House of Eratosthenes

A new Gallup poll shows that the number of people who believe government has its hand in too many areas of American life has reached its highest point in more than a decade.

The question asked by Gallup was, “Some people think the government is trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses. Others think that government should do more to solve our country’s problems. Which comes closer to your own view?” Fifty-seven percent of those surveyed say government is doing too much, while 38 percent say it should do more. Five percent are undecided.

The number of people who believe government is doing too much is up sharply from early March, when 47 percent said government was doing too much and 42 percent said it should do more.

The last time the number of people who believe government is doing too much hit 57 percent was in October 1994, shortly before voters threw Democrats out of power in both the House and Senate.

The last time the number of people who believe government is doing too much hit 57 percent was in October 1994, shortly before voters threw Democrats out of power in both the House and Senate.

I can’t decide if I should consider that hopeful, or not.

I mean yea maybe the Democrats have defined the upper limit on palatable government size for the American people, but imo that limit is awfully high. So again, hopeful or deflating?
- KG | 09/24/2009 @ 22:28
Fifty-seven percent of those surveyed say government is doing too much, while 38 percent say it should do more.

I’d like to talk for a few minutes with a member of that 38 percent. I’d have two questions:

1) “What kind of drugs are you on?”
2) “Where can I get some?”
- cylarz | 09/24/2009 @ 23:09
I’m just kidding about question #2 of course. But seriously….how warped does your view of reality have to be to think that our overbearing federal government is still too small and not influential enough? That we need yet more laws, more “oversight,” more regulation, more politicians and bureaucrats making decisions for us? From my perspective, a person would have to be crazy to think that.

As so many have said, many of the problems that capitalism appears to have, actually stem from a dearth of freedom, not a surplus of it.
- cylarz | 09/24/2009 @ 23:12
Re:38%ers.

You have to be out of touch with the real world.

You have to have been taken care of all your life, and you have to have an expectation that you have a “right” to be “taken care of”.

And you have to believe that it doesn’t come at a cost to you.
- philmon | 09/25/2009 @ 05:49
To a certain extent I’m more concerned about the 5% who are undecided. Geez, make up your freakin’ mind already.

I can have more respect to those I disagree with than those who have no opinion. At least be engaged ya’ ninnies.
- tim | 09/25/2009 @ 06:53
I think I’m one of the ninnes. And you can take it to the bank that when I’m hanging up the phone on that pollster, I am quite engaged.

There’s something about phone calls from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Shushman is not amused.
- mkfreeberg | 09/25/2009 @ 06:59
I think one thing that bothers me about those 38%’ers is this.

There are so many countries like that already – that are more than happy to manage every facet of your lives for you. Just put on that gray uniform, report to work at factory #12 in the morning, obey the guards, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.

Or if that’s too extreme, there are still dozens of others with cradle-to-grave healthcare, and otherwise already neck-deep in socialism, with the high taxes and dumbed-down society to match. Whose denizens actually believe that their way is superior to us savages. Wouldn’t it be so much simpler to relocate to someplace like that, rather than spending a lifetime complaining and trying to “reform” about this one?

So many places like that already. Why does the Left have to ruin this one, trying to reinvent it with their socialist claptrap, when millions and millions and millions of us like it more-or-less the way it already is? I just want these people to go away and leave me alone. I want them to take their stupid utopian crusades and get the hell out. Honestly, where the hell would a libertarian or conservative go if he felt the United States was no longer respectful enough of freedom and individual rights? Estonia perhaps?
- cylarz | 09/25/2009 @ 08:24
An example. My cousin recently moved his family to Switzerland, one of many countries that already have socialized medicine. His wife is one of these left-wing busybodies who are among that 38%, and might I add, hopelessly naive. I’ve engaged and utterly destroyed her in debate before, but have resisted the temptation to do so on this topic because my cousin is like a brother to me and I don’t want discord in the family.

Nonetheless, it is with some disgust that I noted she isn’t simply content to stay in Switzerland and raise her children there if she believe the Euro-weenie way is better, even though she could remain over there indefinitely as long as there is work. No. She wants to bring the Swiss/European healthcare system and ways of thinking home with her, when the family inevitably returns to the USA in a few years.
- cylarz | 09/25/2009 @ 08:29
[…] Majority Believe the Government is Doing Too Much The question asked by Gallup was, “Some people think the government is trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses. Others think that government should do more to solve our country’s problems. Which comes closer to your own view?” Fifty-seven percent of those surveyed say government is doing too much, while 38 percent say it should do more. Five percent are undecided. […]
- Around the (Conservative) World in Another Blog Post | 09/25/2009 @ 08:40
His wife is one of these left-wing busybodies who are among that 38%, and might I add, hopelessly naive. I’ve engaged and utterly destroyed her in debate before, but have resisted the temptation to do so on this topic because my cousin is like a brother to me and I don’t want discord in the family.

One thing I’ve had good fortune in using, when I’m inclined to avoid discord — an inclination that doesn’t last very long, sadly, and I’m trying to improve on this — is the “give ’em rope” ploy. Your cousin-in-law seems to be part of a very large segment of humanity, Terrace #1, that desires to showcase an Atticus Finch level of comprehension about what’s right vs. what’s wrong. I’ve noticed a lot of these people drone on at length about the “musts” and the “shoulds,” not quite so much to get the word out, but to try to surgically implant a skeleton into something that currently lacks form and substance. They don’t really want to convince you their way is right, they just want a sounding board.

My method has been one of simply faking interest — and I find this fascinating, so there’s really no faking to be done. But just keep asking them leading questions so they can prattle on some more. It’s what they want. But like the dog chasing the car, once they get it they very often don’t know what to do. “Interesting…well, we need food too. Shouldn’t people have a right to that as well?” Not like you’re attacking them, but like you really, seriously do think an argument can be made that people should get free food, and you can’t wait to hear it. Spotlight swivels back to them…and…well, now they’ve got a decision to make. Then you just keep going. House. Job. Car. People die just a little bit if they go too long without entertainment, so maybe they have a right to free entertainment. What say you, Mister Morally Conscious Social-Welfare Dude?

Great fun.
- mkfreeberg | 09/25/2009 @ 09:28
“I think I’m one of the ninnes. And you can take it to the bank that when I’m hanging up the phone on that pollster, I am quite engaged.”

OK, but correct me if I’m wrong but a hang up would not be counted as anything towards a poll? A none answer is a none answer not a “undecided”.

Mr. Zogby?

Plus I think the word is EnRAGED 😉
- tim | 09/25/2009 @ 11:29
Hmmm…good point, great question.

With that caveat, I would have to agree with you. “No opinion” on this would be kind of like “no opinion” on whether O.J. did it or not. Like, where the hell have you been stickin’ yer head for the last x many months?
- mkfreeberg | 09/25/2009 @ 12:11

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Thursday, September 24th, 2009