Gallup: Huge Divide Between Dems And GOP On Socialism, Government, Capitalism

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM




TOM KLUDT 9:32 AM EST, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Democrats and Republicans diverge sharply on their opinions of capitalism, socialism, big business and the federal government, according to a survey from Gallup released Thursday.

The poll shows that Republicans react more positively to terms such as "capitalism" and "big business" than their Democratic counterparts. Seventy-two percent of GOPers surveyed have a positive opinion of capitalism, while 75 percent view big business in positive terms. Democrats react more coolly to both: 55 percent have a positive impression of capitalism and only 44 percent have a positive opinion of big business.

The reactions flip when it comes to "socialism" and the "federal government." A little more than half of Democrats, 53 percent, have a positive view of socialism, while 75 percent have a positive image of the federal government. Less than 30 percent of Republicans surveyed have a positive view of each.

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Read more: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/gallup-huge-divide-between-dems-gop-on-socialism

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Link to Gallup Poll:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/158978/democrats-republicans-diverge-capitalism-federal-gov.aspx

[JDPriestly]

1. Duhhhh!

Gallup has to take a poll to find this out???

Where have they been all these years?

It is mostly a matter of semantics. Republicans love their Medicare and Social Security, same as Democrats. Democrats hate Walmart. It's far to same, same, one size fits all and not nearly enough of capitalist competition for us.

The gap is in the language, not in the reality.

Only the very rich really hate government that much. Only the crazy really want government monopolies and cooperatives for everything.

This Gallup poll measured Republican and Democratic terminology, not real differences.

As for the attitude toward government, much of the Republican resentment toward government is focused on local issues like zoning restrictions, building codes, etc. and has nothing to do with federal regulations. Big business confuses Republican voters about what is federal and what is local -- and fools Republicans into resenting the federal government instead of the local city council.

[Cryptoad]

6. This just in,,,

News Flash Fox News Reports Gallup has Romney up 12 pts and surging!

[byeya]

9. Ever see a Repug rally where they burned their Medicare and SS cards? I haven't.

The rank and file republiKKKan is just too thick to understand that Social Security could accurately be called Socialist Social Security and the same goes for Medicare.
The ultra wealthy think they don't need these programs, and public education either, and they get their walking dead supporters to parrot the message w/o understanding what they're talking about.

[bamacrat]

2. Gallup is good for telling us stuff we already know.

Accurate polling prior to elections...not so much.

[bemildred]

3. Didn't they used to be an important polling firm? nt

[byeya]

10. Yes, Gallup once was.

[loyalkydem]

4. Don't trust gallup any more.

[reflection]

7. Yeah, I pretty much view them with the same disdain

that I do Rasmussen. Gravis I won't even stoop to calling a polling firm, as they seem to be a marketing agency run by a charlatan.

[AlbertCat]

5. You'll notice....

55%.... more than half... is reacting "coolly"?????

And 44% is just 6 points below half.... still not as "cool" as the GOP 30% cool.

The GOP divide is a monstrous 70-something to 30.... fanatical!

Whereas the Dems are not outrageously for or against but hold all concepts at a median.... because they are not nuts or act like 2 year olds.

THAT'S real info of this survey.

[LW1977]

8. I know longer take Gallup seriously.

Their polling results within the last 2 weeks within the election. They are now as reliable as Rasmussen.

[Baitball Blogger]

11. Gallup, working to regain its crediblity.

[AndyTiedye]

12. Pretty Large Divide on What is Meant by the Word, "Socialism"

even here on DU. To some here it means Sweden, to others it means China under Mao.

Of course the Rapeuglicans consider even the ACA to be socialism, just for having the temerity to require that people get health insurance if they can afford it, and requiring that the insurance companies insure sick people.

[RickFromMN]

13. Let's see how the Republican farmers respond when farm price supports are gone.

Let's see how the rural Republican strongholds respond when their local post office is closed.

I suspect Republicans don't realize Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid are government programs.
Or would it be fairer to say, the Republicans availing themselves of those programs don't realize it.

Let's see how the Republicans react when our infrastructure deteriorates and somebody needs to repair, rebuild, or replace it.

Speaking of education, let's see how the Republicans respond when students won't want to go into manufacturing for fear of low paying jobs, outsourcing, being replaced by machines.

Let's see how the Republicans respond when our major corporations are Chinese corporations.
First you move the low paying jobs to China along with the entry level manager jobs to China.
Then you move middle management jobs to China. Then you move senior management jobs to China.

Then the Chinese start their own company, with all this Chines talent you just trained.
Your greedy American company goes out of business, unable to compete with the new Chinese company.

[YOHABLO]

14. I Couldn't Have Said It Better ...

The very people who vote against their own best interests .. "What's The Matter With Kansas?" We need to drown this so called Republican party in the bath tub.