We can’t control what others do and we can’t stop misfortune from striking. But we can control our own actions. Those who are financially prudent will most likely enjoy success, even if events don’t always go their way.
I don’t know how accurate this survey is, but if it does represent the views of a significant segment of Americans, we are in big trouble.
These opinions demonstrate a lack of knowledge, a lack of appreciation of how many things are linked and a scary lack of understanding of human nature.
Work things out, control their own retirement? Surely you jest. Even with all the government programs and tax breaks, Americans don’t do that.
Following are a few excerpts from the survey
A new national telephone and online survey by Rasmussen Reports and the Woodford Foundation finds that 64% of Likely U.S. voters favor ending “corporate welfare,” and believe government should not give handouts to businesses. Only 20% disagree, while another 16% are not sure. These findings have changed only slightly since September 2022. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
There is almost no partisan difference on this issue. Sixty-five percent (63%) of Republicans support ending “corporate welfare,” as do 64% of both Democrats and voters not affiliated with either major party.
A solid majority (57%) of voters also agree that taxes and government spending should be cut 50% or more. Thirty-two percent (31%) disagree and 12% are not sure. More Republicans (72%) than Democrats (46%) or unaffiliated voters (54%) favor such a proposal.
The survey of 1,178 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on January 17, 2024 by Rasmussen Reports and The Woodford Foundation.
Among other findings of the Rasmussen Reports/Woodford Foundation survey:
– A plurality (46%) think Obamacare should be repealed, while 42% disagree and 12% are not sure. Sixty-six percent (66%) of Republicans, 30% of Democrats and 42% of unaffiliated voters favor repealing Obamacare.
– Fifty-two percent (52%) of voters believe government should do much less, and allow people to work things out voluntarily among themselves.
– Forty-four percent (44%) believe people should be able to control their own retirement and Social Security should be privatized.
Good to see that Americans haven’t changed much over the past 70+ years:
(1) When it came to the Vietnam era, all my peers didn’t support the draft, but, less than 10 years later, I was always surprised by the super majority of those who avoided service once the volunteer army was created in 1973, who supported President Carter’s decision to restart draft registration,
(2) When it came to Health Reform, Americans want the best coverage YOUR money will buy.
(3) When it comes to taxes, Americans continue to assert: “Don’t tax you, don’t tax me, tax that guy behind the tree”, or “the best tax is the one I owe and YOU pay!”
(4) When it comes to entitlements, like Social Security and Medicare, most failed to fully fund the benefits they themselves will receive – allowing (encouraging) Congress to promise more than they are willing to tax, and to ensure those taxes are shouldered by other taxpayers, especially those future taxpayers who today are too young to vote and generations yet unborn. Yet, they will assert “I earned that”.
(5) When it comes to everyday wealth transfers, they will assert America is rich enough so that “we” can afford to guarantee everyone a “basic income” – whether they work or not.
These are the same idiots who want student loan forgiveness (transfer), Medicare For All, etc.
Dick, time for you to move along when it comes to crap like this. Or, if you insist, feel free to copy and paste the above response everytime.
Can’t agree on Medicare. After decades looking for a better solutions, I am convinced that a form of Medicare covering everyone is the only viable option assuming one goal is universal coverage and another is fairer cost sharing.
Medicare Part A, Hospital Insurance ≠ Universal Coverage. Everyone who is ultimately covered doesn’t have to contribute FICA-Med. And, those reaching age 65 from now until 2049 can still get non-contributory Medicare Part A coverage for the rest of their lives, and the life of a spouse, by paying less than $200 over a period of 40 quarters (plus another $200 paid by the employer).
Medicare Part B & Part D, Provider and Rx ≠ Only a minority of Americans shoulder the majority of the cost. Funded primarily with general revenues, only about half of Americans add money in the form of income taxes which is the majority of general revenues.
One reason why we are running $2 Trillion a year in annual deficits is because we aren’t taxing Americans enough to properly pay for the 150+ MM Americans who receive taxpayer funded/subsidized health coverage.
So, no, I don’t have a problem with universal coverage where everyone contributes based on the anticipated cost of coverage (that’s expected cost, not actual claims experience a la self-insured, which would vary substantially from year to year).
But, I am 100% certain that the vast majority of Americans define universal to mean someone else should pay – I shouldn’t have any out of pocket, that health treatment is an entitlement.
And, I am 100% certain that the vast majority of Americans don’t believe they should pay for their own cost of coverage. Instead, Americans want someone else to pay. That’s what they think is fair. Just like the Obamacare idiots who arbitrarily define “affordable” as 10% of Modified Adjusted Gross Income.
Prior to Health Reform, it wasn’t a surprise to me when I was told, as part of a series of focus groups, that Americans want the best coverage YOUR money will buy.
So, you may believe universal coverage with fair pricing is the right answer. However, most Americans likely don’t agree with your definition of “universal”, nor your definition of “fair”.
Everyone is a Libertarian until they have a fire or a break-in….it is a nice fantasy that everyone should just be self sufficient, but the reason our society has advanced so far is based on trust and looking out for others.
I never believe in the accuracy of what people will say on a telephone or online survey. There may be some percentage that believe what was asked and how it was asked, but with a long series of yes or no questions about various topics, you don’t get reality.
The great philosopher Mike Tyson: “everyone has a plan until they smacked in the face.” That survey is all talk and no walk–like the sanctuary folks once you call their bluff they change their tune–once they see how they are effected by the programs that would change these folks will be clamoring to return what they thought they wanted eliminated. .
Basically, for many, it is a lack of education as well as ignorance about issues. Remember; “de-fund the police”? It worked as many of us expected (poor black/brown the major victims) and now the same group claim they never said it or meant it, and by the way; “we need to hire more cops.”
Al, I am glad to hear you say that. Defund the Police was stupid. And now that it is dead, I hope we can count on your vote against the MAGA extremists who have already cut or blocked law enforcement funding across all levels (local police, Border Patrol, FBI, IRS, etc) , and that continually attack our judges and legal system. It undermines the stable law and order environment that helped make this country great.
Didn’t know the left was in favor of increased funding for any law enforcement agencies–how did they go from burning cities to increasing funding for cops–remember those pictures of the lefties burning police vehicles in cities like Philadelphia–and NYC–ambushing 5 cops in Dallas–shooting and killing a cop in Atlanta as they protested the building a police academy–local prosecutors dropping charges against folks who commit certain crimes–one thing the left is noted for is being soft on crime–the criminal seems to be more important than the victim–didn’t those who just attacked two cops in NYC escape bail and hopped on a bus to the west coast?
Ever heard of Lois Lerner of the Obama IRS (take time to look her up)–what about FBI agent Peter Strzok who said he could smell Trump voters at the Wal-Mart–that residents of one VA county were ignorant hillbillys–Robert Mueller had to remove him from his investigation of Trump for obvious reasons.
That’s right the lefties are now for law and order–pro police–advocates for Border Patrol agents unless you thought they were whipping migrants from their horses–totally exonerated but not before the left ,including Slow Joe, trashed them for this supposed transgression.
Lefties for law and order an oxymoron if I ever heard one.
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
Good to see that Americans haven’t changed much over the past 70+ years:
(1) When it came to the Vietnam era, all my peers didn’t support the draft, but, less than 10 years later, I was always surprised by the super majority of those who avoided service once the volunteer army was created in 1973, who supported President Carter’s decision to restart draft registration,
(2) When it came to Health Reform, Americans want the best coverage YOUR money will buy.
(3) When it comes to taxes, Americans continue to assert: “Don’t tax you, don’t tax me, tax that guy behind the tree”, or “the best tax is the one I owe and YOU pay!”
(4) When it comes to entitlements, like Social Security and Medicare, most failed to fully fund the benefits they themselves will receive – allowing (encouraging) Congress to promise more than they are willing to tax, and to ensure those taxes are shouldered by other taxpayers, especially those future taxpayers who today are too young to vote and generations yet unborn. Yet, they will assert “I earned that”.
(5) When it comes to everyday wealth transfers, they will assert America is rich enough so that “we” can afford to guarantee everyone a “basic income” – whether they work or not.
These are the same idiots who want student loan forgiveness (transfer), Medicare For All, etc.
Dick, time for you to move along when it comes to crap like this. Or, if you insist, feel free to copy and paste the above response everytime.
LikeLike
Can’t agree on Medicare. After decades looking for a better solutions, I am convinced that a form of Medicare covering everyone is the only viable option assuming one goal is universal coverage and another is fairer cost sharing.
LikeLike
Medicare Part A, Hospital Insurance ≠ Universal Coverage. Everyone who is ultimately covered doesn’t have to contribute FICA-Med. And, those reaching age 65 from now until 2049 can still get non-contributory Medicare Part A coverage for the rest of their lives, and the life of a spouse, by paying less than $200 over a period of 40 quarters (plus another $200 paid by the employer).
Medicare Part B & Part D, Provider and Rx ≠ Only a minority of Americans shoulder the majority of the cost. Funded primarily with general revenues, only about half of Americans add money in the form of income taxes which is the majority of general revenues.
One reason why we are running $2 Trillion a year in annual deficits is because we aren’t taxing Americans enough to properly pay for the 150+ MM Americans who receive taxpayer funded/subsidized health coverage.
So, no, I don’t have a problem with universal coverage where everyone contributes based on the anticipated cost of coverage (that’s expected cost, not actual claims experience a la self-insured, which would vary substantially from year to year).
But, I am 100% certain that the vast majority of Americans define universal to mean someone else should pay – I shouldn’t have any out of pocket, that health treatment is an entitlement.
And, I am 100% certain that the vast majority of Americans don’t believe they should pay for their own cost of coverage. Instead, Americans want someone else to pay. That’s what they think is fair. Just like the Obamacare idiots who arbitrarily define “affordable” as 10% of Modified Adjusted Gross Income.
Prior to Health Reform, it wasn’t a surprise to me when I was told, as part of a series of focus groups, that Americans want the best coverage YOUR money will buy.
So, you may believe universal coverage with fair pricing is the right answer. However, most Americans likely don’t agree with your definition of “universal”, nor your definition of “fair”.
Best to you, Jack
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Everyone is a Libertarian until they have a fire or a break-in….it is a nice fantasy that everyone should just be self sufficient, but the reason our society has advanced so far is based on trust and looking out for others.
LikeLike
I never believe in the accuracy of what people will say on a telephone or online survey. There may be some percentage that believe what was asked and how it was asked, but with a long series of yes or no questions about various topics, you don’t get reality.
LikeLike
I don’t know why you are surprised. The mis-information from both sides of the media in this country. Who should you trust and believe?
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The great philosopher Mike Tyson: “everyone has a plan until they smacked in the face.” That survey is all talk and no walk–like the sanctuary folks once you call their bluff they change their tune–once they see how they are effected by the programs that would change these folks will be clamoring to return what they thought they wanted eliminated. .
Basically, for many, it is a lack of education as well as ignorance about issues. Remember; “de-fund the police”? It worked as many of us expected (poor black/brown the major victims) and now the same group claim they never said it or meant it, and by the way; “we need to hire more cops.”
LikeLike
Al, I am glad to hear you say that. Defund the Police was stupid. And now that it is dead, I hope we can count on your vote against the MAGA extremists who have already cut or blocked law enforcement funding across all levels (local police, Border Patrol, FBI, IRS, etc) , and that continually attack our judges and legal system. It undermines the stable law and order environment that helped make this country great.
LikeLike
Didn’t know the left was in favor of increased funding for any law enforcement agencies–how did they go from burning cities to increasing funding for cops–remember those pictures of the lefties burning police vehicles in cities like Philadelphia–and NYC–ambushing 5 cops in Dallas–shooting and killing a cop in Atlanta as they protested the building a police academy–local prosecutors dropping charges against folks who commit certain crimes–one thing the left is noted for is being soft on crime–the criminal seems to be more important than the victim–didn’t those who just attacked two cops in NYC escape bail and hopped on a bus to the west coast?
Ever heard of Lois Lerner of the Obama IRS (take time to look her up)–what about FBI agent Peter Strzok who said he could smell Trump voters at the Wal-Mart–that residents of one VA county were ignorant hillbillys–Robert Mueller had to remove him from his investigation of Trump for obvious reasons.
That’s right the lefties are now for law and order–pro police–advocates for Border Patrol agents unless you thought they were whipping migrants from their horses–totally exonerated but not before the left ,including Slow Joe, trashed them for this supposed transgression.
Lefties for law and order an oxymoron if I ever heard one.
LikeLike