Reality has a well known liberal bias . . .
Even Republicans are split 49-49% on raising taxes on the richest 2%! Looks like if you wanted to reach across the isle in bipartisanship one could try making a strong case for raising taxes on the rich.
For some pro analysis, I give you Adam Serwer of The American Prospect
I'm surprised no one's mentioned this yet, but most of the proposals that have the most support--taxing the wealthy, winding down military commitments overseas, and raising the contribution cap on Social Security are all things liberals support.
Adam Serwer
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And on the flip side.
Meanwhile, Americans overwhelmingly opposed all the things Republicans want to do, from cutting infrastructure spending to raising the Social Security retirement age to cutting aid to the poor . . .
Adam Serwer
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Moar below the fold.
I don't think you need to be a political science major to figure out how to win over independent voters based on these numbers. If Democrats were to take a firm stand on the issues that Democratic and Independent voters care about the most, not only would it be a good thing for the Democratic party, it would be a good thing for this country.
Adam Serwer notes that the only GOP idea that had any popularity in this poll was taxing employer provided health plans, which made me laugh because we all no Grover Norquist will never allow any Republican to vote for any tax increase, you might as well try to get Dracula to try your garlic. On the other hand, Serwer attributes the popularity of reducing foreign aid to "Americans' well documented misperceptions" about how much the US actually spends on foreign aid compared to the rest of our budget. Only 1-2.6% of our budget goes to foreign aid. On the other hand, Military spending accounted for 58% of all discretionary spending in FY2010.
But just imagine what it would do for "voter enthusiasm" on the Democrats side if they'd just, I don't know, support policies that the public overwhelmingly support, you know, the kind of ideas that clearly benefit the working class. That kind of thing.
Now, I'm not suggesting we put Tim Geithner on an iceblock and set him adrift in the Atlantic Ocean, but it would be a good start.
What this really breaks down to is simple. Based on ideas alone, the public likes Liberal ideas and doesn't like GOP ideas, and the more time the public has to learn about Republican candidates (think Sharron Angle, Christine O'Donnell and the rest of the Koch driven teabagger gang) and their crappy ideas the more they are left with only two other real options, vote Democrat or don't vote at all. Isn't it about time the Democratic party STOOD UP for what the public supports, like focusing on jobs and education and ending these damn wars while taxing the super rich slightly more so we can pay for George W. Bush's massive deficits? And if we can't do all that, we should at least try my Tim Geithner set adrift on a block of ice idea.
Peace and love to all.
You can follow me on Twitter @JesseLaGreca