Showing posts with label poll. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poll. Show all posts

PostHeaderIcon Majority of US voters oppose civilian trial of suspected 911 terrorists in NYC

11/18/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


Citing safety concerns, majority of American voters do not want to the Guantanamo prisoners to be housed in prisons in the United States out of safety concerns. Fifty-five (55%) of the same group are not in favor of closing the Guantanamo prison in Cuba. With a large majority (76% vs. 24%), Americans don't want to give the suspected terrorists the same rights as civilians. For being part of a global war, the public wants the terrorists be tried in military courts. These findings by Rasmussen survey are consistent to the majority---51% who are opposed to have self-confessed 911 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and 4 others stand trial in a New York City courhouse close to the scene of the crime.

The opinion above is a reaction to the radical liberal view of US Attorney General Eric Holden and the Obama administration desiring to showcase the "superior" legal system working in America. Critic's of Holden's decision on Khalid expects a trial that will be costly, put blame and exact accountability on Bush policies, heighten the anger of the victims' families, and refocus New York City as a target of future attack.

An NYC trial will bring a protracted "circus" to the public exposing the legal system's weaknesses (in spite of claims that it's the best in the world.) By probing the CIA (i.e. waterboarding, enhanced interrogation used on the suspects) the Bush policies which have made USA safer after 911 can re-ignite controversies from the old administr5ation and send to jail those guilty of a crime. (Photo Credit: andyworthington.co.uk.) =0=

RELATED BLOG: "Gov. Paterson against 911 trial in NYC" Posted by mesiamd at 11/17/2009

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PostHeaderIcon Opposition to healthcare reform rises to 56%

9/22/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


At the end of the week, Rasmussen poll released its new number on Obama’s campaign to sell his healthcare proposal---the nationwide opposition against the measure climbed to 56% compared to only 43% in favor. Contrarians dominate over those who approve of the plan since the last week of June 2009 when opposition registered at 50% and approval at 45%. This is in spite of Obama's aggressive promotion of the healthcare bill, undoubltedly one of the centerpieces of his administration.

The overhaul of healthcare became more unacceptable to the doubting public as the details are laid bare in the on-going debate. The confusion, lack of transparency, and truthfulness at the onset were partly to blame. Top leaders of the government react to criticism sorely as they wanted to ram their proposal to the public's throat--- hook line and sinker. Rasmussen revealed that for August, the public perception of protesters (wrongfully accused by being rabble-rousers and Nazis for airing their concerns) improved, making the Obama administrtion to pay more attention.

“If the plan passes, 26% of voters say the quality of care will get better, and 51% say it will get worse. In August, the numbers were 23% better and 50% worse. Fifty-one percent (51%) say passage of the plan will make the cost of health care go up while 20% say it will make costs go down. In August, 52% thought the plan would lead to higher costs, and just 17% thought it would achieve the stated goal of lowering costs.”---Rasmussen (09/18/09)

These numbers make Democrats worried. More people are speaking against the heathcare plan as much as they demonstrate their opposition to the bailouts of banks, financial institutions, and the auto industry at the expense of taxpayers’ money. These are on top of humongous spending by a government with trillions in budget deficit on its back. (Photo Credit: ctv.ca) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Tracking Poll Update: greater decline in Obama’s popularity

9/01/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post



"...in the history of polling, no newly elected American president has fallen this far this fast. Anxiety is now pervasive."
-David Brooks, The New York Times

The Rasmussen Poll has the following survey numbers for the Obama Adminiistration, giving a declining trend (when compared with past figures) in popularity among US voters as of Monday, August 31, 2009.

The result below is the lowest so far for the president's approval since he was elected in November last year. Eighty-one percent (81%) of Democrats approve while 83% of Republicans disapprove of Obama. It also shows the lack of confidence on the way US Congress is running the government.

The causes of the administration's declining popularity range from unchecked recession, unemployment, overspending, contentious healthcare reform, and uncertainty. There is discordance----between reality and what the government is saying. (Photo Credit: enstarter) For more details: www.RasmussenReports.com

Pres. Barack Obama Job approval

Strongly Aprroved -------------------------------------------------30%
Strongly Disapproed-----------------------------------------------41%
Somewhat Approved------------------------------------------------46%
Somewhat Disapproved--------------------------------------------53%
Presidential Approval Index------------------------------------ minus 11%

Poor Congress Approval Rating

Confident that Congress knows what it does for the economy------29%
Percentage of voters who want Congress replaced-------------------57%
Percentage of voters who want to keep Congress--------------------25%

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PostHeaderIcon Healthcare reform loses support from the elderly, chronically ill, and the disabled

8/12/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


As lawmakers went on their August recess, Americans from all sides of the political aisle had started debating on the merits of Pres. Barack Obama’s ambitious healthcare reform. Even though only a few legislators read the more than 1,000 pages of proposal to overhaul the medical insurance system whose budget constitutes a 6th of our economy, the administration had been rushing and pushing for changes that had been met with growing opposition.

The senior citizens, elderly, the handicapped and disabled are for a universal health care that is cheap. But they are up in arms against what they perceived to be a threat to their health and lives. Even with more than a trillion budget (contrary to Obama’s campaign promise that healthcare will be kept inexpensive,) the specter of rationing of services, prolonged waiting times in doctor’s offices, denial of certain medical tests and treatments, the weakening of America’s leadership in medical science, and the discrimination of the severely ill and those with disabilities are real issues that spark shouting matches in town meetings all over the country.



My Personal Experience

As a disabled with an unrelenting chronic medical condition, I have serious concerns about Obama’s healthcare proposal. Even with the current system, cost-cutting has already started. Presently, I am due for chemotherapy in New York, but my nurse told me, we have to hold-off because Medicare, our government insurance system, has not approved the treatment. In short, I am being denied access to a live-saving medical intervention. The disapproval is directly linked with cost-cutting and I need to appeal to justify my treatmen. Obviously, the denial is intrusive to medical wisdom and interferes with my doctor’s trained judgment. The delay in treatment it causes can surely jeopardize my health. So if this is happening to me now, how much more when the Obama’s proposal takes effect?

I worry for those who don’t know how to deal with the complexity of the current medical system. I'm apprehensive for us who'd be dictated by new rules that may shut-down apt treatment for the severely sick. The healthcare change will serve best if one is not sick, but when someone contracts a difficult health problem, the nightmare begins. From my experience, the sick is practically alone to negotiate the system in order to survive.

I was denied coverage of claims for certain medicines before and I had to dig deep into my pocket to pay for them. Scrimping on my budget, I had to buy additional medical insurances to supplement my coverage. Putting up medical claims is confusing and takes a lot of effort. Too much cost-cutting can lead to morbidities and deaths.



Questions Demanding Answers

Forty six (46) million people without insurance will be added in the system when Obama’s healthcare reform gets approved. How will America pay for them except from taxpayer’s money? In a socialistic bent, why will certain sectors of society pay more in favor of others? Why is personal responsibility not emphasized among us---giving priority to pay for one’s medical insurance, discouraging fraud, supporting medical tort reforms among others?

Do we have enough doctors and nurses who will take care of the newly insured? How can Obama assure there will be no lines in the ER and doctor's offices? On what basis will the sick be denied or approved of their diagnostics and treatments?

Who has the moral authority to select which patients deserve medical care over the other? Are the lives of the elderly any less important than the young as suggested by some of Obama’s radical healthcare planners?

How can the public trust Capitol Hill’s health experts when they demonstrate partisanship, show sharp adherence to their brand of morality and social agenda? Why is accountability in their decisions lacking?

Sen. Nancy Pelosi (California-Democrat) in criticizing those who oppose the healthcare plan immediately labeled them as “nazis” and "unAmerican." In her maturity, why can’t she engage in a rational, free and honest debate on the issues that will affect the people for generations?

Why do some administration officials like Obama and Pelosi rush the public to decide on the proposal just like the wishy-washy approval of the $787 financial bailouts of banks, housing and auto industries without the public’s understanding? These are some questions that aren’t satisfactorily answered by the administration who promised wild things during the past election.

As a result, in August 11, 2009, the Rasmussen poll has showed a precipitous drop in Obama’s approval---51 disapproved (with 37% strongly against) and 49 (with 30% strongly against) approved. This is expected to worsen as the real intent of his healthcare revamp is fully revealed to the public. In the meantime, the gnashing of the teeth is getting louder in limbo. (Photo Credits: Ben Heine; flikr Nurse; barack obama) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon From stratospheric high, Barack Obama’s job approval falls to the ground

8/06/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


The president of the United States does not lack good intentions to overhaul the entire America or perhaps the world. Since his landmark win as the first black commander in chief, he pursues an ambitious plan of “change” that for a while the public supports. Americans want to give him a chance to succeed.

But 8 months after election, the doubts and fears of America have taken shape. The budget deficit has grown to an all time high. There is too much spending and borrowing by an increasingly intrusive government. Unemployment is still on the rise. Economic recovery is plagued by conflicting reports of stalling and rebound from "experts" that are hard to trust. Accountability (particularly in the administration's spending and borrowing) is virtually absent.

Healthcare reform is hard sell. It is more costly than the current system Obama wants to replace. There is widespread fear of a socialistic government-controlled Canadian-like system that threaten to ration services, curtail approval of diagnostics and treatment, delay services, limit the choice of doctors and their treatment options, and jack up taxes. This comes when 85% of Americans like their current insurances and the services they offer.

As a result, Barack Obama’s job approval rating is sliding fast and is down to 50%.

“Exactly half of the registered voters surveyed from July 27 to Aug. 3 by Quinnipiac said they approve of the job Obama is doing, compared with 42 percent who disapprove. That’s down from 57 percent approval and 33 percent disapproval.
The poll found that voters disapprove of the way Obama is handling the economy by 49 percent to 45 percent.

On his effort to overhaul of the health-care system, 52 percent disapprove of his handling of the issue while 39 percent approve. Only foreign policy offered a bright spot: 52 percent of poll respondents approved of his job on this front, compared with 38 percent who disapproved.” Bloomberg.com (08/06/09, Jensen, K)

What is clear is good intentions do not necessarily translate to good results. Theory in governance doesn’t always jibe with practice. Even with eloquence, the claim of experts and leaders must always be seen with caution. A president with glowing grassroots ideas from Harvard does not guarantee godly results. It’s dangerous to rock the boat with promises. Change comes magically, but not always in a hurry. (Photo Credit: nmfbihop) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Obama’s approval rating falls

6/23/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


After a very strong start early in presidency, popular Barack Obama is now experiencing an erosion of his approval rating as the Rasmussen reports the following salient findings as of Monday, June 22, 2009. His approval index has dropped to negative (-1).

33% of voters strongly approve
34% of voters strongly disapprove
(-1) net approval index

Among other findings from the survey, many voters still blame the Bush administration for the faltering economy, but the number has fallen to 54%----8 points down from last month. This indicates that the problem of the economy during the change of leadership is getting to be attributed to Obama rather than Bush.

The consumer confidence according to the survey is at its lowest level in the last two months. Americans are equally divided on whether to push through with healthcare reform now (46%) or wait on a later date to coincide with economic recovery(45%).

There is doubt on the massive spending Obama has laid out for the bailout of banks, mortgage institutions, auto industry and private companies which many believe compromises taxpayers’ money. If the economy improves (i.e. it comes out of the recession) Obama’s numbers are expected to rebound to his favor. But further slide of his rating is expected if financial trouble persists and joblessness remains rampant.(Photo credit: Roddick Remixed) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo scores low anew on trust rating

6/09/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


In a new poll released by Pulse Asia, Philippine Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo got a very poor rating on public trust. Her approval and disapproval rating is 26% and 46% respectively with a net rating of negative 20. The following is part of the May 2009 results:

-------------------------------------------Approval Rating (%)

Vice Pres. Noli de Castro----------------------53%
Senator Juan Ponce Enrile--------------------32%
SC Chief Justice Reynato Puno--------------34%
Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo--------------------------26%
Speaker Prospero Nograles-------------------20%
(Source: Daily Tribune, June 9, 2009)

According to the survey, 48% of the respondents disapproved of the president's performance. Her rating didn't improve from the results in February 2009. As in the past, Arroyo supporters in Malacanang Palace brushed aside the survey which they believed didn’t reflect the real belief of the people. (Photo Credit: lasvegaskodak) -0-

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PostHeaderIcon Falling ratings of Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo

3/17/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


It comes less of a surprise for the public to know that Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo (GMA) gets bad ratings for her work in the executive office. According to the survey on February 20 to 23, 2009 by the Social Weather Station Inc. (SWS,) her disapproval rating fell further to a net rating of negative (-) 33 (26% satisfied and 59% dissatisfied.)

“The President’s latest net satisfaction rating is lower compared to “poor” -24 percent (29 percent satisfied, 53 percent dissatisfied) in December and poor -27 (27 percent satisfied, 54 percent dissatisfied) in September."----Philstar (03/17/09, Sy, M)

More than half of the Filipinos don’t approve of GMA’s performance, in spite of Malacanang’s wish that the president be given appreciation for unrecognized “accomplishments.” Pres. Spokesman Lorelei Fajardo cites Arroyo’s work of insulating the country from the impacts of domestic and global economic crisis.

Many Filipinos feel this is untrue because the full blown effects of the financial crisis are yet to come. Even without the global crisis, the Philippines has been reeling in widespread poverty with about 40% of the population facing hunger each day. Her approval rating has been bad compared to past presidents Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada. With the presidential election coming in 2010, the public appears to extend their patience for GMA,---opting to let her corruption-riddled government to pass. (Photo Credit: AP/ Aaron Familia)=0=

RELATED BLOGS: "Corruption scandals hurting Filipinos under Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo" Posted by mesiamd at 1/29/2009; “Not as a lecturer or as a judge,” EU thinks RP must do more to curb corruption Posted by mesiamd at 1/29/2009; "Corruption and apathy: where will these lead us?" Posted by mesiamd at 2/10/2009


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PostHeaderIcon Obama gets a low grade from Wall Street economists

3/14/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


Midway thru Pres. Barack Obama’s post-election 100-day honeymoon period is an erosion of popularity. In spite of his “heroic” effort in trying to steer the US to the “right “ track, the new president gets a failing grade of 59% from majority of 49 Wall Street economists polled. According to the Wall Street Journal Survey, financial thinkers are dissatisfied with Obama’s economic policy. The Dow Jones fell close to ¼ of its value at the 7 weeks of his administration.

Treasury secretary Timothy Geithner who assumed his position in the Obama cabinet in spite of evading to pay taxes has a poor grade of 51%, while Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke scored better, with an average 71.

The changing result augurs badly for Obama who has enjoyed extraordinary popularity before and after the election. The high expectation is there, but he is tumbling down from the sky putting down his public approval to about 60%---quickly in just a few days. Considering the media’s slobbering love and public admiration for Obama, the downward trend of his approval rating is unexpected.

It’s a concern that Americans who disaprove of his policies are rising. The trend is a significant negative twist on how the public perceives his performance even if he was heralded as the hero who’ll deliver America and the world from economic woes. There is strong doubt if Americans can spend their way from bankruptcy by borrowing at the expense of current tax-payers and the next generation.(Photo Credit: tsevis) =0=

RELATED BLOG: "Fearless economic forecasts" Posted by mesiamd at 3/11/2009

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PostHeaderIcon Survey says a rising number of Americans have “no religion”

3/12/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


The poll made by Program of Public Virtues of Trinity College in Hartford, CT between February and November last year reported that only 76.7% of Americans identified themselves as Christians, a 9.5% decline from the 86.2% in the 1990’s. Most of the attrition comes from non-Catholic denominations. The percentage of Catholics has significantly increased in the Southwest, greater than in the Northeast, shifting attention to the needs of Hispanics in the Roman Catholic Church.

Additional findings of the American Religious Identification Survey include:
1. Americans claiming “no religion” is up from 8.8% in 1990 to 14.2% in 2001 and 15% in 2008
2. Between 2001 and 2008, 4.7 million Americans claimed to have “no religion”
3. Northern New England is ahead of the Pacific Northwest as the least religious section of the country, with Vermont, at 34% with “no religion” leading all other states by 9 points.
4. 90% of the decline among Christians comes from the non-Catholic segment of the Christian population, mostly from mainline denominations, including Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Episcopalians/Anglicans, and the United Church of Christ. Source: http://usnews.com/ (03/09/0, Gilgoff. D)

This may represent a changing culture---- the rising secularization of United States where having “no religion” has turned to be more socially acceptable than a decade ago. The demographic shift among believers and non-believers may affect the way Americans think, vote, and live on issues like abortion, stem cell research, same-sex marriage, euthanasia, and education among others as liberals, leftists, and secular progressives veer away from the Judeo-Christian tradition which is the cornerstone of the moral and cultural values of America since it was established. (Photo Credit emardaalvinbabista) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Filipino hope & optimism

2/02/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post
If only to prove that Filipinos are among the “happiest” people in the world, the poll by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) conducted last December shows that our kababayans are as optimistic as ever. Despite the gloomy picture of the economy, about 30% of Filipinos expect things will get better in the next 12 months. The positive outlook eases the worry at the time when the country was celebrating the Christmas holiday and the coming new year.

Economic pessimism, meanwhile, remained high in Metro Manila, worsening to -37 from -33. It eased to -21 from -28 in the Balance of Luzon, to -13 from -17 in Mindanao, and -15 from -18 in the Visayas. It eased to -8 from -22 among the class E; to -22 from -30 among the ABC classes; and stayed at -24 among class D, the survey found.---GMATV.News (02/02/09)

The basis of the bright outlook which rose 4% percentage points from three months ago is unclear. The government attributes the people’s hope to resiliency. Palace officials say the poverty-alleviation programs set up by the administration are giving the people some breather.

Yet, since economic hardship still remains high and indicators don’t generally support bullish confidence in the country, cultural and psychological factors may be at play to influence the survey’s optimistic result.

We rightly laud our innate positive mentality which helps us cope with the economic crisis. But we have the temptation to look at reality in a blurry prism, sometimes with a tinge of “denial.” Our country is mired in a protracted “crisis” which makes it tempting to rest painful issues at the back-burner. Perhaps, the survey should not bring us that much of hope if we understand our situation more. (Photo Credit: Usman Farooq)=0=

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