ok folks, read the rass. blog and tell us what you think. has America jumped the shark?

Dave
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National pollster Scott Rasmussen has a new survey out which indicates that 47% of respondents feel that “America’s best days have come and gone.” In contrast, only 39% of respondents feel that “the nation’s best days are still to come.”

With results like that, it’s no wonder that special elections are being won by the Democrats and the outlook for November is not good at all. People are looking for “change,” but a closer look at Rasmussen’s results shows that “change” may not exactly be what the media portray it to be.

In addition to asking survey respondents about the general state of America, Rasmussen also asked a number of questions to get a general feel of where people stood on the issues.

The national telephone survey found that 62% of voters “would prefer fewer government services with lower taxes.” Only 29% favor “bigger government with higher taxes.” So, despite the calls from the media and liberals to come up with a government solution for everything (global warming, price controls, and on and on), the majority of American’s do not believe in this approach.

In addition, 75% of voters “think people who move to America from other countries should adopt the nation’s culture.” Only 13% of respondents think people who move to America “should maintain their home country’s culture.” Once again, the media and liberals believe one thing, and the American people believe something else. While left-leaning elitists are calling out to “celebrate diversity,” the American people are shouting, “Embrace America!”

This sounds alarmingly similar to the ongoing battle between the American people and our elected leaders over illegal immigration. The American people have spoken loudly on issues such as amnesty and a border fence. We have voiced our support for protecting America’s borders and NOT rewarding illegal activity with amnesty. Yet, the politicians just don’t care.

Herein lies the problem for Republicans. We are being told that America wants “change.” In reality, America wants what it was promised. Is that so hard for Washington (especially Republicans) to understand? America is a right-of-center country. We moved away from the huge tax rates of the mid-twentieth century in favor of lower taxes for all. We moved away from big-government programs like life-long welfare and demanded self-reliance. We wanted a balanced budget instead of yearly over-drafts.

So, the American people made their move and started electing more and more Republicans to get the job done. Tax rates were lowered, budgets were balanced, welfare was reformed, and the American people were happy. But, the Republicans in Washington lost track of want the American people wanted and started acting like every other politician. As seen in the Rasmussen survey, America wants smaller government.... so… the Republicans gave them bigger government. America wants less spending.... Republicans gave them more spending. America wants American culture preserved and our borders protected. Republicans tried to give us amnesty legislation and continue to pander to ethnic groups rather than simply supporting conservative principles that benefit all Americans.

Is it any wonder that Americans want “change?” Americans want a right-of-center government, and after three special election losses to the Democrats, it is clear that the have lost faith in Republicans. This is tragic, but what is scary is that in the absence of real leadership, Americans will turn to the Democrats thinking the liberals will give them conservative government.

America’s best days are not behind us. We remain a conservative country, but one that is also in search of conservative leadership. Rather than trying to sound like Democrats with programs for each and every ethnicity and demographic group, Republicans simply need to return to conservative principles to win. The American people haven’t changed.

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Interesting. My comments:

First, I’d like to see how the questions were phrased. That’s a lot more important a factor than people think it is.

Second:

bavarialand - 21 May 2008 10:20 AM

The national telephone survey found that 62% of voters “would prefer fewer government services with lower taxes.” Only 29% favor “bigger government with higher taxes.” So, despite the calls from the media and liberals to come up with a government solution for everything (global warming, price controls, and on and on), the majority of American’s do not believe in this approach.

Yet this is precisely the approach used by both major political parties. Oh, the GOP uses the rhetoric of less government, but the reality is they’re the same as the Dems.

bavarialand - 21 May 2008 10:20 AM

In addition, 75% of voters “think people who move to America from other countries should adopt the nation’s culture.” Only 13% of respondents think people who move to America “should maintain their home country’s culture.” Once again, the media and liberals believe one thing, and the American people believe something else. While left-leaning elitists are calling out to “celebrate diversity,” the American people are shouting, “Embrace America!”

Oh, I can see the majority agreeing with this concept. But I don’t think “the media and liberals believe one thing...”. I believe the reality is the number of immigrants wanting to “maintain their home country’s culture” is quite small.

bavarialand - 21 May 2008 10:20 AM

This sounds alarmingly similar to the ongoing battle between the American people and our elected leaders over illegal immigration. The American people have spoken loudly on issues such as amnesty and a border fence. We have voiced our support for protecting America’s borders and NOT rewarding illegal activity with amnesty. Yet, the politicians just don’t care.

I haven’t seen any surveys showing a majority of Americans want a border fence (especially if they have to pay for it). Don’t know about amnesty either.

bavarialand - 21 May 2008 10:20 AM

Herein lies the problem for Republicans. We are being told that America wants “change.” In reality, America wants what it was promised. Is that so hard for Washington (especially Republicans) to understand? America is a right-of-center country. We moved away from the huge tax rates of the mid-twentieth century in favor of lower taxes for all. We moved away from big-government programs like life-long welfare and demanded self-reliance. We wanted a balanced budget instead of yearly over-drafts.

Yes, we wanted a balanced budget—and that was achieved under a Democratic president ironically. The “party of smaller government” is nothing of the sort.

bavarialand - 21 May 2008 10:20 AM

So, the American people made their move and started electing more and more Republicans to get the job done. Tax rates were lowered, budgets were balanced, welfare was reformed, and the American people were happy. But, the Republicans in Washington lost track of want the American people wanted and started acting like every other politician. As seen in the Rasmussen survey, America wants smaller government.... so… the Republicans gave them bigger government. America wants less spending.... Republicans gave them more spending. America wants American culture preserved and our borders protected. Republicans tried to give us amnesty legislation and continue to pander to ethnic groups rather than simply supporting conservative principles that benefit all Americans.

Precisely.

bavarialand - 21 May 2008 10:20 AM

Is it any wonder that Americans want “change?” Americans want a right-of-center government, and after three special election losses to the Democrats, it is clear that the have lost faith in Republicans. This is tragic, but what is scary is that in the absence of real leadership, Americans will turn to the Democrats thinking the liberals will give them conservative government.

I’m not so sure that Americans want “right-of-center government”, whatever that really means. The Democrats appear poised to increase their majorities in both the House and Senate.

bavarialand - 21 May 2008 10:20 AM

America’s best days are not behind us. We remain a conservative country, but one that is also in search of conservative leadership. Rather than trying to sound like Democrats with programs for each and every ethnicity and demographic group, Republicans simply need to return to conservative principles to win. The American people haven’t changed.

Depends on how one defines “best”. Were the “old days” really better? The American people have changed—the demographics continue to change, and the politicians have to recognize this and understand the people they represent.

If Republicans keep power in this election cycle - we might as well just hang it up.  They took the US to the brink of disaster.  It is Bush’s fault.

hockeyray - 21 May 2008 05:36 PM

If Republicans keep power in this election cycle - we might as well just hang it up. They took the US to the brink of disaster. It is Bush’s fault.

I see Hockeypuck’s record player is still stuck on the same track. “All we need is to tax the rich out of existence and give more to the likes of him to damn lazy to do for himself and all will be well, Long live the socialist republic, long live Chevez” Of course he doesnt say who to go after after the rich are all gone does he.

Yeah right.

Americas best days are a head of her if she can get off her backside and start doing for herself again instead of depending on everyone else. And that means starting to teach our kids this is the greatest place in the world not the source of all evil, that hard labor doesnt kill anyone,and that no one can manufacuter anything better than we can. To those that believe otherwise I say place a millstone around your neck and please take one step off the skyway, or get on an airplane or a slow boat and go where you think its better.

America’s best days could be ahead of us.  We just need to fix a few small problems:

1.  Cut our energy dependence.  We need to have a energy policy that allows us to provide for ourselves.  All forms of energy production need to be included.

2.  Secure the borders, and remove or cause to remove illegal immigrants.  Reform immigration laws to allow easier LEGAL immigration. 

3.  Legalize pot, and tax the crap out of it. 

4.  Reduce federal income tax, increase social security tax, start giving young workers personal investment options.

5.  Extend the drug patent, require lower consumer costs.  Give the drug companies longer time to recoup costs, but at a lower rate.

6.  Remove earmarks.  Biggest boondoogle ever. 

7.  Resolve the Irag situation.  Time for baby to walk.  Either the Iraqi people will have freedom or they wont.  It’s time for us to exit the field as an occupying force (two year phase out).

8.  Resolve the Palestine problem.  It’s been sixty years.  Without this solution, there will not be any peace in the Middle East.  While I acknowledge Israel’s right to exist, I also acknowledge the right of the Palestinian people to exist.  Israel has been particularly bloody in the last twenty years.  Time for the chain to be broken.

9.  Open season on lobbyists.  No bag limit. 

10.  Britney Spears and her non-forking family tree are exiled to Romania.

Dave say Thank You to Bobby Eberle!

cavedog - 21 May 2008 10:59 PM

America’s best days could be ahead of us.  We just need to fix a few small problems:

1.  Cut our energy dependence.  We need to have a energy policy that allows us to provide for ourselves.  All forms of energy production need to be included.

2.  Secure the borders, and remove or cause to remove illegal immigrants.  Reform immigration laws to allow easier LEGAL immigration. 

3.  Legalize pot, and tax the crap out of it. 

4.  Reduce federal income tax, increase social security tax, start giving young workers personal investment options.

5.  Extend the drug patent, require lower consumer costs.  Give the drug companies longer time to recoup costs, but at a lower rate.

6.  Remove earmarks.  Biggest boondoogle ever. 

7.  Resolve the Irag situation.  Time for baby to walk.  Either the Iraqi people will have freedom or they wont.  It’s time for us to exit the field as an occupying force (two year phase out).

8.  Resolve the Palestine problem.  It’s been sixty years.  Without this solution, there will not be any peace in the Middle East.  While I acknowledge Israel’s right to exist, I also acknowledge the right of the Palestinian people to exist.  Israel has been particularly bloody in the last twenty years.  Time for the chain to be broken.

9.  Open season on lobbyists.  No bag limit. 

10.  Britney Spears and her non-forking family tree are exiled to Romania.

I agree with most of these.

1. We need to get serious about an alternative to the internal combustion engine. You’d think we’d have come up with it by now.

2. Illegal immigration can be stemmed by tougher laws on companies that use these people.

3. Absolutely.

4. Yes and no.

5. Better yet, come up with a way that people get critical medication for no cost.

6. Could help fund universal health care.

7. Agree. At the rate it’s going, it’ll last as long as the Vietnam War (and have the same result).

8. Right, it’s still there, and Bush has done nothing whatsoever to help it. Carving out a Jewish homeland in Palestine after WWII doesn’t seem, in retrospect, like such a good idea.

9. Lobbyists started under Lincoln (it was during his tenure that the term was coined). He was a great believer in patronage.

10.

To get back to where we were we have to elect Democrats.  Agenda is as follows:

1.  Stop th War and recall all US Forces.
2.  End all Bush/Cheney/GOP tax cuts for Rich People and Corporations.
3.  Target Illegal Immigration by death penalty sanctions on Corporations hiring them and jail time for the officers of these Corporations.
4.  Pass National Universal Health Coverage.

A middle class will re-emerge and the middle working class was what set America apart from all other countries.  Republicans want to turn Middle Class America into India/Bangladesh.

The days when energy was cheap and life was simple enough to not need a lot of money to live are gone. We no longer make most of the products that we buy. Many good paying jobs have been lost. We are a debtor nation, dependent on other countries to supply us with products and having little to sell to them. We can’t grow out of our problems by adding more taxpayers because we are crowded now.

While the country might not be in the worst shape ever, we will never see as good of times as we have in the past.

think - 22 May 2008 07:28 PM

The days when energy was cheap and life was simple enough to not need a lot of money to live are gone. We no longer make most of the products that we buy. Many good paying jobs have been lost. We are a debtor nation, dependent on other countries to supply us with products and having little to sell to them. We can’t grow out of our problems by adding more taxpayers because we are crowded now.

While the country might not be in the worst shape ever, we will never see as good of times as we have in the past.

This is a very normal reaction.  “The good ol days”.  People tend to gloss over or forget the bad times of recent history, and focus on the good parts.  I remember the 60’s as a young boy.  I had a minibike, and I could fill up the gas tank for a dime.  Gas was 26.9 a gallon.  It was a grand old time.

But we also had Vietnam, three major political assassinations (JFK, RFK, MLK), social unrest, racial unrest, brush wars all over the globe, Cold War (duck and cover), etc etc.  And that’s just the things that I remember!

Good points.

From my seat, there’s never been a better time to live in the USA than today.  And I believe the future half century will be the best ever for the continent of North America, however the countries therein choose to meld.

cavedog - 22 May 2008 08:35 PM

I remember the 60’s as a young boy.  I had a minibike, and I could fill up the gas tank for a dime.  Gas was 26.9 a gallon.  It was a grand old time.

Back in the good times the Rich always paid a marginal TAX RATE ABOVE 50%.  Maybe some of you working class folks will begin to see the light if you want the good old days back.

No need for income tax rates above 50%

Just need to stop trying to fund mercenary forces of 150,000+ overseas.

If the Iraqis can pay for it in full, they can have as many of our military as they can hire.

I’ll take today’s America over any America I’ve lived in or know of. Sure we have issues with our current leadership in Washington, but we do have the ability to change it if we don’t get distracted in the voting booth. Politics is less of a rigged game today than it was in the past. The only thing keeping the average person from succeeding today is lack of initiative and belief in the list of constraints promoted by political ideologs.

cavedog - 21 May 2008 10:59 PM

America’s best days could be ahead of us.  We just need to fix a few small problems:

1.  Cut our energy dependence.  We need to have a energy policy that allows us to provide for ourselves.  All forms of energy production need to be included.

2.  Secure the borders, and remove or cause to remove illegal immigrants.  Reform immigration laws to allow easier LEGAL immigration. 

3.  Legalize pot, and tax the crap out of it. 

4.  Reduce federal income tax, increase social security tax, start giving young workers personal investment options.

5.  Extend the drug patent, require lower consumer costs.  Give the drug companies longer time to recoup costs, but at a lower rate.

6.  Remove earmarks.  Biggest boondoogle ever. 

7.  Resolve the Irag situation.  Time for baby to walk.  Either the Iraqi people will have freedom or they wont.  It’s time for us to exit the field as an occupying force (two year phase out).

8.  Resolve the Palestine problem.  It’s been sixty years.  Without this solution, there will not be any peace in the Middle East.  While I acknowledge Israel’s right to exist, I also acknowledge the right of the Palestinian people to exist.  Israel has been particularly bloody in the last twenty years.  Time for the chain to be broken.

9.  Open season on lobbyists.  No bag limit. 

10.  Britney Spears and her non-forking family tree are exiled to Romania.

ROFL - i knew Britney would be in there somewhere.
perfect, Dave

Stuka - 22 May 2008 05:09 AM

Dave say Thank You to Bobby Eberle!

thanks Bobby
Dave

ps; happy now?