“Americans are screaming at the top of their lungs to STOP, and yet
Democrats here in Washington continue to forge ahead. Why? Because
they’re not listening.
”Republicans have been listening to the American people, and we’re going
to continue to listen to the American people. But right now, we need
Americans to stand with us to make sure that this bill never, ever, ever
becomes law.” — then-House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) on March 16, 2010
“For all those who supported the health law, it’s an opportunity to
re-evaluate your vote. To listen to your constituents who are
desperately trying to get your attention. You can say, ‘Perhaps this was
a mistake. We can do this better.’ Or you can continue to dismiss the
majority of the people in this country as not knowing what they’re
talking about.” — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), The Hill, Feb. 1, 2011
Remember when congressional Republicans had a unified message against the president’s domestic agenda that mirrored the statements above? They told us repeatedly, and effectively, that the president and Congress “are not listening to the American people.”
Now comes a series of public opinion polling demonstrating the tables have turned and the congressional Republicans are the ones out of step with America.
A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows the public delivering a strong rebuke to many of the cornerstone principles of the Republican agenda. The poll found that 78 percent of Americans oppose cutting spending on Medicare; 69 percent disapprove of cuts to Medicaid; and 72 percent support raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans — those making more than $250,000 per year.
A Marist-McClatchy poll released this week showed that 80 percent of Americans — including 73 percent of Republicans — oppose any cuts to Medicare and 64 percent support raising taxes on the wealthy, including 61 percent of independents.
Keep in mind, when it comes to the tax breaks for the wealthy, the Republicans insist that these tax breaks are necessary to spur economic growth and create jobs. But they weren’t in place during the prosperous 1990s. Since they were put in place in 2001, we’ve seen a steady economic decline, an exploding debt and a crippling deficit. They’ve had 10 years to create jobs, and they haven’t.
What is clear from the data is that Washington Republicans are pushing a plan that America doesn’t want: more tax breaks for millionaires and global corporations that don’t pay U.S. taxes while pushing to end Medicare as we know it and slashing other benefits for seniors and children.
Someone isn’t listening to the American people.
David Di Martino is CEO of Blue Line Strategic Communications Inc. The views expressed in this blog are his and do not necessarily represent Blue Line’s. Follow david: @bluelinedd.