Washington (CNN) – A majority of Americans think the federal government poses a threat to rights of Americans, according to a new national poll.
Fifty-six percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday say they think the federal government's become so large and powerful that it poses an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens. Forty-four percent of those polled disagree.
The survey indicates a partisan divide on the question: only 37 percent of Democrats, 63 percent of Independents and nearly 7 in 10 Republicans say the federal government poses a threat to the rights of Americans.
According to CNN poll numbers released Sunday, Americans overwhelmingly think that the U.S. government is broken - though the public overwhelmingly holds out hope that what's broken can be fixed.
The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted February 12-15, with 1,023 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points for the overall survey.
From CNN Politics
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Apparently the Republican rhetoric, scare tactics, negative labeling, and the like have worked on independents. Pity because we surely need some government oversight of Wall Street that hasn't happened yet. You folks keep on trusting that corporations judged by their bottom line are going to do the right thing and you are going to keep on getting burned. I just get so impatient with ignorance.
Which would you as a citizen want a greedy corporation (as we have many of them now) running your life or a government that puts its thumbs on the greedy corporations and keeps them in line like most of the rest of the civilized world has. Me the later Jim Hall Kansas City, Mo.
CNN and their opinionated coverage and polls are bringing this country down. Turn the networks off and make up your own minds.
This is what one would expect: a good majority of today's Democrats ready, even anxious, to sacrifice personal liberty in exchange for some level of financial support from the government.
The Democratic Party used to foster more pride than that. Doesn't anybody remember President Kennedy (a Democrat)?
Regarding the fixing of what's been wrong in Washington for a year, it WILL be fixed this coming November.
All those good republicans would have no problem as long as GOP was in front of the president
But that said – it is way to big
Obama in DENIAL.
Don't
Even
Notice
I'm
Always
Lying
The trust has gone *poof*...
Oh please! The people witching and complaining are the birthers and tea party crowd nutsos. The ones who want their country back!!
You can give your gosh darn guns. Geez. So many other important things to worry about in this world.
I will NEVER understand their mindset. Do they want less highways, less schools, no more police or fire departments, no more national parks, the list goes on and on.
I want the same healthcare that Congress has. As an American citizen I want to make sure my family and I have the best. Just like they do.
Government is a threat to our rights and liberties. Certainly under recent Republican administrations from Nixon to Bush II, government has sought to circumvent the Bill of Rights and other constitutional guarantees and violate the rights and privacy of citizens for its own self-perpetuating purposes. While the Democrats are far from perfect, at least they haven't yet been as fearful of and hostile to personal liberty as the Republicans have.
Until Americans wake up and realize putting the same old tired politicans back in office over and over then expecting change is a pipe dream, we'll continue our downhill slide. Anyone who believes these guys run for any reason besides lining their own pockets needs to get off whatever they're smoking.
They didn't worry about this when the Department of Homeland Security was formed and the Patriot Act was passed. Where were these people?
Sometimes the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots. -Thomas Jefferson
Funny how 70% of Republicans think the government is a threat to their civil liberties when it was #43 who took many away from us, allowed torture here and in secret prisons (not so secret prisons now) and tried to rule through fear...
Rush/Laura/Rove/Fox News/Hannity/O'Reilly/Savage = Fear Mongers.
Think for yourself! Turn off hate radio/TV and go for a walk!
Wow! 56% of Americans "get it". And, what a suprise – most Democrats don't.
The redcoats are coming! Sound the alarm!
Brownshirts coming too! And jackbooted thugs...all part of Obamey's Army!!!
Exactly how many Republicans did you poll?
In my humble opinion most of the Republican-Independants and all of the Republicans are worried about their right to lie, cheat, and steal their way to financial independance. They aren't worried about their right to live their lives as good Christians or US citizens. What rights are being threatened by government?
"only 37 percent of Democrats"
Go figure. The other 63% of democrats are either federal employees, in unions, or perpetually have their deadbeat hands outreached looking for yet another handout from the nanny government.
when it is mandated that YOU WILL CARRY INSURANCE or be fined
it sure looks like the regime is starting to take over
when the majority of the people say we need to start over on the health care bill and the regime says WE DONT HAVE TIME when they had time to stall it themselves for a year. yea I am afraid they are on track to step on our rights and freedom . I have yet seen a leftist free society, that has the freedom that we should cherish here. you cant grow a big government that doesnt your freedom because they become your employer and council and supplier. can you chavez
And hysteria rules. Its interesting that when Bush was tapping peoples phones no one was concerned. Americans are really as stupid as a box of rocks.
Obama is clueless!!!!
Why did I vote for him?????
It is no surprise with Heir Bama, Comrade Pelosi, and Comrade Reid. These dolts are power hungry as are most politicians. Boot them all out in 2010 and 2012.
Then ask people to give away medicare, medicaid andtheir social security checks. So we don't need government
Let's shut down all government regulatory entities
Let's make everybody drive airplanes
Let's free companies sell anything they want to anybody they want for profit..
Lrt's destroy our environment
Let's allow all retarded people by guns
Let's free criminals on the street
What else..........
Wow, 63% of independents think the Gov't is a threat to citizens' rights? Methinks the Dems are not going to fare so well this November.
The government is not a threat to our 'rights' - The repub party of 'NO' is the threat to our people ! ! ! THEY are the 'goat' leading uninformed 'sheep' to slaughter ! ! !
More ambiguous and meaningless polls from CNN.
That is why big govt dems what to take away our 2nd amendment right.
I hope all these republicans that feel this way know that Bush and the Patriot Act are responsible for this "big" government.
People who are uninformed or watch Fox must have forgotten we no longer wiretap. You have to wonder which government agencies they want to eliminate. There's homeland security, FDA, FDIC, the post office, national parks, interstate highways and bridges, the military, national safety transportation board, and a host of consumer protection agencies.
The main threat to ordinary, flesh and blood citizens, comes from the conflation of corporations and government. That's not a partisan issue.
Why weren't Republicans worried when Bush started spying on the American people? I want to have a public option for health care. The insurance companies are gouging the poor and middle class (oops one in the same) and making billions at the same time. For what? I know, so the CEO's can get those big incentives. Insurance companies decide what procedures we can and can't have? They are the real death panels Sarah Palin spoke of.Tell me why the insurance companies decided to raise their rates now? It just proves we are controlled by them. Republicans get your priorities straight.
This is like the poll yesterday, where people responded they were opposed to majority rules in the senate. Pollsters should have asked if people knew what reconciliation meant before they included them. All they hear is the GOP and Fox talking points 24-7.
...but in reality, big corporations are the ones posing a threat to the rights of Americans. It just shows how uninformed the American public is. Your local chamber of commerce is a bigger threat to your rights than the federal government.
The GOP, Fox and the health insurance industry have teamed up with a song by the 5th Dimension called, 'Scrap the plan, we want to start over.' Barasso thinks the answer to health reform is medical savings accounts and high deductibles. He makes $176,000 without his lobby money and should take a reality check to see if that would work if he made $40,000.
IMO, the government is far less of a threat than it was two years ago. Also IMO, with the exception of rethuglicans, many of those who believe that the government is a threat harbored those feelings long before President Obama even thought about running for office.
I find it amazing, that the government's ability to wiretap didn't concern anybody, but if the gov, wants to help people get healthcare etc. this is anintrustion?
That is until there is a hurricane or dissaster, then they want to know why the government took so long to get to them.
Please, CNN you can do better than this.
Beck is doing his job well. Just what we need: a bunch of gun-toting Republicans scared of government. Bush and Cheney were the ones taking away our rights. Obama has LOOSENED gun restrictions, unfortunately, and should be doing more to close torture camps, stop illegal spying, and get rid of the Patriot Act which allows this crap. But I do not fear the current administration. When a government official is killed by one of these nutjobs, MAYBE Fox will see what they are doing to this country. But, then, it will be the fault of the left, because they are never wrong and never sorry.
Whoa here folks, Government threatening citizen's civil rights; what's the world coming to? Actually, the FEDS do threaten your rights and you should be angry and express that anger in a law-abiding and civil manner. In the vernacular of the day, toss 'em under a bus, meaning vote them outta office. Easy enough to do, but we don't have the opportunity often enough when these clowns act up. Citizens, if all you will do is complain without action you are whining; cite the problem, identify a solution and move forward smartly.
Have a nice day out there folks!! Ü
That's because we can read and understand how both parties have subverted the Constitution over the years....starting with FDR andstill continuing today...
Well what do you expect. Our founding fathers believed that our Rights were granted by God, but since we no longer believe in God who grants us our rights?
Also, look back at our Continental Congress, as they decided whether or not to declare independence, the debates were fierce and the process was very slow.
It is this ugly, slow process that makes our system the best. If you are really worried about our rights, then you just let one party start making fast, undebated decisions, and see what happens to your "rights".
the last 2 words should have been an intrustion?
And just what rights lost would those be?
I find it interesting that no one seemed concerned about big govt. when Bush was in the White House.
Govt. spending soared under Bush, illegal wiretaps on US citizens were commonplace, the Patriot Act pretty much equated non-violent civil disobedience with terrorism, and the administration went after anyone who disagreed with it (see Valerie Plame, also, "You're either with us or against us," if you protest the Iraq war you are aiding terrorists, etc.).
Where was all of the outrage then? Clearly this "anti-govt." sentiment is motivated by politics and partisanship. It's a strategy by the right-wing to regain power, and nothing more. What a bunch of shallow hypocrites!
Unfortunately, you can't have it both ways. Fire protection, police protection, military might, public education, roads, bridges, etc., all are a result of our government working for us. We pay for these things with taxes. The delicate balance we deal with, protection of individual rights, is part of the complex document known as the U.S. Constitution. Thank goodness there are actual constitutional scholars in the current administration.
We the people need to turn the tables on our so call representatives by voting them all out of office after one or two terms, maybe than they will listen to the concerns of their constituents instead of their own self interests.
This poll says that 56% of people question think the government has become so large and powerful that it poses an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens. People, wake up. WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT. Our government is made up of people we voted to put in office. WE would be the ones to vote them out.
The greatest threat to our rights and freedoms stem from FEAR. It is caused by those who wish to scare us into doing their will and it is caused by our lack of knowledge of how our government works and the lack of participation in it.
Over come the FEAR with the gathering of knowledge and take a more active role in the government and those who attempt to use fear will find themselves standing alone, out in the cold trying to convince themselves that their tactics are working.
Why is that.
Because they build schools, hospitals, roads and bridges.
They only believe the mis-information since we have an African-Americn President.
I they had the truth about what government does they will have a different view.
And the dumocraps/NObama just want to make government bigger.They have their brainless/ignorant sheep following them to the slaughter house and do not even realize the end is near.At least we will be rid of the brainless ignorant sheep(followers) after the slaughter.
When government makes deals to eliminate your jobs {14 trade aggreements and one big fat NAFTA} and you loose your house, health insurance and home, I would have to think that government " by the people" is no longer a valid statement. It was greedy people that got this country in the mess that we are in. Those special interest people influenced the people in government that we trusted. They betrayed our trust and now we pay for their mistakes.China and the US. threaten trade wars from time to time, but in all reality I believe in the end, China and our large corporations will always win until the people of the united states demand that the sweetheart deals made over the last 20 years end.
It's time to neuter the federal government. The liberals have turned it into what we fought a revolution against over 225 years ago: an overreaching, overtaxing, oligarchy.
Our freedom and liberty are at stake; we are going to have to fight to get it back, all of it! November 2010 can't come soon enough.
Vote conservative, people. Unless you like being a slave to Obama, Reid and Pelosi, and want to condemn future generations with the same fate.
The Federal government is a threat. All you have to do is look at the size, growth, salaries, and perks of the average employee, and know that you are paying for it, and you'll realize it exists solely for its own benefits and not the benefit of the American people. We need to eliminate entitlements and anything that does not directly support only the infrastructure and defense of the country to get it back under control.
Yes it does... under bush we lost so many rights... civil rights where squandered "to protect the american people"... sorry I don't buy this. Our rights where squandered to protect corporations!!! Wake up people and quit watching fox news!!!! IT is owned by corporate america!!!!
The govt. was developed to help and assist its people.. that is the purpose of the govt., not to compromise our freedoms!! Giving us health care is a far cry from imposing on our right to privacy!! cough, cough.. BUSH!
They most certainly do and something should be done about it very quickly. The Present majority government will just push ahead with their own projects and are not listening to the very people that they work for, these people should be shut down if they continue to ignore what "We the People" want. It is getting very dangerous, these people were not voted in to do what they please, but to do the peoples bidding, we are loosing are rights to freedom from this government, and that is not the American Way. Wake up People before its too late!
You folks need to come up to speed,.....
American freedoms and rights were lost with the passage of the "Patriot Act" many years ago under GWB.
Makes sense that repubs dispise the government while the dems feel that the government is not a threat, how could one feel threatened by their own God?
Dems/Obama and SOCIALISM = bankruptcy /welfare/entitlements/and FAILURE. Why REWARD the non workers and call it progress,how about the workers paying for your socialism?Dems want everyone to FAIL and be POOR.
Of course not a lot of democrats think the government is too big. As long as it continues to take care of them, it can bet as big as it needs to be.
Nevermind Uncle Sam, anyone reading this can attest that there are those who believe that some rules do not apply to them and that thinking is more of a threat to anyone, anywhere in the world.
As an Independent, I say that the most recent right wing government s have severely damaged civil and human rights along with economic freedoms of average Americans by using executive powers and political tactics (reconcilliation) to impose draconian police powers and corporate welfare. I find it interesting that those identifying themselves as republicans are now complaining about these (or other) measures while railing against current efforts to stabilize our economy. Open you eyes folks. Your wealth and freedoms have been eroded not by the center or left but by the far right.
GPC in TX
Dems/Obama = dog and pony show/promises/lies/spin & smoke.GOP just say NO and be proud if it,stop the dem/obama wasteful spending and socialist entitlement agenda.Government is the problem not the solution.Send the dems home in Nov.
The Republican Tea Party solution: Turn the government over to the private corporations like Visa, AIG and the health insurance companies that are robbing most of us blind while denying coverage to many. Yeah, that's makes a lot of sense. The "government" doesn't take away anyone's rights, it makes sure that the rich don't trample all over my rights.
Obama & the Dem Politicians are smart.They get paid for what they do,it is the morons that follow them that are the brainless/mindless ones.Sheep going to slaughter and do not even know it.
whatever CNN, with your catch phrases!!
ya right the republicans are the threat they lie and the democrats need to get a set of Balls and pass health care with or with out the party of NO
so its not the current president its the bush chenney rove era . 8 years of lies and theats . its time to move on change is here lets help the president make it happen . call email or what ever your representative
tell them support the presidents plan
I'm no fan of the "Big Brother" concept of government, but just what exactly do you think you will be a citizen of without government?
We need to get the money out of elections. We need to get the money out of politics (starting with K street). We need to get the money out of the news industry, so they can report news not gossip.
Poll question on the home page of CNN asked, "How do you view the White House Health Care Summit? Productive or a waste of time?" It accomplished nothing productivity wise, but it was a showcase of the bullstuff that the Republican Party has been peddling as policy.
I am at the point now to where I do not believe these polls anymore!!! It makes you wonder if CNN or the Pollsters are polling the SAME people???
I, and EVERYONE around my world, have NEVER been polled!!! NEVER!! Also, whose home during the day to answer the polls?? When are the polls taken??? Are CELL PHONES included??? Are BLACK people included??? Are GAYS included?
Another thing – how could these numbers be so right when EVERY Republican agreed with almost EVERYTHING in the Health Care Bill – which means they would have voted for it ONLY if the process was started over???? Huh? They want it to start over so they can LIE to the people that the PLAN passed because of THEM!!!
This all has to do with HEALTH CARE and so be it!!!!
Can you smell the Revolution???? Obama vs The People!!!!!!
This is NOT news to me.....I could have told you 30 years ago the our commie government. were slowly eroding at our rights......Its nice to know that CNN and their liberal followers finally woke up!!!
Sometimes we get "Our Civil Rights" mixed up with our "Civil Privileges and Civil Obligations!" We have become too "Give me, give me, give me, in our outlook towards our Nation, family and others.
Yesterday's all day photo-op (sorry, "Health Care Summit") was a prime example of what this poll indicates. It was a fine example of bipartisanship, both sides could not retreat from their "talking points" and nothing was accomplished. Now the Democrats will feel that it's OK to ram this one down our throats, too. Even though all polls indicate that "We The People" don't want it.
Aunt Bea/Opie/Mayberry/ & the tooth fairey = NObama/Dumocraps and socialist success ALL ARE JUST A FAIREY TALE-wake up the GOP will rule and once again we all will win.GOP for life,the party of success.
I guess the Democrats should consider NOT ramming through a bastardized version of a health care bill, eh? Go back to the drawing board and don't try to save face, Barry.... you're hearing....but not listening.... START OVER!!!
Whatever. Government is suppose to govern. It may seem odd to some folks because the country has been ungoverned for the last 8 years.
When we allow our country to wage unjust wars that are a threat to civilians and we can only come up with, "We're Sorry!" almost daily, then our government has become a threat!
Well of course..
And it's no one's fault but our own! We elect leaders that want to tell you who can marry or not marry. They decide for you if an abortion is right for YOU or not.....
We elect leaders that want to regulate your most PERSONAL and PRIVATE lives. We get what we deserve.
Americans should be concerned with Obama's agenda to take America down the path towards Socialism and Marxism.
funny I remember hearing from the democrats all the time when Bush was President about how he was takling their rights. yet in this poll it is the Dems who no longer feel that way. Yet Obama is still employign almost all the policies that Bush used like wireless phone taps and such. I guess we see that for all their yelling was solely based on partisan attitudes.
truth is any government whether Republican or Democrat is taking our rights and they must ALL be stopped. Democrats please wake up to this.......
Ya dont say?!!!
Every time there is more legislation and regulation,for each new government agency and policy we give up a little.
Yeah, rights are being compromised but the real issue is the economy. If everyone is broke paying for government programs that don't work – I would really like to know where all that money goes – then freedom is wiped out. Folks are still working at a greater percentage than Europe or other places but what good does it do when the government seizes that wealth in the name of compassionate laws/ programs? If I lose my house, can I be free? If I cannot afford food, am I free? If I sell my truck, am I free? If I must depend on the government, am I free?
wow, a CNN poll? 63% independents? Pretty hard to spin these results as angry, fringe, tea-partying white men clinging to guns and God. Gonna have to try another angle.
All you people who are against taxes if there weren't taxes you wouldn't have roads to drive on, or services to use when you need help. Everyone uses roads, bridges etc. So when you are complaining about something not being fixed look to yourself you and your Repub. friends are to blame.
Just report the news, and attempt to be unbiased (without obvious agenda's).
Large News Organizations just don't get it.
This isn't Oprah~
TAKING CORPORATION MONEY & FREE TRIPS- We can not trust those despicable lying evil GOP corporation loving scandels OOPS he is a democrat-FORGET WHAT I SAID we know dems are honest.
Again a poll clearing demonstrating the gross stupidity and ignorance of a majoitry of those polled. The educational system of this country is a massive failure if this is what our citizreny believes and "knows".
All conservatives are not stupid; all stupid people are conservative
It boggles the mind that the stats are that good for government. Our forefather's main concern was that the Federal government would get too big and become our master. Well, that is exactly what we see happening and has been for 100 years. Slow but sure, and now they are so bold, the Obama admn. is going to just do what they want without our consent. Obama, the dictator.
I cannot understanding how people are working so hard against having some type of health care reform. The republicans should be ashamed of themselves. When they had the chance to get it started they did nothing. All they do is talk. What I saw yesterday was just some of the same old things that was happening by the same class of white men who can't seem to relate to the plot of America. It no wonder our country is in the shape that it is in.
This isn't shocking. With the Federal gov't slowly siphoning power away from the individual, it becomes more controlling and intrusive to our everyday lives.
Solution: VOTE VOTE VOTE for candidates who will SHRINK the government and its power.
Of course its broken, wake up those of you who said its not a threat. We need to vote out 95% of incumbents!!
Who cares about rights. Give me more handouts!!
It is too bad that our president and Congress don't really care what the people think and seem to actually desire to limit citizens' rights unless, of course, they belong to a politically correct group or a group that contributes heavily to their coffers (like trial lawyers). People have started to see what Obama and his ilk want and it is reflected in this poll. You don't take over a chunk of the economy like health care without liminiting freedoms.
What do you mean ONLY 37 % of Dems think the federal government poses a threat to their rights? That's over 1/3 of the Democrats! Obama's own people don't trust him! Add that to the nearly 2/3 of independents and 3/4 of Republicans and these numbers are devastating. Even during the hippie era of the 1960's there wasn't this rampant distrust of government.
What do you expect with this kind of leadership, we fought against this 230 years ago. It's time to fight back!
The federal gov. has already taken a civil "right" away, access to healtcare. Our government only works for some, the wealthy and the powerful. This is my greatest fear about government, it only favors the rich and those in government. Healthcare for instance, our President is trying to find a way to make it possible to have healthcare for Americans and some of the congress sits there, and mainly republicans, fight against a public option, but they themselves have the best health care and insurance which is paid for by the taxpayers who sent them to Congress to represent us. As I watched the health summit and watched and listened to John Boehner and John McCain who are against the average American bring up the same ole talking points and lies instead of reaching out and working with what both sides already have in common. OUR GREATEST THREAT TO US LIES WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY,and I am an EX republican!!
Did you know that Arthur W. Degener was indicted for embezzeling $98,000.00 from Virginia Tech and then had a nervous breakdown?
We the people started losing our rights after George Bush & Dick Cheney took office. If that trend continues under Obama, shame on them. Both parties are guilty of ignoring the will of the people in favor of their own stubborn ideology. I find both parties to blame for our current mess.
Government has always been the biggest threat to freedoms! Just read your history, it has always been government that has oppressed people around the world and in the USA. That is why we were set up to be a REPUBLIC "to be ruled by law" the Constitution. If you haven't read the Constitution lately please do, you will notice that most in our Gov do not uphold it!!
GET OUR OF OUR LIVES Washington!!!!!
Jack
It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.."
–Samuel Adams
Remain vigilant people. The tireless minority want a hand-out, and will continue to demand that the government provide a nanny state, and cradle to grave benefits.
To fix it, shift the power of the purse to the States. Do this by disallowing the Federal Government from taxing the individual. Instead have the Federal Government tax the States per representative in Congress (House and Senate). This will have a couple consequences. First, it will establish a DIRECT relationship between representation and taxation. Second, it will cause the money to flow UP from the States instead of DOWN from the Federal Government. In other words, the States will no longer need Federal funding for ANY programs. They will get whatever money they need directly from the people. And since We the People have a greater say in our State governments over our Federal Government, We the People will have a greater say in how OUR MONEY is spent.
WHAT A DEMOCRAT(Rep Rangle) surely we can find a way to blame this on Bush.Maybe the poll was wrong.It is CNN's fault.He has only had a year.It was Racism.
The rights of Americans were taken away during the Bush Administration. The Patriotic Act allowed the government to enter homes, arrest people, and interrogate them all under the guise of terrorism. Now, I am all for preventing terrorists from harming Americans any where in the world, but, especially on home soil.
Perhaps the 1,023 adult Americans questioned in the poll forgot about the Patriotic Act, or, probably were only allowed to answer yes or no to the carefully selected questions.
I think the survey is a farce. What geographic area was surveyed, and how were the people selected?
We are definitely being led in to a Hugo Chavez situation by this idiot that was installed in office by George Soros and SEIU/ACORN. For the libertards that degrade and demean the TEA party, the jig is up, you have managed to turn America against you with the smug, smarmy and elitist attitude you demonstrate. Hopefully, democrats will throw the people who hijacked their party out and be reborn as true democrats again. Otherwise we could slide in to a one party system for decades starting in November.
The Senate is breaking government, and we can all see that now. When the framers created the institution of the Senate, they built-in minority protections by allowing each state two Senators regardless of population. On its own, the Senate has adhered to a rule of only allowing an up or down vote on legislation after clearing a 60 vote hurdle. Over time, legislators have used this parliamentary tactic to essentially extort things for their home state from the Federal Government. If you want to fix government, fix the Senate.
Please– oh please - call me just once for an opinion poll, Quit calling the same area codes and get some real opinions from free thinking Americans.
Is it Because a African American is president?
Where were this Americans when bush was opening our mails and and accessing our e-mail.
Fighting two wars and passing prescription drug not worrying about budget deficit.
My request to Democrats is let us pass Health care bill with Public option, enough of water down and doing back room deal to get 60 votes. Majority of Americans want to pass health care with public option.
Get rid of lousiana,nebraska, connecticut purchase and pass the bill with 51 votes.
I would agree 100%!!!!!
The numbers are as expected for the Dems and Repubs – The interesting thing is the high number of Independentswho feel this way. This group increasingly seems to be shying away from the left. That has got to be cause for concern for Obama and company as November approaches.
I find it interesting that when the last adminstration put procedures in place to protect the country from terrorist threats, the progressive liberals were up in arms. Where are they now? The BO aka Stinky administration says its ok to listen in on cell phones and no outrage. I guess its ok because they started with Americans dont mind having their cell phones monitored. Progressives I guess need to be told how to think
Exactly what freedoms have we lost since 11-04-08? The only threat in the gov't that I see is the resident domestic taliban the GOP.
What's new? This is exactly what the Founders believed too. Time to return to the Constitution and drop the creeping Marxist agenda being promoted by the leftists loons of the Democrat party.
The big news here, to me, is that it's not 100%! With the unprecedented government takeover under Barak Hussein Obama and his far-left, marxist-loving, administration, it's a wonder. Chicago politics on steroids has been on display, thanks to Fox News, and "We, The People" don't like it. Go figure! Sleeping giants have woken from their deep sleep...thank God!
Most surveys have the questions so loaded that they do not necessarily reflect the true opinion of the citizens
Enough with these polls! They poll 100 people, and by that they assume "the majority" of Americans feel a certain way. What a crock!
Wow, most have known this for quite a while. I hope the politicians are listening.
nah,, just wishful thinking
What this poll shows is that the vast majority of republicans are fearful, paranoid people easily manipulated by their party to believe all sorts of crazy things. They are so far out of touch with reality, it's positively scary. And these people say they want 'their country back.' Well, you can't have it back, you broke it! Now get out of the way and let the smart people fix it!
Since Obama took office, I've become more afraid of our own government that almost any foreign power. Sadly, there are many like me.
Even sadder is the fact that creating fear in America is exactly what Obama wants to do.
Government is only broken when Dems. are in administration.
NYC was "ungovernable" until Giuliani cleaned up the streets, cut welfare in half, cut taxes, promoted tourism and the financial industry, and then SUDDENLY, NYC was governable again.
DC is only "broken" because the vast Dem. majorities in House and Senate cannot solve their internal disorganization and disputes or Obamanationcare would've passed last summer.
Cheers to the Reps. who stood up to arrogance, stupidity, disinterest, and boredom in yesterday's summit. You are winning the country back.
The poll indicates that Americans are generally optimistic, even in the face of very challenging times. Yet, the fact is our country is broken. The more educated we are on the issues of the day, the more "broken" things appear. Because of our Judeo/Christian foundation and heritage, many of us run to our source of true help: wisdom from God. But our human nature also cries out for one true patriot. We wanted to believe that President Obama could offer change and true leadership, working with members of both parties. Now it is CLEAR..that he offers his own agenda even while our country suffers. If it were not for the deep seated hope in godly wisdom as an individual citizen, I would feel hopeless. That is why tea parties, etc strike a cord with many of us, even if we choose not to participate. We are trying to have some control over our lives because it is "PERFECTLY CLEAR" that Washington can NOT be trusted to do the right thing.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security
Of course the government is a threat to individual rights, you dolts. Why do you think the Bill of Rights exists in the first place. Government, in whatever form, will inherently seek to invade the rights of its citizens. That's not always bad, such as in most law enforcement contexts, but it's just a reality. How can anyone possibly think any powerful government is voluntarily going to look out for weak, powerless you?
How can you tell when the president is lying. Watch his mouth, it it mouths he is lying. His actions are telling us what he is. Slowly taking control of our freedoms. Stand up America before Freedom is gone.
The poll further shows how Democrats are so willing to give up their freedom. Completely out of touch. They are determined to make the country socialist.
I think when the Ttransportation Security Administration (TSA) goes around airports taking swabs of American Citizen's hands without express permission of the individual - that is going too far. I, for one, do not want to be so secure that I have NO personal FREEDOM.
Frankly, I would rather see two or three U. S. Air Marshals, with a license to kill, on every flight, than to have my personal privacy invaded by those Federal morons. Right now, I'd rather drive than to put up with the hassle at an airport.
Prediction: Within ten years, citizens will not be allowed to travel state to state wtihou proper Gov't approved documentation - all in the name of security. As the Gastapo would say in NAZI Germany, "Where are your papers?"
Well at least the majority is getting it right this time!!
The problem starts with a lack of a real 'Job Description' for members of Congress. I can't speak for others, but I don't feel that our elected representatives should be going to Washington intent on passing new legislation. As an example we have over 40,000 DIFFERENT laws on the books pertaining to guns. Isn't that alone insane? When this government was created, We The People only wanted to be safe. After that, leave me alone! If the politicians hadn't upset this credo, we'd be solvent today and still the Number One country in the world. Let's see if we can get people to run for office who promise they will begin dismantling, brick by brick, the chains that we now have shackling us.
And amazingly, in the face of all these polls and surveys reported widely, clearly, and directly – the government will continue to do exactly what we say not to do. It is pure arrogance on their part. They know better than we all do; we are dumb sheep and they are the great protectors. I used to listen to Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and think of Russia – now I think of America.
The survey indicates a partisan divide on the question: only 37 percent of Democrats, 63 percent of Independents and nearly 7 in 10 Republicans
Partisan Divide??? are you really that stupid or is your liberal idiocy coming into play here....you actually state 63% of independents...INDEPENDENTS!!!....ass clown.
How about the independents? What's the story on them? Should have provided a breakdown of the 1,023 people by party affiliation or were all either Republican or Democrat?
On a side note, good to see that CNN is finally (perhaps because it can no longer be supressed) reporting news that more accurately reflects the tone of the nation and not the spin coming from the WH and majority in Congress.
I have one queston, the story says 37% of dems, 63% of independents, and 7 in 10 rep. So why didn't they stick with the format and say 70% of republicans? I wonder if Barry is going to say these people are talking about Bush's government?
Thank goodness we have the intellectual elite who know better than the rest of us. Anyone who can't honestly answer this poll in the affirmative is mentally ill. Progressivism on the right and the left is a threat to this democratic republic and must be squashed. Anyone who disagrees should do some serious soul searching.
The monster is eating its tail...
And this is from CNN- Go figure- Maybe everyone is catching on.
yet the republicans are the one that demanded extending all the rights-killing aspects of the patriot act extension the other day. They also want the govt to stick their nose into everybodies bedroom, so their "support" for rights is lies or hypocrisy
CNN is playing catch up-finally! Obama only wants rights for some- not for all- he is so dangerous- and CNN by it's total lack of truthful coverage is almost as dangerous ciao!
We have career politicians and a President printing money and financially breaking our bank while attempting to make un-Constitutional policies in the health care arena, adding unwarranted tax burdens based on the lie of man made global warming, denial of our own resources of course they are a threat to our liberties
The government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take whatever it wants.
This is the "duh" poll of the day. Of course the US government is a threat to our rights. All they need is the right emergency to pass any legislation they want. Just ask Rahm Emanuel; that's his plan.
Not long now, November 2010, we can begin rebuilding the America we know and love. Not the nanny state that's been under construction for the last fourteen months.
With the Democrats posturing to pass a freedom oppressing health care bill through reconciliation I am not surprised at all by this poll. This administration has been overreaching since the beginning of its tenure.
The spending and increase of government size by 24% in one year in the midst of a serious financial crisis shows that they really don't care about the American people.
They will be voted out of office for doing additional damage to our economy cloaked in the disguise of a stimulus bill and all of the other spending which were mostly payoffs to cronies for helping win an election.
obama and his gang of thugs want to control every part of americans lives.. in their world the only ones with rights are them not you.. government control is not the answer.. name one thing govt does that is done wisely.. waste, fraud, abuse..
Why is all this coming as a shock to msm agencies? People have been very vocal. Could it be that after more than a year they haven't been able to silence the majority into submission, that maybe there is something to it? They have been bowing and kissing the feet of the annointed one for so long they have forgotten the people that actually see the emporer without clothing.
Cnn how come u didnt take this typeof poll when g w bush was wiretapping america u r getting more like fox thats why i watch bbc news
This should not be a surprise. I hope that everyone in Washington sees and understands this.
This poll also demonstrates that 63 percent of Democrats have no idea what is going on around them.
Im surprised that it's only 56%.
Indoctrination at the early ages in our public schools will eradicate the holdouts. Eventually.
People thought Bush was taking away rights. What a laugh. Obama's socialist utopia will strip us all of more and more of our freedom. As soon as he gets control of our health system, he'll accelerate getting as many people as possible reliant on the on govt. for jobs. Just like every socialist country. Then we are dead. The US is toast with this guy.
Good to see that the public is beginning to wise up. Are you listening, Democrats? Obama?
Jefferson, whom was considered a "Liberal" during his time, had one of the greatest quotes, "A goverment big enough to give you everything you want, can also take take it all away.".
The amazing thing to me is that anyone thinks that government is not a threat to their rights. It is what governments do. As Robert Heinlein says, "Laws are not passed for the benefit of the governed." More to the point, President Obama is arguably the most extreme proponent of government control of the individual.
Strange that CNN the first of all the "established"media to release a poll, that has been broadcast for the past 13 months by Fox News, I wonder if the other Media (MSNBC/ABC/CBS/NY Times/Washington Post) are beginning to see the vast mistake made by the voters in 2008 election?????? More than likely this comment will NOT be posted
The Republicans have done a masterful job in whipping up this "fear" mongering. What they are really saying is "we fear a black man in the oval office". What an amazing shame for this country.
It's not the government itself. The government has become an instrument for huge multi-national corporations that have gotten so big, so rich and politically powerful that they consider themselves to be global entities with no loyalty to any one nation. Through our cash-driven election system they get what they want using a government they run through lobbyists and lobbyists-turned-congressional staffers. Government's action (or inaction) is only a symptom of the real problem. Our Congress and state legislatures have been bought. Government takes the rap but the only way to get government working for us is to FIX THE MONEY. Focus like a laser beam on that and it will enable the fix for everything else.
In yesterday's summit you can see that each and every Republican has orchestrated talking point of 'step by step' and 'start all over',
It is obvious they came in summit with close mind not to support a black president.
There have been some really bad administrations in the past. J. Carter comes to mind but nothing like this one. The press has much for which to answer for palming off this man, completely unqualified on our country. The real problem though too many uneducated people who voted for this bunch of thugs.........
What were the statistics from the years 2000-2008?
Give us some more meat to your polls, not just assuming that we will take the bait and run with it. "Just the Facts, ma'am; Just the Facts" says Joe Friday.
Goes to show you how good the Right Wing brainwashing message has gotten.
Joe Mccarthy anyone?
63% of independents speaks volumes. Democrats are fine with big government as long as their party is in power, and Republicans didn't seem to care about Bush's massive expansion of government powers when it was in the name of "homeland security".
"One person's rights end where another person's begin"
U.S. started violating our human rights when they decided that it is perfectly acceptable to forcibly take one person's money/property and redistribute it to others. It's been all downhill since. When the "Common Good" takes precedence over human rights, it opens the door to a whole host of abuses.
Obama clearly expressed his opinion yesterday at the health care summit that the citizens of this country do not understand the complexities of these issues. Consequently, government must step into play. I was insulted bu his stammering as he looked for a word other than "dumb". The progressives would like nothing more than have big government.
It is not a surprise that the majority of Americans are now very concerned about our future and the size of government. The President and his party have decided to force through a government take over of Health Care. With that they now control some of the largest banks, AIG Insurnace, two of the three car companies all mortgages and it is growing. Control of health care will allow the government to decide all facets of what is "healthy" in our life, such as what we eat, drink, what we play as sports (e.g. hunting), and maybe even to much stress coming from not saying the "right" thing. Hopefully they won't force the American people out the back door of the White House because the Chineese Government says so.
Listen America . . . it is time to take back our future for our children. Give them the same opportunities we had. Freedom does not guarentee a success, we have to work hard for it!
I wonder what questions were asked of people who were polled because just simply asking does the government pose a threat to rights and freedoms is a yes or no question. I'd like to know how, why and when these polled individuals have been directly threatened and not just some propaganda they heard.
They are a threat, and it is naive to think they are not. In New Orleans guns were confiscated by heavily armed police and national guard, which is in direct and blatant violation of at least two amendments of the Constitution (2 and 4), and if you say, well it was an emergency then you are part of the problem. Can you say inalienable? Do you know what it means? Our new American nobility (congress and the cabinet) do not work for us, welcome to King George 2010. Ben Franklin said it best in two quotes:
-"...once the people realize they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic"
And
-"...those who would give up essential liberty for temporary security deserve neither liberty nor security."
When a government is willing to effectively say we have NO CHOICE and have to go buy a product or go to jail it should be more than obvious they are very much willing to trample on individual rights. When they decide the constitution doesn't apply it should be unquestionable. I am surprised the number isn't much higher. If the media were doing it's job it would be.
only 37% of stupid libersl, 63% of independents, but wait almost 7 in 10 republicans think this!!! Am I the only one who reads this and knows that CNN is intentionally saying 7 in ten rather than reporting a % much like independents, because 65% is nearly 7 in 10. one again the communist news network has denuded itself of unbiased news. This is why Fox is killing them in the ratings and why nearly 7 in 10 Americans believe Fox news is the most trust worthy.
Thank you cnn for reinforcing my dislike for your site.
Government is getting to big. And the proposed legislation that's on the table will expand Government into our living rooms. Things like: Cap and Trade will put such a hold on industry, and current energy sources that cost would go up on practically everything in the market. Any tax break a person may get is only given right back to the system.
The health care debate is more of the same. Government take over of a free market institution.
It's got socialistic over tones even if they don't what to actually say "Socialism"
Some of the things being done in the government, right this moment, border on the kinds of things you expect in a dictatorship.
I think the government of this country is teetering on the brink. That is what happens, when corruption becomes rampant.
They didn't tell us how many paranoid schizophrenics were intervied probably 7 out of 10 just looking at the numbers.
I'd like to know who the 30% of Republicans are who do NOT believe that government is a threat. I thought... oh, I don't know... that this was ... maybe... A CENTRAL TENET of Republican doctrine.
These RINOS need to be purged from the party.
Scariest words? "I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help..."
This is proof that civics is not taught in public schools any more. Additionally, it is proof that the republicans don't think for themselves, for if you asked them one question, which right do you fear losing, they could not tell you one.
Finally some others are starting to publish the truth instead of all the propaganda obama has been pushing!
Wait so republicans are scared of government interference in the rights of Americans, yet they are perfectly fine legislating morality and preventing gay unions?
Is it really the size or the actions of the government which are a problem? I am more concerned about the spying on Americans, torturing of people and other actions the government may take rather than simply the size of the government.
I am curious as to whether Republicans felt this way during the BUsh Administration when the government was equally large. Or does this poll simply reflect partisan politics?
I don't know why any Democrat would say the government is not a threat to individual rights, after 8 years of Bush/Cheney. Remember how they broke the FISA law, imprisoned people without charges, and tortured prisoners? Surely you haven't forgotten that, Dems?
It's also a violation of the rights of the middle class when Repugnants give tax breaks to their rich buddies, leaving the bill to working folks. And neo-cons are always threatening to take away rights from women and anyone who doesn't fit with their narrow version of "Christianity", which is mostly based on Old Testament eye-for-an-eye philosophy. In fact, the Party of No is all about restricting individual rights. That's why they should never be allowed back into power. Each time they are, they chisel away more individual liberty.
Let's see CNN anchors put a liberal spin on these results! lol
The people have spoken and it is unanimous, smaller government is the way to go.
Big deal. They finely figured out that bif gov. is a threat. They create a monstor and then have no way to control it., Well my question to all of these supposedly shocked people, How do you fix it?
It is now time to start doing polls that include those other than land lines CNN or at least say so in your set up because for me and most people I know do not have a land line but use the Internet or cell phones.
Also, why not inform what political association those being polled (IE how many Republicans vs Democrats) belong to.
Because for me theses polls are starting to become meaningless if they do not at least try to be impartial.
Why is this a surprise to anyone? The Founding Fathers knew that the single biggest threat to the liberties they fought for was an oppressive government. Not a distant government imposed by a conquering enemy, but OUR OWN governemnt. That's why they wrote the Constitution the way they did, so that it would keep the federal government LIMITED. But thanks to the liberal left, activist courts, and apathetic conservatives, the Consititution has been bastardized and outright subverted. Its been done insidiously over the last 40 years since FDR, but now Obama isn't even trying to hide his Marxist ideology.
Our government has been under siege from special interest groups and lobbyists representing corporations for years. The people of this country have not had any representation long before the present administration. Government could be compared to "urban sprawl" under the Bush/Cheney administration as it grew in leaps and bounds, limiting more and more of the average American's freedoms. And providing and showing less and less concern for the average working person.
I believe until the senate & congress can get their act together, and represent and work for the American people, they should not be able to receive any salary. Obviously they're not hurting enough. I think it's time to put a hold on any paychecks to any elected official who isn't working in the best interest of the average American worker. Jobs & health care should be paramount.
What is shocking is that 44% don’t understand that it is a threat to our freedoms and how so few people understand that the constitution was meant to limit the government not limit the people. It is also sickening how so many people will trade their value as individuals for phantom government comforts. My rights should end where yours begin and so on, that is the bottom line and I would rather be poor and destitute than to conform to mediocrity & be a subject of the government.
The Feds are obviously a threat to both our personal liberty and to our economic future. The Health Bill is a perfect example. Obama et al are totally ignoring the will of the great majority of Americans and trying to ram a bill thru that will greatly limit my personal choice over my body, my family'e health, and my finances. The same is true for the Cap and Trade Bill, the EPA regulating carbon, the Endangered species act which is ruining agriculture in California, etc, etc.
Obama is a statist and a Euro-style socialist. The Dems have become the new fascists (who were socialists by the way).
ONLY 37% of Democrats agree? And those Democrats are all agreeing that the federal government is so large and powerful that it poses a threat to all our rights and freedoms????? That's huge. The Obama nation is crumbling from within. His bubble is no more impenetrable!
Ummm...hey CNN, just to clarify "The survey indicates a partisan divide on the question: only 37 percent of Democrats, 63 percent of Independents and nearly 7 in 10 Republicans"
37% is still pretty bad. I think this pretty much sums up the perspective of all hardworking americans, and it points out exactly what the Nancy Pelosi's of the US don't get. Our sentiment is 'do good, but do not EVER sacrifice the rights of one man to benefit the 'greater good', because that is always a ploy'.
I am not surprised that 37% percent of the Democrats are still STUPID! You cannot fix stupid. You can only elect more Scum like BO.
God!..... what a sorry mess we are in.......
only the failing CNN would find this a surprise.
THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN CABLE NEWS FOX has been reporting this for a LOOOOOOOONGGGGG time.
Actually, this shouldn't be a surprise at all. The whole reason that the Constitution contains a Bill of Rights is that the Founding Fathers of the Country saw government as a threat to people's rights. Accordingly, they passed a list of things that the government should not be allowed to do. This shouldn't be a shock at all.
Too Quote the far left .""" That 56 % "" doesn't know what they are talking about !
Oh Yea ! Wait until NOV !
Hard to believe cnn just figured this out.
Not surprising.
Of course they are a threat to the rights of citizens. Governments all over the world have consistently violated rights of the people they are supposed to "govern." Our Constitution was written with this in mind. The more power a government takes, the greater the chances that they will over step their boundaries.
"When a people fear their government there is tyranny, when a government fears the people there is liberty"
Thanks Fox and CNN.
It is good that 56% of the country has their heads out of .... the sand.
The "Bill of RIGHTS" was written SPECIFICALLY for times such as these. Though the LAW cannot STOP the depredations of a corrupt government, the Bill of RIGHTS alerts the People to the danger by the abuses of it BY the government. Just like warning lights on your dashboard ...... Roman General Sulla, "stop quoting the law, we have swords."
hopey and changy...the Leviathan has begun......
So are you happy about "the One" you were duped into voting for?
It's natural progression for a government to exceed it's limits.
Every so often there needs to be a reset button..
Guess it's time to press it!
As for fixing the government as it is, you can't fix stupid!
These politicians have no clue and are bought and sold by lobbiests.
Term limits and no access from lobbiests needs to be the law.
Ben Franklin's fears concerning the inability of the masses to effectively "rule" (consistently elect competent legislators to run a country (think Greece and Rome)) are coming true.....the easy swayed masses (the so-called independents) are part of the death throes of the Republic.....
November can't come fast enough!
Yeah republicans are crying about the power of government that was obtained under republican rule. How convenient. They are a threat, but remember who made them that way. The right and left are equally responsible for the power our government has.
Term limits for all govt positions and expiration of the patriot act would be a good start to stopping the momentum.
Big surprise that people who support the Dems (i.e. rely on them for handouts) don't think the Federal Government infringes on people's rights.
Though it should be a huge alarm bell to the Dems that 37% actually do think so.
I totally agree that the government has decided that it knows best, and WE, the people, are stupid. I say vote 99 percent of them out, and vote new people in...These people in Congress are egotistical, cocky, and demeaning.
This country is really starting to reek of paranoia.
I was actually more concerned about my rights under the bush admin who viewed the constitution as just a gd piece of paper. And they proved it with their actions.
The government ultimately has one job – to PROTECT the natural rights of its citizens. How did we let it come to this? Too many years of apathy and complacency I guess. The question now is what will you do to reverse this trend and restore your rights?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" – Benjamin Franklin
Big Gov`t was expanded greatly during the Bush years along with spending and "tax cuts". The Repubs don`t seem to be able or willing to "practice what they preach"
Conclusion: At least 44% of Americans have their heads in the sand.
Democrats side with big government. Hey CNN skip the poll and give me a call next time. I'll tell you this information for twenty bucks.
The Staffs are the problem. they are organized to protect their jobs and thus they protect their leaders. Ask any clean town how they do it. They tickets everybody and the city cleans up. In Congress we can only penalize the leaders thru elections and their staffs just go from office to office. They have no alliegence to anything except a paycheck and thus those around their leaders protect their turf at all costs. How else could pay, benefits, bonuses,m and pensions be always on the rise.
Hey CNN,
Why do you list specific percentages for democrats and independents, but say "nearly" for republicans? Don't give some specific percentages and some vague percentages. I have noticed this in a few different articles lately.
Try giving the actual numbers in all instances from now on.
Words are important. The writer/editor of this story used the phrase-
'only 37 percent of Democrats... say the federal government poses a threat to the rights of Americans.
That is a huge percentage of DEMOCRATS!
Our government is the problem.
Many trends predictors and financial/economy historians have been of late predicting social unrest. When people wake up to their sorry situation things will happen; like people flying airplanes into buildings and many more serious situations. The “Happy” wall street crowd are building their safe havens as we read. Maybe they see the writing on the wall. Politicians better see it as well.
Uh, Ya Think? Ya think Obama's Communism and corruption might be a threat to Rights? IMPEACH BARRY SOTORO !!!
These results really show the ignorance of the citizenry. Without a representative government, we wouldn't have any rights and the entire society would collapse. Go to China, where the gov't tells you what to do; go to Somalia were there's essentially no central gov't. We have a nasty habit of failing to think things through.
On another tack, what kind of poll is this? How were the questions actually worded? There's so much potential for all sorts of radical media spin, for the sake of advertising dollars, that I begin to have little faith in polls of any kind, conducted by anyone.
Big government got you down? Well, you can thank Ronald Reagan for that. He expanded the federal government more than any prez before him while running up the deficit more than every president before him combined.
And this was the guy who claimed that government was evil and should be shrunken. What a hypocrite! Wait, isn't hypocracy part of the GOP platform?
The government shouldn't have done anything to prevent a depression. I wonder what the polls would show then.
I guess the fear spewed at Faux news is working. Nice job Fox. Dividing the country? Mission Accomplished!
Why do people want to depend on the government to make choices for them? Take personal responsibility, make intelligent choices, plan for the future, and be a good parent (if applicable). The government should be augmenting our needs, not providing for our wants. The mentally ill, the phsycially handicapped, the elderly poor, and the short term welfare needy are examples of areas where the government and the private sector should step in and help. We have made it too easy to do nothing and be rewarded for it.
And the right believes that this huge monolithic all controlling Federal apparatus has been built up in the last 13 months?
It took a Chicago thug to awaken the sleeping giant that is the American citizen, but finally the giant is up and awake! The telling number here is the percentage of Demoncrats who welcome tyranny. As you can see though, they are FAR outnumbered by freedom lovers. The key now is are we just gonna talk about it, or are we gonna take the country back from the tyrannical few???
......on we the people can fix it. But if we keep sending the same ol' players back and expecting different results, I doubt we will. In my state we have Inhofe and Coburn....c'mon!!!! These morons can't fix anything but their own pocketbooks.........
You can't fool all the people all the time – unless they're Democrats.
Right on and more so. When the federal government provides assistance to the individual, it takes control of the individual. Does the Constitution assign those responsibilities to the federal government? I think not. It is time to take all these federal "assistance" programs before the Supreme Court and make a determination if they are legit In accordance with the Constitution.
Baloney...they certainly did not poll me or people that I know. Where are these polls being conducted in the deep South?
I guess these lizard brains who answered the poll would happily do without police protection, the military to protect us against terrorism, trash pickup, road construction, sewage maintenance, public education, utilities, insurance, consumer safety, parks, etc.
Well just look at yesterdays Dog & Pony show and how it ended with a THREAT to Reps to either join the Dems in TAKING OVER 1/6 of the economy or else be steamrollered by the Dems using reconciliation which has never been used for legislation.
My biggest fear is that the Republicans will take power again. Please electorate remember what they accomplished the last time you trusted them with power.
Fifty-six percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday say they think the federal government's become so large and powerful that it poses an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens. Forty-four percent of those polled disagree.
.....FYI the Federal Government = Democrat Party
We lost so many of our civil liberties and Constitutional rights under the Bush/Cheney fascist dictatorship. Now, so many are still at risk.
Some more banner reporting:
'The survey indicates a partisan divide on the question: only 37 percent of Democrats, 63 percent of Independents and nearly 7 in 10 Republicans'
So what you really mean is that everybody in the country understands that their freedoms are at risk, other than the left, who make up the minority as the country is more center right. To be honest, I am actually just as concerned that almost 4 in 10 liberals are concerned also...
Agreed.
Many of the practices put in place by the Bush Administration ARE a threat to our rights and freedoms.
The really sad thing is that the Obama Administration has done little, if anything, to correct the situation.
Neither party is anything of which I would be proud to be a member at this time.
The right-wing fear machine, led by FOX 'news' has succeeded in doing its job: dividing Americans against ourselves by making us fear one another.
Of the fifty six percent, how many individuals, their children, grandchildren, or parents, are collecting Veteran Benefits, Social Security, SSI, Pell Grants, student loans, receive Medicare or Medicaid, work for companies that receive government money, receive subsidies, have money in the bank guaranteed by the FDIC, etc, etc.? My taxes have not increased and folks still have their guns. I haven't seen any rights or freedoms taken from anyone. Our government is adversely affected by the inability of our elected officials to make sound decisions based on real facts and the media personalities who disseminate misinformation keep things stirred up for their own monetary gain and ratings.
It's not the government that is a threat to citizen's rights, but the influence of corporations and lobbyists. People don't have a say, MONEY does.
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~ Benjamin Franklin
And this is a surprise? just one example: The Patriot Act
When a president, and the speakers of the house, and speaker of the senate all have said things such as they will go against the will of the people to get whatever bill they want into effect, because they have the power, that they know better than the people what is good for them, and that they don't want or need bipartisanship that could add fuel to the distrust. Calling people who disagree names associated with evil doesn't help their cause either. And saying the the "Constitution is flawed", or that they have been able to get a different interpretation of what the Constitution says scares hell out of me too. Vote the tyrants out in 2010 then in 2012, then establish term limits.
What? I thought I was the only one who thought that. Maybe we should look at that Constitution thing again.
This is correct. what else can i add except that we the American people should change this fast!
"Love Your Country. Fear Your Goverment"
In Virginia I have seen houses kicked in and families destroyed, sometimes people even KILLED over literally TINY amounts of marijuana. Please help us America. Please help Virginia. I know SOMEBODY who can help us is reading this. They are punishing us with police, using them to enforce the least free state in our blessed Union. They use a "Commonwealth" tag to explain why we are never truly free. Please help our children before they take them away. Please.
This should be a shock to no one. The left wants more G'ovt contol over our lives (that's the 63% of liberals). One question for liberals.... Why can't you keep your greedy little fingers off other people's money. Use your own and develop a private system that gives you want you want...HANDOUTS!
It's good news that the Republicans and Independents are waking up... but I'm afraid a lot of Democrats have gone back to sleep now that Obama is president. I think if they had been reminded that the CIA was still part of government, that their percentage would be much higher... for that matter, had this poll been taken last year while Bush was still President, I bet it would have been higher than the Republicans.
And this from CNN. WOW, didn't know they were capable of telling the truth.
Someone slap me, CNN has finally stopped catering to the far left and oogling over Obama? Nahhhh, couldn't be the ratings, could it?
It hurts having less viewers than local public access shows, doesn't it?
Pfff...typical Fox news propoganda....ummm..wait, this is CNN....
Question: How do you eat an elephant?
Answer: One bite at a time.
That's exactly what the Government has been doing to our rights since the beginning of this country.
Start fixing the problem by electing people to the house and senate that will listed to and do the will of WE THE PEOPLE.
Then 24 months later elect a president who cares about AMERICA
A really good start would be of course to impeach the moron we currently have to call POTUS. But no one currently in the house or senate has the balls to start that process.
I am sure there are members of the Democrat party that read this blog and I have a couple of questions for you. Does the Democrat Party still have the ideals and policies that you believed in when you joined the Democrat Party? How does it feel to be included with the Liberal/Progressive/Socialist elements of this society? If you feel comfortable with your answers after honestly answering the questions then by all means remain a Democrat. If not, you know the alternative.
With the party of 'ignore the people' in power, represented by Obama, Pelosi, and Reid, what can you expect? And the majority is absolutely right.
If the government needs to get bigger than it is now in order to rein in
out-of-control corporations, I'm all for it. I'd rather be governed by big gov than by large and corrupt corporations as we are now, or more fearfully by the ever encroaching church sayers.
I'm not so afraid of our government as I am of people who vote strictly along party lines or people who don't vote at all. We should all take responsibility for the folks WE elected into office. Quit jumping on every political bandwagon that comes along and start paying attention to the issues that affect us all. Contact your reps in congress and tell them what you think–don't just send form letters. The media shouldn't dictate the way we think.
Why do we switch from percentages to fractions (7/10) when giving the breakdown? Strange.
Who are the people who don't think it? Fed and State employees and benefit recipients of all kinds. That's about 40%. They don't bite the hand that feeds them. The rest of us are just units to be juiced, or else.
Where were those 7 in 10 republican voices when Bush was spying on Americans without a warrant and Cheney was torturing anyone he wanted to? If government has grown too large and too intrusive it's because republicans stood mute for Bush's entire presidency. It was Bush that oversaw the largest growth in govenrment in a generation along with the greatest errosion of liberty and freedom in the nation's history. Republicans NEVER said "No" to Bush and Cheney. I guess they think they can make up for it now by saying NOTHING but "No" now.
lies and fear mongering from GOP is what is driving the polls. CNN please, you can do better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Of course they're a threat....they're the biggest corporation in this country and they control our money and rights. As Mark Levin says, a government that has control over what kind of toilet you can put in your own home has all the control they'll ever need.
It's striking to see the difference of opinion between democrats and the rest of the voting public. They're about as far out of the mainstream as the president and congress at this point. November can't come soon enough!
From a first glance this is a pretty idiotic poll. I'm not sure what rights were specified in the poll. Were any? What rights are being threatened? The right to have health insurance if you have a pre-existing illness? The right to collect social security? The right to collect unemployment insurance? The right to send your child to a public, non-denominational school? The right to choose whether or not one wants an abortion? I'm not sure what the fear is here. i think there is fear, but it is the fear of our economic stability which is being confused with rights. We fought two wars (one definitely unnecessary) and got tax breaks. Now the bill has come due. Now our nation has to pay off its credit card debt.
Thanks Obama!!
Change we can believe in!
What do you think we been saying for the last two years. You are a litte late to the party CNN. Wake up!! Both Bush and Obama have been "transforming" America into socialism. The American people have known this for two years now........where have you been. Oh, I know your head up your butt and ingnoring the signs. Go figure! You wonder why your ratings are falling..........because you don't tell the truth and refuse to say anything negative about Obama and his mafia henchmen! Wake Up!!
They'd better do something about it quick.
Interesting how you changed from 63% to 7 out of 10 when reporting the results. 7of 10 is 70%, so independents and Republicans are actually very closely aligned. I am not surprised that you tried to skew the presentation.
This is a remarkable bit of data. It almost single handedely demonstrates the differences between American citizens and European citizens.Could it be that our constitution specifically states the risksof a too big,too powerful government we take it seriously.
America has been complaining about the pleathera of "bureaucrats" for eons and yet their numbers continue like an avalanche, suffocating America's basic rights and freedoms, regulating EVERYTHING, eliminating an individual's right to choose, to think for oneself, or be secure in one's privacy. NOW THAT'S POWER! Politicians have long felt it their right to infringe on the masses with their greed, self-importance and grasp of power. To imagine the casting of one's vote for an honest and forthright politician that might make a difference is sheer folly. It's the politician with the richest coffer that gets elected and Washington will surely corrupt anyone with any sense of integrity who inadvertently is elected. Representative and Senator terms should have a limit –not a life-time membership. No one can withstand Washington's corruption for 30 or 40 years and call themselves a voice for the people.
... and the rest are public (Democrat) school graduates.
Gee, I thought there would be more at this point in time.
Only 56%? It's what I have long suspected: The other 44% is either stoned, drunk (aka in college), or stupid.
The way this President is trying to force things down the throats of Americans who have realized they don't want his kind of change... I can see why they are threatened.
The funny thing is that the conservatives whining about their rights being taken away were more than comfortable with the previous Administration listening in on our phone calls and detaining American citizens for years on end without charges or even a trial.
Just more prrof, as if we needed anymore, that the despicable campaign tactics of the Greedy Old Pigs has eroded the confidence of the American public in thier own government. What can you expect when party continually practices bald faced lies and half truths to gain their way in politics, pretty soon everyone loses trust in the government.
WHAT?
Why now? Why didn't all these whiners take to the streets when George WWWWW Bush was in the process of eroding our civil rights, having telecom companies spying on us, capturing our data, and tightening our ability to move freely in the country and to Canada?
Why now? WHAT? What are these people talking about? Whine to the Republicans who TOOK YOUR FREEDOMS AWAY!
You're all a bunch of looney-tune wackos!
Our Founders went to war over far less than we are subjected to now.
. . .and this is a shock to no one.
Also, this (everything) is George Bush's fault.
The freedom grab has been going on for years, people. Our freedom has been dying the death of a thousand cuts. No single BIG jump to stealing our freedom has or will occur. This process is a slow erosion and designed to be that way so that anyone spekaing about it will be labeled a nut. By the time enough people realize what has been happening, it will be too late. We will be without our guns and the government will control our access to health care, food and access to our money and, therefore, they will own us. Laugh and mock now, people, but in 25 years I will be crying as I tell you "I told you so."
A 60/40 split in the senate that votes 60/40 is a partisan divide. CNN would also call it partisan if 37% of those 60, let's call them democrats for arguments sake, voted with the 40, who we'll call republicans. On the other hand, if 30% of the 40 republicans voted with the 60 democrats, well, that would be bipartisan.
Perspective, Pablo Steinhauser. Perspective.
Does CNN ever interpret a poll objectively, or are its employees merely making up news stories to agree with their own political philosophies, regardless of the poll results?
The real conclusion is that MOST Americans (the total of democrats, independents, and republicans) believe that government is dangerous – that it is too big and powerful. We also believe that it is the greatest source of corruption – legal and moral – in America.
I agree. I'm even reluctant to put my full name in this comment. We are moving toward a totalitarian state. I never thought it would happen in the USA. The press has become complacent with truth.
I love my Country but don't trust my governmant
CNN is reporting this? Wow, that means things are way worse than I thought for BO. When even CNN has this kind of take, I would say we are looking at a Democrat bloodbath in November.
Funny that so many GOP respondents think the government is a threat given that it was the Bush administration that tried to do away with Habeas Corpus and had the military and NSA listening in on the phone conversations of American citizens without having to secure a warrant.
Yeah, I for one feel much safer with the government now.
what happen to limited goverment? States Right? what is next socialism, a dictorship? Time for more TeaParties, this time a real party.
we are living under a communist government.
It isn't the government.
It's the socialists in the Democratic Party, and their "Dear Leader."
And, I don't know what the hell he is.
With this loser president, what did you think was going to happen. He HATES America...
That is not a "partisan divide". It only shows how much liberals are either A. out of touch or B. clinging to their biases.
The natural inertia of government (all government) is to grow. Our Federal system is out of control. Just because "there ought to be a law" doesn't mean in falls to the Federal gov. to provide it. Just because we need health care reform, doesn't make it the job of Feds, or make it Constitutional.
We have 50 states capable of making strides if the Feds would back off.
I bet Republicans did not think that when their guy was in charge.
Where was all this outrage when Bush and Cheney were taking away our rights?
My daddy always said "Fear government, pray for the country." What a wise man!
Hello
Only CNN is surprised, most of us have known this since King Obama took over. Everything he does seems to come from Presidente Chavezes play book.
If you don't believe that ever expanding government is a threat to your liberties then you simply aren't paying attention to history...
obama is looking for any excuse to declare Martial Law! He will have to be forcibly removed from government. We are heading for a Civil War in America, brought to you by democrats!
I think the number is higher. The IRS are looking to purchase shotguns. The police departments should be able to protect them. Why the shotguns?
The question is, will this stop Obama?
It's getting to the point to where I hope some Democrats get together and go visit the President and tell him in no uncertain terms.
STOP!
I don't know why Obama can't try to go win the war in Afghanistan or work on jobs. Those would both be notable achievements. But instead he's trying to destroy healthcare for those who have it for those who don't.
People, that's madness!
A wolf in sheeples' clothing.
Really? Are you kidding me? Where was all the outrage when the Patriot Act (an ACTUAL violation of citizens' rights) was passed?
This fear-mongering, hateful diatribe served up by the fanatics in the GOP tent has got to stop. What a joke this is.
I find it interesting that two years ago, democrats would have polled closer to 70%. Just another example of Obama=good......Bush=bad
Most Americans are too brainwashed by corporate propaganda to see that unfettered global capitalism is the root cause of most of their problems. But don't worry about it, consumerbots, those big corporations have your best interest at heart. Sorry you lost your job, now go to Wal-Mart and buy some shoddy, made in china, lead-painted baby clothes. Have a nice day!
Let's see, the Republicans started the Patriot Act, NCLB, wire tapping, spending like drunks, increasing our deficit, started two wars and have generally been incompetent while pushing 'smaller government.' Now, the Dems have to clean up the GOP mess, deal with Republican obstructionism, lies and deceit, and deal with their own spinelessness. Yep, we're screwed.
Well, I guess this does mean that the democrat party is done in November.
Absolute power is corrupting and no better example than what has happened in Washington. The federal government under any party has expanded and with that taken liberty away from the states and therefore the citizens. The healthcare summit showed the arrogance and disconnect of politicians who sit upon gilded thrones of self importance and supposed wisdom. Elections mean something... it means the citizens have selected for a brief moment individuals to serve them. I have never been a believer in term limits until now... across the board.
The report on eroding rights in this country comes from CNN. The most left wing reporting of the cable media. You have to wonder if congress will believe it now.
The 44% that does not think the government is a threat to citizens rights, must be employed by the government or receiving entitlements from the government.