Of course tax cuts and spending cuts are not stimulative, they are just less burdensome, which would be a nice step towards a reduction in Federal intervention.
Funny, this is the same GOP that had no problem with 1.3 TRILLION in tax cuts while spending out the roof. And the same GOP that had no problem with giving 700 BILLION to Wall Street and then defends Wall Street when execs walk away with 18 BILLION in bonuses.
Tell me, what planet is the GOP living on?
Any kind of stimulus creates jobs and floods the market with money that can move.
The GOP proposition that tax cuts and tax cuts alone do the job led us to this mess in the first place. Libertynow proves my point:
“It does no good to advocate tax cuts if the Dems also increase spending, because then the spending is based on a greater amount of debt, which will cause more harm than good.”
This is EXACTLY what the GOP controlled congress did between 2001 and 2007. Where was your criticism then? When the military budget ballooned to 450 BILLION while roads and schools are crumbling, where was your criticism then?
If you are really serious about your party surviving the next 20 years, then rethink the stimulus logic. What you are saying makes no sense.
And the 10s of millions of americans who are going to lose everything will notice this as well.
If you want your party to remain a national party instead of becoming a regional party, re-think this all
Thank you Im glad you said that and it just seems that the GOP is on crack right now and Boehner is their leader. They didnt ‘care about the american people when bailing out wall street.
Bonncaruso, your statement that, ‘The GOP proposition that tax cuts and tax cuts alone do the job led us to this mess in the first place’, is complete and utter nonsense. Cutting income taxes does not trigger a Fed created buddle. The two things are completely orthogonal to each other. Peddling this economic ignorance stifles sound discussion, as well as damages your credibility.
What is the GOP’s stimulus plan? Tax cuts! I would like to hear it because all I have heard and seen are people from the GOP talk about how they really care about the American people blah blah and then criticize a stimulus package that one member of congress admitted she did not read because it was too long and she does not have to read to know she is against it .
If I were obama I would screw bipartisanship crap, he was elected to serve the people not congress.If republicans have something useful to contribute .. go ahead and speak if not, shut up and stop hold up progress
If people think that republicans are the ones that are holding up funding for jobs and schools , they will be the one behind the 8 ball in 2012. I think that the GOP doesnt want this program to work thinking that it will work for them politically. But they better hope it works for their existence too