Pew Research has produced a fascinating quiz, and I’d like to see how well our readers do. It’s easy to do, just 12 multiple choice questions with 3 more for demographics. I got all 12, but don’t be disappointed if you do not. I spend several hours a day researching. Please Comment with your results. Tomorrow, I’ll post an article on the quiz and compare our results to t6he country as a whole.
To take the quiz, Click Here.
Yesterday I posted a major editorial in which I analyzed the causes of Coakley’s defeat in the Massachusetts special election for the Senate. Since then, I have heard pundit after pundit stating the need for more bipartisanship, the exact opposite of my conclusions. However, a new poll of Democrats and Independents who voted for Obama in 2008, but either voted for Brown or stayed home Wednesday backs my contentions.
Massachusetts voters who backed Barack Obama in the presidential election a year ago and either switched support to Republican Senate candidate Scott Brown or simply stayed home, said in a poll conducted after the election Tuesday night that if Democrats enact tougher policies on Wall Street, they’ll be more likely to come back to the party in the next election.
A majority of Obama voters who switched to Brown said that "Democratic policies were doing more to help Wall Street than Main Street." A full 95 percent said the economy was important or very important when it came to deciding their vote.
In a somewhat paradoxical finding, a plurality of voters who switched to the Republican — 37 percent — said that Democrats were not being "hard enough" in challenging Republican policies.
It would be hard to find a clearer indication, it seems, that Tuesday’s vote was cast in protest.
The poll also upends the conventional understanding of health care’s role in the election. A plurality of people who switched — 48 — or didn’t vote — 43 — said that they opposed the Senate health care bill. But the poll dug deeper and asked people why they opposed it. Among those Brown voters, 23 percent thought it went "too far" — but 36 percent thought it didn’t go far enough and 41 percent said they weren’t sure why they opposed it.
Among voters who stayed home and opposed health care, a full 53 percent said they opposed the Senate bill because it didn’t go far enough; 39 percent weren’t sure and only eight percent thought it went too far.
The firm Research 2000 conducted the post-election survey Tuesday night on behalf of three progressive organizations — the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Democracy for America and MoveOn.org.
Taken from interviews of 500 Obama backers who voted in the Senate election and 500 Obama backers who sat out the election, the firm discovered that 18 percent of Obama backers who voted in the Senate race ended up casting ballots for Brown.
Of that group, 82 percent said they favored a public option for insurance coverage, with 14 percent opposed. Of those who sat out the election, 86 percent favored the public option, while only seven percent opposed it. The findings suggests that progressive arguments that disappointed Obama supporters deserted have serious merit… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Huffington Post>
Just a moment ago, I heard Bitch McConnell say that the results of the election clearly show that the American people don’t the government taking over health care. Either he is lying, or he is a fool. Probably both. These results clearly show that the voters who gave Obama a landslide victory in that state oppose the health care bill because they favor a public option.
The voters sent a clear message. They are not happy with business as usual. They want change we can believe in. If Obama and the Democrats don’t get out of bed with the Banksters and the Corporate Criminals of Health Care, there will be hell to pay.
Here are the results of the latest poll:
And here are your comments:
From teabag this! on January 11, 2010 at 9:39 am.
poll should have included racist Democrat politicians like Harry Reid and Bill "bring me my coffee" Clinton
From Jo on January 9, 2010 at 8:51 pm.
Torture is not acceptable at any time, to anyone, or by anyone. Unless of course the form of torture is locking someone in a room with CDs of Susan Boyle playing over … and over … and over …
From Anon Paranoid on January 7, 2010 at 5:12 pm.
I’m against torture, however having said that I say waterboard all republicans, teabaggers, American Christian Taliban Terrorists and the whole previous administration with extra waterboarding for them.
After all according to Republicans as voiced by Dick Heinrich Himmler Cheney’s terrorist daughter Liz, waterboarding is not torture so waterboard her at least 6 times during a twenty four hour period.
Oh, I almost forgot Sean Hannity the coward who said he would be waterboarded for our troops and turned to show us the yellow streak down his back, waterboard him 6 times a day for a week then ask him if he was tortured.
God Bless.
From Linda on January 6 on January 6, 2010 at 3:35 pm.
I am not for torture of anyone, anywhere anytime. Today’s governmetal decisions are at best disturbing. On January 1, 2009, any adult receiving over $248.00 per month in medicaid benefits is reportedly ineligible for medicaid insurance coverage according to the a worker that approves medicaid coverage for adults. Now, follow that decision up with "Everyone will purchase insurance or risk being fined", and I have a COMMON SENSE QUESTION. Is is a prerequisite that the people who serve themselves, excuse me, us in Washington must sign an affidavit that they do not possess one shred of COMMON SENSE prior to running for the Senate or Congress. Additionally, IS ANYONE BUT ME TIRED OF THE DEMOCRAT/REPUBLICAN GULF!! After all, I am an AMERICAN, not a republican or a democrat. HANG THE PARTIES- WHERE IS JUSTICE, HONESTY, AND EQUALITY FOR ALL IN OUR NATION.
From Otis on January 4, 2010 at 7:46 pm.
I voted ‘Other’ since I couldn’t have multiple choices.
I think that GOP Leg., teabaggers, FOX news commentators, the annoying evangelicals, and anyone else that condoned, approved, and/or encouraged torture are first on the list.
I will include Wall Street CEOs on principle.
From Grung_e_Gene on January 4, 2010 at 1:17 pm.
Torture is not acceptable.
From Annette on January 3, 2010 at 9:33 am.
I voted nobody, because I believe we have to take the high road and stand on our convictions and our patriotism. If we lower ourselves to the standard of the idiot republican’s then we are no better than they are.
From TWM on January 3, 2010 at 6:08 am.
Torture Wall Street CEO’s with a 75% tax on any earnings above $400,000 no matter where in the world they say they earned it 😀
.
From Kevin Kelley on January 3, 2010 at 12:55 am.
I had selected other before I had realized that there was an option for nobody, but regardless, I would have to say that although there are numerous groups that I believe could benefit from a good torture, such as the tea party protesters, or those who rile them up, like Glenn Beck, I would have to take the high road and not torture any of them.
While they may feel it is okay to violate basic human rights for the benefit of their comfort level, I have principles and despite not being religious, I feel I have a spirituality that the religious right claim they have…
Even Pope John Paul II forgave his attempted assassin. While I am not saying any person should be absolved of their sins, I do believe it is important to not be distracted by the temporary.
From Lisa G. on January 2, 2010 at 7:01 pm.
I voted for GOP Legislators – because they think it’s ok to do to everyone else. Why should we reserve all that fun for Gitmo or other prisoners? Let’s spread a little of that around. Besides, they’re not doing anything in the Congress anyway but obstructing decent legislation so they have plenty of time on their hands. I’ll throw the DINOs in there as well, because they are essentially useless as well. They can even invite their benefactors (Big Oil, Big Pharma, Ins. Cos., Military Contractors/MIC, and anyone else. We’ll hold it at that Supermax prison where they’re gonna put the Gitmo prisoners. It’ll be like a big, fun party. Water-boarding for everyone. Bush and Cheney get to go first though. 😉
Nobody was the clear winner here. A few had fun with this, voting and commenting tongue-in-cheek, but all kidding aside, there is only one right answer. It is never acceptable to torture.
Yesterday I banned an individual from commenting here at Politics Plus. This is the first time I have found that necessary in this nor the previous incarnation of this blog. The reason was quite simple. The individual refused to abide by the rules here. I have long said that Politics Plus has only one rule. In truth, it has two. The second is Thou shalt not SPAM! I don’t really count that one, because that’s a universal rule, virtually everywhere.
The one rule is in our header, where everyone can see it. All points of view are welcome, but personal attacks against me or anyone who comments here are forbidden. Trading insults never changes anyone’s mind. This is not difficult. It simply means that we treat each other with respect. If you want to post an insult to a public figure, say Bush, that’s OK. I don’t like Bush either. If you want to insult Jeff Merkley, whom I fully support and worked to elect, that’s OK too. I defend your right to your opinion. But, even if Traitor Joe LIEberman ever posts a comment here (God forbid!), please treat him with respect in your replies.
The individual I banned insulted another commenter. Then he insulted the entire blog. I deleted his offending comments, and warned him. He protested that because the commenter and I had insulted public figures, he was being treated unfairly and insulted me . He ignored his warning, and I will delete all future comments from him. He then commented that he was being banned only because he disagrees with me. If he knew anything about this blog, he would know that these pages have multiple comments from people disagreeing with me from all sides of the political spectrum. Sometimes, they even inspire me to change my mind. The thread I linked is an excellent example, because it contains a disagreement that does violate the rule and one that does not.
So please don’t feed the trolls. They love drama, and if you get into an insult war with them, that’s exactly what they want. By all means, refute their arguments, but please don’t return their insults in kind. A few years back, a troll insulted another blogger, whom I considered a friend. He responded with insults back. The two had quite a little flame war. When I returned and found it, to be fair I had to delete the insulting comments from both and warn both. My friend deleted PP from his blogroll and had not been back since. He has also refused to reply to me on his and other blogs ever since.
I don’t want to lose any more friends. So please, demonstrate to trolls that you are better than they are by replying to them with respect. Leave the insults for me. I will deal with them. OK?
This week I’ve been swamped. Yesterday the morning was taken up by a doctor appointment and the afternoon with a visit from my oxygen company doing tests on me. I barely managed to reply to comments and only visited one blog. Today is my volunteer day with a therapy group for former prisoners. I should get some visiting done tomorrow.
This morning I deleted a couple comments from a right winger who ignored the blog’s only rule, that we treat each other with respect, regardless of views. I ask you all to use restraint in replying to such individuals, and reply to them respectfully. Do not respond to them in kind. I will deal with it as soon as I am able.
Please be patient with me.
Today;s Jig Zone puzzle took me 4:23. To do it, Click Here. How did you do?
Here’s your cartoon:
Happy hump day!!
Here are the results from the GOP Christmas Present Poll.
And here are your comments:
From Jack Jodell on December 19, 2009 at 10:06 am.
They should all get enemas of boiling water!
From Lisa G. in reply to Jack Jodell on December 19, 2009 at 12:18 pm.
I really like this, but, I’m voting for radio active isotopes. Not only would that hurt like hell, but it would eventually make them really sick. Or boiling mercury; I’m sure we can find a way to make that happen.
From Infidel753 in reply to Lisa G. on December 23, 2009 at 4:11 pm.
How about boiling radioactive hydrochloric acid?
From Lisa G. in reply to Infidel753 on December 26, 2009 at 12:39 pm.
I like that even better!
From Luckyjoe on December 18, 2009 at 8:20 am.
A sweeping victory in 2010 over the progressive/marxists. And though you don’t believe in Christianity I will wish you all a very Merry Christmas, but not a Happy New Year as we all know that in 2010 the tea party candidates will be taking out the progressive trash. The stars are no longer aligned for your kind. Too much too fast has spelled your demise. It couldn’t have happened to a bigger bunch of idiots.
From Judi P in reply to Luckyjoe on December 19, 2009 at 11:28 am.
You’ve got to be kidding! I see you get your facts from FOX. And if you are an example of a Christian, I’m glad I don’t attend the S. Baptist Church any longer. Typical RW response is to resort to name calling, threats and joining a tea party. God have mercy on YOUR soul.
From Diamond, Johnny Diamond in reply to Luckyjoe on December 18, 2009 at 11:01 am.
Good job . Couldn’t have said it better .
Thank you. And let’s hope it’s one term for the first muslim born marxist pres.
From Lisa G. in reply to Diamond, Johnny Diamond on December 18, 2009 at 8:45 pm.
Keep listening to your God Rush Limbaugh and watching Faux News. Your breed will be dying out soon. Merry Christmas!
From Russ M on December 18, 2009 at 12:49 am.
Letters from their constituents demanding a public option.
From TomCat on December 17, 2009 at 4:41 am.
Hunting trips with Dead-eye Dick Cheney
From Lisa G. on December 16, 2009 at 5:56 pm.
Preferably to a country that they can’t return from in Africa. And Lieberman must go with them. I hear Somalia (Mogadishu is supposedly like the Paris of Africa) is really nice this time of year. Merry Christmas assholes.
From Infidel753 on December 16, 2009 at 1:30 pm.
I voted for coal, since these guys love fossil fuel so much.
From Punky Penny on December 16, 2009 at 1:10 pm.
Consciences
From rjs on December 16, 2009 at 12:27 pm.
how about givin them lieberman?
From TomCat in reply to rjs on December 17, 2009 at 4:34 am.
Don’t they already have LIEberman?
Permanent vacations was the clear winner here. This poll was intended to be humorous, and the off the wall responses were tongue-in-cheek, except for the diatribe from a member of the rabid right.
Do you care to discuss your vote. My vote (already in a comment) was for hunting trips with Dead-eye. I chose that, because I hoped it would get a laugh.
To finish off the year, there is a new poll on the light side, including a couple answers to please visitors from the GOP. Enjoy!
Here are the results of the first December poll.
And here are your comments:
Showing comments 1–6 of 6.
From rjs on December 9, 2009 at 5:07 pm.
you dont have an answer in your poll suitable for me; how about an enraged and sickened catagory?
From Rich C. on December 7, 2009 at 9:50 pm.
I would like to know any other option .. Talk to them??? … yea right!!!! He should have sent more.
From Teri S on December 6, 2009 at 9:10 am.
We have been screwed. It’s all been a total sham especially for those of us who voted for him.
From Lisa G. on December 3, 2009 at 4:47 am.
Pretty hacked off. I knew he was gonna do it, but I don’t have to like it.
From TWM on December 2, 2009 at 5:12 am.
The question of satisfaction is premature and would be better posed in 90 days.
From Lisa G. in reply to TWM on December 4, 2009 at 12:06 pm.
No, he asked about the decision, not the results. It’s perfectly reasonable to ask about the decision now.
Very dissatisfied was the clear winner.
Do you care to discuss your vote? I voted somewhat dissatisfied. I could not justify very dissatisfied, because I voted for him knowing that he planned to escalate. However, the revelation of the extent of corruption in the regime of the Bush/GOP puppet Karzai, even to the extent of a GOP style election theft, changed the circumstances, and I believe Obama should have adapted his position on that basis.
The new poll is quite a bit lighter. Enjoy!
Yesterday I caught up on comments here and visits to other blogs. I hope to stay caught up today. I’ll be swapping out the poll sometime this afternoon, so if you haven’t voted yet, please do.
Today’s Jig Zone Puzzle took me 4:15. To do it, Click Here. How did you do?
Here’s your cartoon:
What would you like to discuss?
