Politicians and their truthiness

[nathanm]

I'm just telling you how people who self-identify with the Tea Party movement report in polls. There was an article in the New York Times about this latest poll and a couple of other minor articles, but as with most truly interesting news, it goes mostly unnoticed.

Sort of like how the poll showing that most Tea Party supporters (as opposed to activists, who are around 20% of people who self-identify as Tea Party supporters, or about 4% of the US population) think their taxes are fair. 

Take the 2010 polling numbers with a big grain of salt, though. The Tea Party has been losing significant support lately. Basically everything that's not shiny and new is being viewed rather unfavorably at the moment, including Obama, although his favorables are much higher than Congress'. People are just pissed off.

I also saw an interesting poll regarding Libya the other day that showed most people claimed to be opposed, yet when asked about the specific actions we've actually been taking there, they were all viewed favorably by the majority of respondents. Very similar to how people have an unfavorable view of the word "liberal," yet overall strongly support traditionally liberal causes. Take from that what you will..

[Red Arrow]

Very similar to how people have an unfavorable view of the word "liberal," yet overall strongly support traditionally liberal causes.

Supporting a generic goal (cause) is not the same as supporting the method to get there.

Fill in your own examples.

[nathanm]

Supporting a generic goal (cause) is not the same as supporting the method to get there.

Like it or not, most people in this country are in favor of progressive taxation. They are in favor of welfare, so long as there's a path to work involved for those who can work. They are even in favor of a public option for healthcare. Too bad the Democratic leadership wasn't in favor of that last one.

It never ceases to amaze me that the discourse in this country (and more particularly on this board) is far to the right of Teddy freakin' Roosevelt. If I advocated the things he advocated, I'd be called a communist.

[Red Arrow]

Like it or not, most people in this country are in favor of progressive taxation. They are in favor of welfare, so long as there's a path to work involved for those who can work. They are even in favor of a public option for healthcare. Too bad the Democratic leadership wasn't in favor of that last one.

It never ceases to amaze me that the discourse in this country (and more particularly on this board) is far to the right of Teddy freakin' Roosevelt. If I advocated the things he advocated, I'd be called a communist.

I believe most people are in favor of giving a helping hand over a hand out.  Better healthcare yes. Public option, maybe as a last resort.  I don't believe much of anyone wants to see people starve and lose their home because of medical issues.  How we get there is the obvious difference.

It doesn't amaze me that you are amazed.  Different vantage points.

[guido911]

Like it or not, most people in this country are in favor of progressive taxation. They are in favor of welfare, so long as there's a path to work involved for those who can work. They are even in favor of a public option for healthcare. Too bad the Democratic leadership wasn't in favor of that last one.

You mean to tell me that the majority of Americans want stuff and have others pay for it? I am shocked.

[we vs us]

You mean to tell me that the majority of Americans want stuff and have others pay for it? I am shocked.

Sometimes I can't believe how bitter you are about living in this country. 

[guido911]

Sometimes I can't believe how bitter you are about living in this country. 

Bitter about living here? Nope. Bitter that I have to pay while nearly half don't? Yep. Incidentally, to the joy of a few in here, I have looked into moving to Grand Cayman. Love that place (except for turtle stew), and its tax structure doesn't punish the successful.

[nathanm]

Bitter about living here? Nope. Bitter that I have to pay while nearly half don't? Yep. Incidentally, to the joy of a few in here, I have looked into moving to Grand Cayman. Love that place (except for turtle stew), and its tax structure doesn't punish the successful.

Please, try it out. Let me know how well it works out for you when some other country figures out how to become an even better tax haven. You have a strange definition of punish, by the way.

[Townsend]

Tim Pawlenty is accidentally honest and then dials it back.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_theticket/20110413/ts_yblog_theticket/tim-pawlenty-is-running-for-president-he-just-doesnt-want-to-formally-admit-it-just-yet

The unfortunate thing for Pawlenty is that his honest admission--and let's face it, the Minnesota governor's supposed gaffe was a case of him actually telling the truth--focuses a spotlight on the sillier aspects of the behind-the-scenes plotting of a presidential bid, which proceeds every four years with the help of the media.

Most average people won't get why Pawlenty's aides tried so hard to knock down the story--especially when it's more likely than not the former Minnesota governor will ultimately "formally" admit in a few days or weeks that he's actually in the race.