Finally, people are waking up. If even a UT poll says that progressive/liberal, socialist, quasi-communist governments like this one are failing, then good Lord, we may finally have a real country again.
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Americans Believe Nation Headed Down Wrong Track, According to New PollNovember 16, 2009 AUSTIN, Texas — Fifty-one percent of people believe the country is on the wrong track, according to a poll conducted by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin. The survey of 2,100 individuals from around the country was released Monday in conjunction with a daylong conference on money and politics sponsored by the Center for Politics and Governance at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Thirty-one percent of respondents believe the country is heading in the right direction. "The pessimism that we have seen expressed in national surveys over the past 15 months continues," said Government Professor Daron Shaw, who oversaw the polling along with Government Professor Brian Roberts and Texas Politics Project Director James Henson. "Americans are very concerned about the economy and unemployment, but also express concern about corruption and the efficacy of the political system." The poll found 42 percent of respondents believe the economy, including unemployment and recent federal bailout packages, is the most important issue facing the country today. Health care ranked second among respondents' concerns at 17 percent. Similarly, 95 percent of respondents rated jobs and unemployment as an issue of high importance, more than any other of the 15 issues included in the survey. Gay marriage ranked as the issue of least importance to voters, with just 37 percent characterizing it as a high concern. "Our results," Roberts said, "suggest that an economic recovery will only go so far in restoring the public's trust in Congress. Perceptions of corruption and the role of money in politics are profound and are poised to impact voting decisions." The poll also examined respondents' views on the role of money in politics. Findings included:
The poll, which was conducted over the Internet Oct. 13-22, has a margin of error of 2.1 percent. Complete results and methodology are available online at the Texas Politics Project Web site. For more information, contact: Gary Susswein, College of Liberal Arts, 512 471 4945; Brian Roberts, 512-921-2560; Daron Shaw, 512-232-7275; James Henson, 512-471-0090. 13 Comments to "Americans Believe Nation Headed Down Wrong Track, According to New Poll"Finally, people are waking up. If even a UT poll says that progressive/liberal, socialist, quasi-communist governments like this one are failing, then good Lord, we may finally have a real country again. 2. brad said on November 19, 2009 This poll being generated from my alma mater and obviously a highly liberal school is confirmed by the fact that you have 37 percent concerned about gay rights. Give me a break. That is extremely high. If you took a normal poll of the nation you would find more conservatives and certainly less than 37 percent concerned for such an issue. This means you would find an even higher rate concerned that the country is headed in the wrong direction. I love my university, but I do feel sorry for today's generation that has been fed a Hollywood lie about the percentage of gay people in our country. Please consider a poll on the media and whether it is honest or dishonest. As a 56-year-old, my biggest problem with our world is the ignorance of the media, but yet the strong influence it still has over people. Look at the free ride Obama has gotten compared to anybody else, ever in politics. He has made more gaffs than anybody and has done it in less than one year. Normally the media would be all over him, but they are the ignorant ones who elected him and ignorantly called George Bush a liar. Don't get me wrong, I did not agree with a lot of Bush's policies, but he was honest and true to his convictions. You could say Obama is true to his convictions as more and more of his Muslim background is exposed. Of course, we always knew he was racist, but the media let that slide by. 3. ken said on November 19, 2009 We need to elect real representatives of the people--not lawyers turned professional politicians. 4. Roger said on November 19, 2009 I think that this poll should make a few more people think about how they vote and who they support and why. Excellent job, Texas. 5. Terry Kennedy said on November 19, 2009 You can add one more vote to that conclusion. People will not take personal responsibility in their lives until the government stops (or at least reduces) paying the way. 6. WILLIAM NONUS said on November 19, 2009 I lost trust in the direction of the country when: 1. There was no accountability on how the recipients of TARP monies could spend it. TARP was supposed to create jobs as well as prevent a meltdown in our economy. 2. We have no transparency or accurate reporting of what is going on in the federal government even though it was promised. 7. Allie K said on November 19, 2009 There was an e-mail that circulated about a year ago that highlighted with many statistics the fact that we the people vote the Senate and House members into place, and we can change them, and changing them is the only way to change what is happening. At the moment, a "clean sweep" campaign would be awesome, moving out all the old guard and bringing in new, non-party members into Congress. I put that forward as an option. 8. Victor said on November 19, 2009 The survey asks the wrong questions. It is not about jobs, money, health care or gay marriage. These are only second-order issues created by too much government. The people are upset about the assault on freedom, the Marxist agenda of our president, and a complicit and corrupt Congress. Ask "do you think government should be bigger or smaller," "what is more important, freedom or prosperity." Then, you will get to the root issues the American people really care about and that which is shifting their opinions and moving people to political involvement. 9. David Kahn said on November 19, 2009 Is 2,100 really an acceptable sample size in a country of 300 million? I would think not especially since the researchers are drawing such broad conclusions based on the results. 10. K Patterson said on November 19, 2009 I think these results exemplify what most of my contacts feel. The only people who seem to believe our country and economy are in a better place or moving toward a brighter outcome are news organizations and Warren Buffet. I am hearing more and more regret concerning votes cast in the last election. Those same individuals plan to vote differently in the upcoming elections. 11. Robert Howard said on November 19, 2009 If you polled me, it would be 100 percent thinking we are going in the wrong direction. I think your figures are low. 12. Chris said on November 19, 2009 Deceptive headline. Does UT have a statistics department? What's the margin of error? Would it be more accurate to say a plurality of Americans think the country is on the wrong track? And what do they mean by country? I think the country is on the wrong track because of the visceral mudslinging and lying that goes on. By the citizenry, media and the government. 13. Dave Schubert said on November 19, 2009 Every misdirection deserves a correction. This time the country is awakening to the disconnection of our elected leaders to the core beliefs we hold so dear. When the poles close in the next major election it will show the will and determination of the American people to be a free capitalistic society. Post a comment» Americans Believe Nation Headed Down Wrong Track, According to New Poll |
1. Thomas said on November 19, 2009