69% Think Competition Between Health Insurers Better for Consumers Than More Government Regulation
Voters think less government red tape and more competition are the best ways to bring down health care costs.
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July 19, 2011
July 19, 2011
No New Pledges By Froma Harrop
Among the Republicans vying for their party's presidential nomination, only former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson had the self-respect to denounce the ludicrous "Marriage Vow" pledge. Such pledges are a means through which small interest groups can make candidates crawl. The intimidation comes from their highly engaged members, who can affect the outcome of unrepresentative political contests -- the upcoming Iowa caucuses being a good example.
July 19, 2011
Homer's 'Iliad' and the Federal Budget Debate By Cliff Ennico
Those trying to figure out the mood of the American voter right now are bound to be scratching their heads. Last November, the voters threw Republicans into Congress in almost record numbers with a mandate to slash government spending and keep taxes as low as possible.
July 19, 2011
75% See Middle Class Tax Hikes As Likely in Debt Ceiling Deal
When politicians talk about cutting government spending and raising taxes on the wealthy, voters are skeptical about the spending cuts and expect middle class taxes to go up, too.
July 19, 2011
A Good Debt-Ceiling Deal By Lawrence Kudlow
As uncertain and unruly and disheveled as the debt-ceiling debate may be, there are still good grounds to reach a deal. It could help the economy. It could keep the policy ball moving in the direction of smaller government. It could add a key business tax incentive for economic growth. And it could even stabilize the dollar.
July 18, 2011
Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 44%, Democrats 38%
For the second week in a row, Republicans hold a six-point lead over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot, this time for the week ending Sunday, July 17.
July 18, 2011
67% Believe Consumers Would Buy New Light Bulbs If They Work Even If Traditional Bulbs Are Still Available
The U.S. Department of Energy says that new light bulbs will cost more up front but save money in the long run. That, plus expected energy savings, has led to government regulations that will effectively ban the sale of traditional light bulbs starting next year.
July 18, 2011
48% Think Major Cuts in Defense Spending Won’t Put America At Risk
Nearly one-half of Americans now think the United States can make major cuts in defense spending without putting the country in danger. They believe even more strongly that there’s no risk in cutting way back on what America spends to defend other countries.
July 18, 2011
54% Favor Repeal of Health Care Law, 52% Say Law Will Increase Deficit
Most voters still favor repeal of the national health care law and believe it will increase the federal deficit at the very time President Obama and Congress are trying to find ways to make significant cuts in government spending.
July 18, 2011
What the Debt Limit Battle Is All About By Michael Barone
It's hard to keep up with all the arguments and proposals in the debt limit struggle. But what's at stake is fundamental.
July 18, 2011
66% Put Border Control Ahead of Legalizing Status of Those Here Illegally
Two-out-of-three (66%) Likely U.S. Voters think gaining control of the border is more important than legalizing the status of illegal immigrants already living in America when it comes to immigration reform policy.
July 17, 2011
Voters Rate Republicans in Congress More Partisan Than Congressional Democrats
Voters now see congressional Republicans as slightly more partisan than their Democratic counterparts and are more pessimistic about the overall level of partisanship in Washington, D.C. than they have been in nearly a year.
July 17, 2011
Not Cruel and Unusual, but Costly, Punishment By Debra J. Saunders
Democratic California state Sen. Loni Hancock is pushing legislation to end California's death penalty. "Capital punishment is an expensive failure and an example of the dysfunction of our prisons," she explained in a statement. "California's death row is the largest and most costly in the United States. It is not helping to protect our state; it is helping to bankrupt us."
July 16, 2011
57% Expect Higher Interest Rates Next Year
After dipping to a two-year low last month, the number of Americans who expect to pay higher interest rates next year has returned to levels found earlier in 2011.
July 16, 2011
What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls - Week Ending July 15, 2011
President Obama continues to insist that tax increases be part of any deal to raise the federal debt ceiling before he agrees to the level of spending cuts Republicans are seeking. But most voters don’t see it that way.
July 15, 2011
Obama Earns Positive Ratings From 38% On Economy, 51% On National Security
Voters continue to say President Obama is doing a better job on national security issues than economic issues, but his marks in both areas have improved slightly over the past several weeks.
July 15, 2011
29% Are Conservative on Fiscal and Social Issues, 10% Liberal on Both
Voters remain slightly more conservative when it comes to fiscal policy than they are on social issues, while 29% still say they are conservative in both areas.
July 15, 2011
67% Oppose Upcoming ‘Ban’ on Traditional Light Bulbs
One-in-five Americans (20%) say they or someone they know has bought large quantities of traditional light bulbs to use when those bulbs disappear off store shelves next year under new federal light bulb regulations.
July 15, 2011
Obama Losing Patience as Republicans Panic By Joe Conason
At long last, President Obama seems to have run out of patience with the truculent Republicans who have rejected all of his overtures for a budget deal -- just as Moody's and other economic authorities again warned of the potentially catastrophic consequences of a debt default.
July 15, 2011
Just 22% Now Expect Situation In Afghanistan To Improve
Voter optimism about U.S. involvement in Afghanistan has slipped back to levels measured before the killing of Osama bin Laden.
