From Rasmussen Reports:
74% Trust Their Own Economic Judgment More Than Congress
Three-out-of-four Americans (74%) trust their own judgment more than that of the average member of Congress when it comes to economic issues facing the nation.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 13% trust the average Congress members judgment more, while 12% are not sure who knows best.
It is perhaps not surprising that 77% of Republicans trust their own judgment more than that of the average member of the Democrat-controlled House and Senate, a view shared by 79% of adults not affiliated with either party. But nearly as many Democrats (69%) agree with them.
(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter.
Perhaps this skepticism is explained by the new finding that 77% of Americans believe, generally speaking, that relatives and close friends of politicians get special treatment when seeking government favors and contracts. Just six percent (6%) dont think this is true, although 17% are not sure.
There is little partisan disagreement on this question. While 88% of Mainstream Americans say the relatives and close friends of politicians get special treatm ent, even a majority of the Political Class (54%) agrees.
By a two-to-one margin, voters believe that no matter how bad things are, Congress can always make them worse.
It's not just Congress that people are skeptical about on the economic front. Sixty percent (60%) of voters nationwide now trust their own economic judgment more than President Obamas.
But then 60% of all Americans say most politicians will break the rules to help people who give them large campaign contributions.
Earlier this year, voters accurately predicted that most members of Congress wouldnt know what was in the stimulus bill when they voted on it.
Forty-five percent (45%) of Americans now say the rest of the new government spending authorized in the stimulus plan Congress primary economic initiative so far this year - should now be canceled, but 36% disagree.
Seventy-six percent (76%) of Americans say it is at least somewhat likely that a large amount of money in the stimulus plan will be wasted due to inadequate government oversight.
The majority of voters even oppose the Cash for Clunkers bill just approved by Congress that offers owners of older cars up to $4,500 towards the purchase of new, more fuel-efficient models.
Only 23% of voters now say Congress is doing a good or excellent job, but still that represents the legislature's highest rating since May 2007. Seventy percent (70%) believe members of Congress are more interested in furthering their own political careers than helping people.
In mid-February, 67% of U.S. voters said they had more confidence in their own judgment than that of the average congressman.
Source
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/economic_stimulus_package/june_2009/74_trust_their_own_economic_judgment_more_than_congress
76% Say Government Likely To Waste Stimulus Money
Seventy-six percent (76%) of Americans say it is at least somewhat likely that a large amount of money in the $787-billion economic stimulus plan will be wasted due to inadequate government oversight.
Nearly half (46%) say it is very likely, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
Only 18% say it is not likely that taxpayer money will be wasted.
Sixty-five percent (65%) of Republicans say it is very likely stimulus money will be wasted, a view shared by just 32% of Democrats and the plurality of adults (44%) not affiliated with either party.
(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter.
Fifty-nine percent (59%) of all Americans are not confident that taxpayer money will be wisely and carefully spent despite President Obamas pledge of unprecedented oversight of all government spending.
Just 36% of Americans are at least somewhat confident that taxpayer money will be wisely and carefully spent, but thats down 10 points from February just after the president made his pledge, putting Vice President Joseph Biden in charge of oversight.
Americans are slightly more confident, however, that the government will do a better job four years from now than it is today. Forty-four percent (44%) are at least somewhat confident that the government will be spending more wisely and carefully by then, including 16% who are very confident.
Still, a majority of adults (51%) disagree, with 27% not very confident the government will be spending more wisely and carefully in four years and 24% not at all confident.
Obama in a press conference on Tuesday acknowledged that the U.S. economy remains sluggish and reiterated his intention to speed up stimulus spending. While most voters still blame the Bush administration for the nations economic problems, a growing number are now inclined to blame the new president.
Forty-five percent (45%) of Americans believe the rest of the new government spending authorized in the stimulus plan should be canceled right away, but 36% disagree.
As is often the case, the gap between the Political Class and Mainstream America is wider than the one between Democrats and Republicans. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the Political Class is at least somewhat confident that the government will spend wisely and carefullyOnly 22% of Mainstream Americans share that optimism.
Most voters (53%) believe increases in government spending hurt the economy. Thirty-nine percent (39%) now expect their personal taxes to rise under the Obama administration, up eight points since the inauguration and the highest level of concern measured to date.
Nearly half of voters (49%) have a favorable opinion of Biden, while 47% view him unfavorably. These numbers have been largely the same since he and Obama took office in January.
Source
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/economic_stimulus_package/june_2009/76_say_government_likely_to_waste_stimulus_money
Like I said...take it as you will.
BUT...
If this is even remotely correct, what does that say about Congress and the Administration?
And how do these schmucks manage to be re-elected?
Like a steely blade in a silken sheath
We don't see what they're made of
They shout about love,
But when push comes to shove
They live for the things they're afraid of
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Rush - "The Weapon (Part II of Fear)"
There are those who treat every human
interaction as a military engagement that
could escalate into a potential battle
leading to a nice, satisfying conflict
that's part of a war. There is a name for
such people. They're called assholes.
-------------------------------------------
Stanley Bing - "Sun Tzu Was A Sissy"
Anton...
