Americans Feel that the Economy Has Not Been Stimulated

A new Rasmussen poll released last week show for the first time that a plurality of Americans believe the stimulus plan has hurt the economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 30% of voters nationwide believe the $787-billion economic stimulus plan has helped the economy. However, 38% believe that the stimulus plan has hurt the economy. This is the first time since the legislation passed that a plurality has held a negative view of its impact.

Well this seemed inevitable, I think that there are two interesting points highlighted in this poll.

Firstly, this poll shows a massive move away from Liberalism. Keep in mind, that the Democratic Party and Liberalism has always believed in a massive, central government. The government, according to this ideology, is the cure to all social ailments. Republicans and Conservatism, on the other hand, believes that the government should mind its own business favoring a small, non-intrusive central government. Obviously, I adhere to the latter. After all, all it takes is a visit to the post office or your local DMV to realize that the government is inept at handling anything well. And, it seems that most Americans do not want a large, free-spending government:

50% of voters believe increasing government spending is bad for the economy. Just 28% believe that increased government spending helps the economy.

Concerns about federal budget deficits also play a role in evaluating the stimulus spending. Voters continue to think that the president’s top budget priority should be cutting the federal deficit in half by the end of his first term in office. But they see it as the goal the president is least likely to achieve.

Government spending equals a growing government, a more entangling bureaucracy and Americans are getting tired of it.

I believe that these numbers reflect a ideological shift towards Conservatism, even if we don't call it by a name.

This paradigm shift is greatly seen amongst the "unaffiliated" voter.

Among those not affiliated with either major political party, 52% believe the stimulus plan has had a negative impact.

The second interesting point is that there is a tremendous disconnect between the "Political Class" and the American public.

The Political Class has a much different view than the rest of the county. Ninety percent (90%) of the Political Class believes the stimulus plan helped the economy and not a single Political Class respondent says it has hurt.

Clearly, the average American, the backbone of our society, the folks who work hard for the money they earn, are unhappy with the economy and, perhaps more importantly, unhappy with the way their government has addressed the issue.

The economy is the number one issue gnawing at the minds of Americans. People are afraid and uncertain. Will they have their job next week or fall victim to unemployment? When their sons and daughters graduate college, will they find a job? Will the economy ever recover? Why is the government spending my tax-payer dollars on nonsense?

As Americans search for answers, the government continuously fails to offer sound minded policies. Americans are saving their money, the government is spending it. And, as a result, Americans are going to be looking for real change in 2010.

I hate to always look at things through a election lens, however, if Americans are fed up, the only thing they can do it vote. If their representatives fail them, Americans need to fire them; vote them out of office. Our vote is our voice and I have a feeling Americans are going to be loud in 2010.

For the full Rasmussen Report, click this link: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/economic_stimulus_package/december_2009/for_first_time_plurality_believes_stimulus_plan_hurt_the_economy