piece de spam
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 9:57 amShowed up in inbox. curiouser and curiouser
Good afternoon,
I wanted to let you know the Reason Foundation has just fully released its December Reason-Rupe poll of 1,011 Americans on landlines (505) and cell phones (506). Full topline results and demographic breakdowns can be found here.
Here are some of the top level findings:
Health Care Not only are Americans unfavorable toward the federal health care law, but they prefer the health care system in place before the passage of the ACA, and support is waning for key components of the law.
53% are unfavorable toward the health care law, 41% are favorable, read more
57% disapprove of Obama's handling of the law, 38% approve, read more
55% prefer the health care system in place prior to the passage of the ACA, 34% prefer the ACA system, read more
47% say the health care law roll-out has decreased their confidence in government to solve problems, read more
2/3rds of Americans oppose requiring younger Americans pay more for health care even if it helps pay for the uninsured, elderly, sick, or expanded coverage for everyone like maternity and mental health care
57% believe low-cost low-coverage health insurance policies should be allowed, 37% say prohibited
Obama and the Role of Government Americans, particularly older millennials, have become more critical of President Obama and disagree with the president's view on the role of government.
52% generally disagree with President Obama on the "proper size and power of the government", 38% generally agree
54% say government is generally burdensome and impedes people from improving their lives, 41% say government is primarily a source of good and helping people improve their lives, read more
57% disagree that the Obama administration "is the most transparent administration in history" as he contended, 37% agree
Obama is underwater on approval, 50% disapprove, 47% approve
57% disapprove of Obama's handling of health care, 38% approve
Minimum Wage Americans want to raise the minimum wage unless it costs something; however, they remain unconvinced that raising the minimum wage will impact jobs.
Like other polls, Americans overwhelmingly support raising the minimum wage (72% favor, 26% oppose), read more
But 57% would oppose and 28% favor if raising the min. wage causes layoffs or fewer hires, read more
However, 58% don't think raising the min. wage will reduce jobs (35% no impact, 23% increase jobs), 39% say it will reduce jobs, read more
62% view minimum wage jobs as stepping-stones to help lower-skilled or younger workers gain skills, 23% view them as long-term positions for established workers to support their families, read more
Even Americans who already believe minimum wage increases will harm jobs need to be explicitly reminded of the possible cost, or they will support a wage increase, read more
Gun Control
63% say tighter restrictions on buying and owning guns would not be effective in preventing criminals from obtaining guns, 32% think it would be effective, read more
Only 16 percent consider "stricter gun control laws" as the most important factor that could have helped prevent the tragedy from occurring. Gun control came in fourth after "better mental health treatment" (27%), " better parenting" (22%), and "armed guards in schools" (20%), read more
Nanny State Americans favor allowing many activities and products that governments are busy trying to ban, like e-Cigarettes, genetic testing kits, trans fats, and more.
55% say people should be allowed to buy genetic testing kits that provide info about a person's DNA, 37% say these kits should be prohibited, read more
60% say 3-D printed guns should be prohibited, 30% say they should be allowed, read more
65% say gambling in online poker games should be allowed, 32% say prohibited, read more
Majorities also oppose prohibitions on e-cigarette use in public places, violent video games, caffeinated energy drinks , and foods with trans fats, read more
Criminal Justice Americans believe judges can make better sentencing decisions on a case-by-case basis than will mandatory minimum prison sentences.
71% favor eliminating mandatory minimum prison sentences for nonviolent offenders, 24% oppose, read more
58% say local police departments using drones, military weapons, and armored vehicles are "going to far" 37% say these are necessary for law enforcement purposes