Posted by
Mustang on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 7:52:56 PM
According to the Pew Research Center, only 18% of the American people say they are satisfied with the way things are going in this country, the lowest indicator since 1993. Seventy-six percent of the American people are clearly dissatisfied, although there appears to be more “satisfied” Republicans than Democrats; its partisan politics of the first order. Well, until recently when Republicans have turned more sour and only 29% are satisfied with the state of the Nation.
Among registered voters, 61% believe that domestic issues deserve the president’s highest priority, with only 22% believing that foreign policy is of the utmost concern. However, when questioned about domestic issues vs. the war on terror, the margin is much closer: 46% believe domestic issues should be our priority, with 38% thinking the war on terror is more important.
So the battle of political philosophy marches on, as it always has. The data is amazing, however, when one considers Obama’s popularity among registered voters in such areas energy, the economy, health care, and social issues. In each of these categories, Obama enjoys a lead ranging from 14 to 20 points over McCain; I say amazing because Obama has absolutely no experience in any of these areas. It causes one to wonder if the voters are as informed about issues or the candidates as they ought to be.
Today, John McCain addressed the energy crisis. He advocated domestic drilling, improvement of petroleum refining facilities, development of cleaner coal, and an expansion of nuclear power facilities. Later, Obama issued a press statement. He does not favor of domestic drilling, does not want to waste more money improving refinement plants, and will not approve an expansion of nuclear power. What he will do, however, is offer taxpayers another stimulus package to help them pay for gasoline, and he will impose a hefty windfall profits tax on the oil producers. Now I ask you, dear reader . . . which candidate seems to have the best handle on energy policy? How could Obama enjoy a 15-point lead over McCain on this issue?
Possibly, individual democrats polled by the Pew Research Center are so dedicated to their party, they would favor Obama no matter what the issue, and even if Obama was a convicted felon. On the other hand, I suppose Democrats earnestly think that Obama can grow into the job – a belief that no doubt really infuriates Hillary Clinton, and an indication that they haven’t learned anything from the Carter Administration.
The above information leads me to conclude that most voters simply do not understand where the business of America is accomplished. People look to the president, when they should be paying greater attention to members of congress. As we struggle with the energy crisis (neither party has adequately addressed this issue), domestic security, healthcare issues, education (and I have a simple solution for this one), and trade – one elected official has decided to pursue a different agenda: toy guns. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D, NJ) wants a law to regulate the manufacture of AirSoft toys. For Lautenberg, the controversy is that juvenile gang-bangers who commit crimes often wield these toy weapons at their victims because they look real and police officers, who show up with guns drawn, are wont to shoot individuals who are carrying guns (toys or not). So, in the environment when people want more focus on domestic issues, at a time when Americans are paying excessive prices for gasoline, and Californians are marrying their pets . . . an elected democrat wants an investigation of the AirSoft industry.
I’ve long given up on politicians, believing there is no way to change their spots, and the government won’t let us shoot’em. No, I think we need to concentrate more on voters who, as evidenced above, haven’t a clue. And no, I would never suggest our education system is such a mess by liberal design.