A new Rasmussen poll has found that “Support for repeal of the new national health care plan has jumped to its highest level ever.” Sixty-three percent of likely voters now want a repeal of the Obamacare law, according to the poll conducted May 22–23. “Prior to today,” Rasmussen announced that “weekly polling had shown support for repeal ranging from 54% to 58%.”

The Rasmussen poll appeared to conflict with a CBS News poll that found opposition to Obama's health care law strong but waning. “Public support for President Obama's health care reforms has increased since they were signed into law in March, a new CBS News poll shows — 43 percent of Americans now support the measures, up from 32 percent.” While last weekend's CBS poll found the numbers closer than Rassmussen, it too found that more oppose Obama's health care law (47 percent) than support it (43 percent).

Both polls may be right, however, because they surveyed different audiences. The CBS poll surveyed 1,054 “adults,” while Rasmussen surveyed 1,000 “likely voters.” A survey of adults is a raw opinion poll, but surveying “likely voters” has traditionally been a much more accurate predictor of how the American people have registered their views at the voting booth.

The Rasmussen poll also found that “Sixty-three percent (63%) of all voters expect the health care plan to increase the federal deficit. Just 12% expect the bill to push the deficit down, while 13% say it will have no impact.”

Those likely voters may prove correct in their budgetary pessimism, as new spending in the health care reform package is expected to lock in spiraling deficits. Actual numbers from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office predict that the health care package would cut deficits by “$143 billion over the 2010–2019 period” compared with current law. However, “compared with current law” is the key qualifier in that sentence. Pre-existing “current law” is expected to spiral health care costs out of control, far more than the $14 billion per year the law would shave from deficits. In other words, health care costs will spiral out-of-control even faster than before, even though the massive tax increases in the bill would slow the expected rate of increase in the deficit.

The CBS poll also found that 69 percent of Americans agree (52 percent) with the Arizona law on immigration or believe it doesn't go far enough (17 percent), and that a majority of Americans disapprove of both the Democratic and Republican parties (54 and 55 percent, respectively).

Photo: Secretary of  Health and Human Service Kathleen Sebelius speaks during a news conference on May 13, 2010 in Washington: AP Images
 

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Pathenry said:

rejection of parties More than a majority reject both parties?!About time. If we could get even a significant minority (1/3 + 1) in the House that are not R and D, this could shift policy significantly. More important, however, are those elected to State-level House, Senate, and Governorships. Can you spell "nullification"? In 2008, I was able to vote Constitution Party or Libertarian (and without having to choose between the two) for all but one ballot position. It is now or never. If we all vote CP and L, it will help shift the nation, slowing down government, advancing liberty and potential prosperity. Don't listen to siren songs and whining. Just vote what you know is needed for a CHANGE.

May 30, 2010

Dan Bozza said:

... Idaho, Utah, and Virginia have already passed laws in their states rejecting the Fed health care plan; Florida has a bill that has been presented to the state legislature that does the same and is expected to pass overwhelmingly on the upcoming vote,and 24 other states are considering similar bills to do the same. All of this is being done based on the 10th amendment of the US Constitution which basically says that the Fed Government only has those powers that have been specifically enumerated in the Constitution and ALL other powers belong to the states or THE PEOPLE. That's us! This movement is Constitutional and it is spreading across this country like wildfire! I firmly believe that once this victory has been won, it won't stop with health care. Health care will only be one of many nullification's of Fed abuse of power. Look at what is happening in Arizona! Look at the rejection of the Fed attempt to enforce the Fed law against medical use of marijuana. Also those states that rejected the Fed attempt to establish a single Federal identification law. The games have begun, and the people WILL prevail!!!

June 07, 2010