It's Time to Wake Up

We are constantly being bombarded with the rhetoric that Americans are fed up with big government. It sounds great, but when you dig deeper and ask folks for specifics, it is obvious that this view is more theoretical than reality. 

A poll recently released from Hofstra University, which surveyed suburban voters unveiled that the majority of Americans are adamantly opposed to cutting benefits or regulations when the talk turns to specifics.

* More than seven in ten suburban residents say that they favor cutting federal spending in general. But when you get specific, 87 percent oppose cutting Social Security and Medicare benefits. And 65 percent support increasing government spending on infrastructure and public works projects.

* A majority, 51 percent, says government regulation of business usually “does more harm than good.” But when you get specific, nearly two thirds of them say the environment should be protected by doing-- “whatever it takes.” Even when you add into the equation that regulation might cost jobs, a bare majority still say strict environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. 

I say enough is enough! It’s time to wake up and realize that the grandiose “campaign speak” that we have been listening to is meant to divide and conquer. It sounds good that big government is bad and spending must be reeled in. But in reality, what has been painted as bad and out of control are programs and services that we all need and depend on.

It is time for all of us to take a good hard look at what the candidates are saying and make an informed decision on who we elect. This election is too important to get caught up in party loyalty. It is about maintaining our quality of life! 

Jim Centner, SOAR Director