I think government bailouts of failing companies are terrible, because in the grand scheme of things they aren’t in the best interest of our country and our free market-based economy. And according to a new poll conducted jointly by the Associated Press and the National Constitution Center, a great majority of my fellow Americans agree with me.
I must say that the lop-sided results of the poll surprised even me. A paltry 38% of Americans favor government intervention to save failing companies, while 60% oppose it, even in cases where it’s clear that allowing the company to go out of business would hurt the economy. The number in favor of intervention drops even further (to just 33%) when the only harm to the economy would be a loss of jobs. Why? Because apparently most Americans agree with me that, warts and all, our economic system that is based on free trade and an open market is way better than any other system ever devised – especially Socialism.
The poll also shows that a similar majority would oppose any proposal to give the President more power at the expense of Congress and the courts, even if doing so would likely help the economy. A full three-quarters of those questioned said no to expanding Presidential powers, regardless of any predicted economic benefits.
The results of this poll bode well for the future of our country, and the Democrat politicians who hold almost exclusive power on the federal level for the time being would be wise to take the results into consideration when attempting to change the very core of our nation’s system of government, economy and heritage. I believe they’ll pay a big price at the mid-term elections if they remain determined to sail against the wind of public opinion on such important matters.
I agree with you and I love your professional new look.