USA Today/Gallup Poll on opinions of Tea Party supporters

[alp227]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2010-07-01-tea-party_N.htm

- 30% of Americans in general and 57% of Republicans consider themselves Tea Party supporters.

Of the supporters:
- 78% are Republicans or independents who lean Republican.
- 77% are non-Hispanic whites.
- 69% are conservatives.
- 62% are married.
- 56% are men.
- 47% are 55 or older.
- 23% are under 35.

What they believe:
- 92% believe the federal government debt is a very serious/extremely serious threat to the nation's future well-being.
- 90% believe terrorism is a very/extremely serious threat to the nation's future well-being.
- 90% are dissatisfied with the way things are going in this country.
- 87% disapprove of the job congressional Democrats are doing.
- 85% believe the size and power of the federal government are a very/extremely serious threat to the nation's future well-being.
- 83% say most members of Congress don't deserve re-election.
- 83% say President Obama doesn't deserve re-election.

Interestingly, USA Today reports "many of them acknowledge they aren't exactly sure what that allegiance means," quoting two people who responded to the survey (I do think it must've been, given this report was in response to a poll...one of my friends from high school=Teabagger and called this article "twisted liberal media")

Also, the article reported that the Bush administration inspired the Tea Party movement: "For right-of-center voters alarmed by Obama's agenda but disenchanted with Bush's GOP, the outburst by CNBC's Rick Santelli on the floor of the Chicago mercantile exchange in February 2009 calling for a "Chicago Tea Party" for "the capitalists out there" struck a nerve." and "Some Tea Party supporters who might have moved back toward the GOP express disappointment with Bush's backing of the Wall Street bailout and Medicare prescription-drug initiative." (Percentages of Americans who considered themselves Republicans: 34% in 2004, 28% in both 2008 and this year.)

[Itchinjim]

1. The 30%ers again.

Bush's base.

[sofa king]

5. Frightened by the word "threat" itself.

Fear is their primary motivator, which is part of the reason why the Bush Administration worked overtime to keep us all scared. The more scared they are, the more certain it is that they will go to the polls and vote against their own interests. The poor suckers.

[Lasher]

2. Disenchanted with Bush's GOP

But not honest enough to revolt back then. Taking it out on Obama and Congressional Democrats now.

[marketbreakaway]

3. The Great Uniter

The election in 2008 united so many diverse factions of
America in the "anybody but Bush" motto.

The democrats were successful in spreading Bush over the
entire republican party.

However, Bush is now long gone and the republicans are way,
way out of power.

In my humble opinion, the abandonment of fiscal
responsibility, by both parties, has led to the creation of
the tea party.

Look at their #1 issue, balance the budget on lower taxes. 
This by definition means smaller government.  Does this make
them stupid or are we democrats stupid for not listening to
this one big issue.

Paul Krugman has been pushing his belief that we are in a
cycle of deflation therefore we need to increase the
government side of the spending equation to prevent a
depression.  I happen to agree but I also see the point of
view of Bonner the republican when he said that there is no
coherent plan to the deficit spending.

Here is a plan that I would like to see Obama and the
democrats put forward:

1. A national energy plan that includes 5 years of special
spending to upgrade and improve our electrical distribution
network and a series of privately owned but federally backed
nuclear power generators that will, when complete, promise to
meet all electric needs for 50 years.  (You see, this large
and expensive program pumps money into the economy but, unlike
Nancy's unemployment extension, promises a long term payback.)

2.  A rational down sizing of the military with more emphasis
on drones and less on pilots.  (Also technology creating and
job creating and cheaper but no reduction in military
capability).

3.  A rational down sizing of social security with a means
test and a raise in the age of elidgibility to 72.  (Let's
face it folks, it is going broke and we are all living longer
and healthier, so we need to work longer.)

4.  Medicare for everyone but with rationing for the older or
the terminal and without restrictions on additional insurance.
 (the canadian and british models try to be 'fair' to everyone
and do not allow supplemental insurance, the american model
should put a floor under everyone but allow for differences in
wealth, this would allow competition among providers and keep
the free market model working too.)

So, however much fun Bush bashing has been, it is time to let
it go and get our own platform.  The platform the democrats
have now (just SPEND baby!) is scaring the heck out of
everyone including me.  

[PittsburghKid]

4. I Agree, Time to Move Forward

I'm actually registered GOP but have found myself drifting away from the party considerably, especially in the areas of education and in particular the environment. I have always been more of a moderate, but am starting to err to the left a bit more than I used to (which is why I joined this forum).

I agree, it's time to move on past the Bush bashing. I'll admit I'm not an Obama fan (was a Hillary backer, she was my first choice over anyone else in 08) but I think he can win me over a little more if he actually does some of the things the above poster mentioned. (I do have some issues with Obama and his actions thus far, but we won't get into them here).

Where I've really split from the GOP is this whole "tea party" thing. Yes, I'll freely admit I'm adamantly pro-life (I'll respect your views if you respect mine), but I think the GOP is going too far right now. They're all becoming a bunch of Limbaughs and Palins, and if that's who's going to run my current party, consider a party switch for me to be in order. They really don't have a strong leader or leader candidate (Bill Frist was one of the guys I thought would step up, but he's out of politics now). Many of their leading guys are getting older or are these young newcomers who definitely don't echo the men of the Tea Party of 1773.

We have to move on from oil, create green jobs, and while we may have to raise taxes, we can do so in ways other than property, sales, or income tax hikes. Here in Allegheny County, we have a pretty high drink tax. We're also facing some potential port authority cuts (which would eliminate jobs, transportation for many, and a green alternative to driving cars). I say to raise that drink tax a bit further, put a sin tax on carbonated beverages (which would also help our obesity crisis!), and perhaps adopt some other minor tax on something. I'm not sure if our casinos in Allegheny County are taxable, but if they are, this may be a good idea. (I'm not as into politics as some of you, so I'm ready for some learning experiences if I'm not sure of something--please help a newbie out!)

In the end, I think a federal gasoline tax increase will be a good idea. It will raise money short-term and in the long run will create green jobs (since alternative sources of energy will come into play) and entice folks to switch to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars or take public transit.

As for the retirement age--I'm going to go with 70. Social security is going broke and I think we'll just have to save more long term. I'm going to go for a master's and a doctorate at a young age so I can move up the pay scale easier with the hope of putting more away for retirement now just in case social security does fail--I'm bracing for it, since my retirement is decades away (I'm still in college).

[ToppleTheTeaParty]

7. re: The Great Uniter

4. Medicare for everyone but with rationing for the older or the terminal and without restrictions on additional insurance. (the canadian and british models try to be 'fair' to everyone and do not allow supplemental insurance, the american model should put a floor under everyone but allow for differences in wealth, this would allow competition among providers and keep the free market model working too.)

Problem with #4 is, lots of older people are VERY selfish. Get them motivated, and the GOP will be running shuttle buses from the Nursing homes to the voting offices. I mean, you don't want to motivate/enrage that part of the GOP base. Rather than take your plan as it is, I would convince the AARP to start talking about suitable expenses for that age range. Convince the older people that 100% complete & comprehensive care is just not possible for every single person.

I lived in FL for 20 years. Old people can be very narrow-minded, selfish, and vindictive. Let's not get them to the polls on Tues, Nov 2nd.

[ToppleTheTeaParty]

6. Complete propaganda

Of those 30% of Americans, how many of them are:
Trying to find a job
Running a business
Dealing with family matters
Going to college/university
HAVE A HOBBY!?!?!?

We should not be worried but become emboldened. For if we do not stop this tyranny, we will be on the doorstop of World War 3.
There will be no more wars thereafter.

Organize
Volunteer
Donate
Canvass
Work the phones
Get off your asses and re-elect the Dems
Kick out all the Repug incumbents

All of you, and each of you, hold the future of America in your hands. Use them well. There might not be an America after 2012!

[Patriotforsure]

9. You need to look at the constitution my friend well maybe understand it is the way I should word tha

Checks and balances are what have kept this country safe, and from being taken over from the outside and inside!!!!!!! The constitution will keep us what we are if we follow it unless we waver from it!

[Patriotforsure]

8. What is wrong with following the constitution?

Can anyone answer what is wrong with that and why? This has been the greatest country on earth why would we (honestly now honestly) want to change the way we live not perfect but as good as it gets in this world?????????