American novelist and NYT bestselling author Brad Thor simply stated, “The reason socialism has failed around the world every time it's been tried is because people in socialist countries have looked at the United States and have said if they can have it that good, we can.”
Yet, according to a recent Gallup poll Americans are embracing socialism on a grand scale – a mind-boggling 43% of respondents are in favor of “some aspects” of government financial control yet still believe in a free marketplace. Either the question by Gallup was confusing or those polled haven’t a good grasp of the ideology.
A bad omen if the sampling is indicative of national trends.
2010 Gallup Poll
The good news, in contrast, is that 51% of free-thinking Americans believe socialism to be the death knell of freedom and the all-important middle class.
But the times have drastically changed since the 1940s, when a Roper/Fortune survey found 40% of red-blooded Americans believed socialism was “bad,” 25% said let’s take a chance, and 34% did not have an opinion one way or another.
Everyone has an opinion now. The 18% increase in people believing in socialism is worrisome – but the 11% increase of those fighting for capitalism is a positive advent.
Are Americans buying what the socialist left is selling or is capitalism on the rise?
Polling, Schmolling, What Does It Mean?
Statisticians have taken a near-lethal butt whipping since the 2016 presidential election, in which many claimed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton was anywhere from 70% to 90% ahead of the Republican candidate, who we now call President Donald Trump. The amount of folks in therapy after losing a sure thing is something polling companies are quietly surveying still today.
Gallup’s sample of 1,024 adults across all 50 states were random-digit-dialed on home and cell phones. But it’s the people who answer – that don’t screen their calls – that may have these numbers skyrocketing. According the Pew Research Center, a non-response bias is one main culprit:
“This occurs when certain kinds of people systematically do not respond to surveys despite equal opportunity outreach to all parts of the electorate … It is possible that the frustration and anti-institutional feelings that drove the Trump campaign may also have aligned with an unwillingness to respond to polls.”
They must be the same people who didn’t answer the Gallup call. Just a thought.
But the results also indicate a new level of exposure to socialism across the country and let’s not give thanks to the frumpy millionaire, socialist Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT): Instead let’s give the “fake” news hammering 24/7 on cable, the big three networks, and social media a lion’s share of credit for a continual brainwashing of ideologies and distortion of reality.
Perhaps the idea of accepting “some aspects” of socialism in America is because it sounds so, well, free and easy. But when pressed on the issue of more government control, respondents pumped the brakes, completing an impressive 180 degree turn in mere seconds:
“Americans are most likely to prefer free market control in the areas of technological innovation and the distribution of wealth. Majorities also want the free market to drive the economy overall, wages, higher education and healthcare. Preference for the government to serve as the primarily responsible actor only garners majority support for protecting online consumer privacy and the environment.”
Well, that’s capitalism. The notion of a free marketplace driving competition while the less expansive good government protects the nation, maintains infrastructure, and keeps the toilets flushing. So, are these folks who answer the phone trying to mess with the statisticians out of spite or are they all simply confused?
The answer is simple -- it depends on who conducts the polling. Monmouth University had a similar poll two weeks ago that found “A majority of Americans (57%) say that socialism is not compatible with American values.”
It’s no wonder our politicians appear as if their heads are on the verge of rocketing into space after such different survey results.
Keeping America Free Does Not Equal Free Stuff
Regardless of whether 51% or 57% are staunchly opposed to big government and socialism, that even a smattering of people in this country purport upending 243 years of freedom and a free market should send shudders through the nation. Still, the Democrats and their news media champion for socialism and pound that message repeatedly to all who refuse to turn off the television and do a few minutes of due diligence for themselves.
And the left loves their herdable, fearful flock.
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