Only 28% of Americans view the Republican Party favorably, the lowest mark for either party in Gallup polling dating back to 1992, when they started asking that question.
The latest Gallup survey, taken amid an ongoing federal government shutdown for which most have blamed Republicans so far, plunges the GOP's favorability levels 10 points from where they were in September. More than six in 10 Americans (62%) now view the Republican Party unfavorably, also a record-high in Gallup polling.
The previous low for the GOP came in 1999, when only 31% of people viewed the party favorably. That was during the impeachment proceedings of President Clinton.
Democrats have a more measured favorable-to-unfavorable split at 43-49. The 43% favorability level is down four points from last month.
And President Barack Obama's approval rating stands at 44%, compared with 51% who disapprove.
Here's a chart of the historical trend:
I take exception to aspects of both the Democratic and Republican party platforms.
ReplyDeleteRight now, I am furious over our nation's national debt. An average family of four now owes about $211,000 toward the national debt. Assuming just 3% annual interest, the average family of four must pay $6330 a year -- that's $527 per month -- in federal taxes to cover that interest. And that doesn't include ever paying down the debt. Both Democrats and Republicans have created and approved the budgets over the past 20 years that created our national debt.
The fact that our government ran up such a debt is grossly incompetent and irresponsible. This is a horrific legacy to leave to our children who will surely curse our generation for it.
Make no mistake, this is not sustainable. Our nation cannot borrow forever. We need major reductions in entitlements if we will want to solve the fiscal nightmare that both Democrats and Republicans created.
Yes, we need major reductions in entitlements. As I stated, the average family of four must pay at least $6000 per year in federal taxes to cover just the interest on our national debt. And paying off the debt in 30 years, that same average family of four would have to pay another $6000 per year. That is a combined total of $12,000 per year per family of four in federal income tax to remove our national debt burden. Keep in mind that $12,000 per year of federal tax only covers the debt. The federal government still wants additional thousands of dollars in taxes from an average family of four to pay for entitlements, the military, and government employees. But even without adding anything additional, that $12,000 per year represents almost 25% of the median household income of about $51,000 per year. People making $51,000 per year will be financially devastated to pay 25% of their income to the federal government. Keep in mind that the median household also has to pay an additional 7.65% federal medicare/medicaid tax, state income tax, property tax, and sales tax. Combining all of those can approach 50% of median household income. That spells financial ruin for the median household and the nation as a whole. And that is why any politician who droves us into this mess sucks.
- TruthBeTold
I agree.
DeleteI've been saying for a long time that we should get rid of both major parties. Their answers to everything have become cliches that don't address our real problems and needs.
ReplyDeleteHere we go again, another time the toothless grin hillbilly promotes killing off the government
DeleteHere we go again, Mike's buddy Jim can't help but twist people's statements and lie about what they say.
DeleteJim, generally, I ignore you, but here I have to respond. Nothing in what I said advocates killing anyone or making any change in our political system. As I've said many times here and elsewhere, I want Americans to vote out the Democrats and the Republicans and replace them with Greens and Libertarians. Our two major parties have shown themselves to be fundamentally corrupt and incapable of producing any good policy.
DeleteNow, will you stop lying about me?
It's cute how this troll demands that I do what I just did.
DeleteBut Mikeb, perhaps you can explain something to me. Do you believe in gun control because your fellow advocates are such enraged and irrational people?
So you refuse to explain why you think it's ok to take the law into your own hands, or why it's ok to take over the Calif. government just because they have gun control you disagree with.
DeleteThere are other examples, but again, please explain your anarchistic, traitorous, criminal advocacy of criminal actions you promote?
Jim, I ignore you when you make stupid comments. I have refused to explain nothing. But I see no reason to carry on a conversation with a raging maniac.
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