Only 21% Say U.S. Government Has Consent of the Governed

Rassmussen-The founding document of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, states that governments derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Today, however, just 21% of voters nationwide believe that the federal government enjoys the consent of the governed.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% disagree and say the government does not have the necessary consent. Eighteen percent (18%) of voters are not sure.

However, 63% of the Political Class think the government has the consent of the governed, but only six percent (6%) of those with Mainstream views agree.

Seventy-one percent (71%) of all voters now view the federal government as a special interest group, and 70% believe that the government and big business typically work together in ways that hurt consumers and investors.

That helps explain why 75% of voters are angry at the policies of the federal government, and 63% say it would be better for the country if most members of Congress are defeated this November. Just 27% believe their own representative in Congress is the best person for the job.

Among voters under 40, 25% believe government has the consent of the governed. That compares to 19% of those ages 50 to 64 and 16% of the nation’s senior citizens.

Those who earn more than $100,000 a year are more narrowly divided on the question, but those with lower incomes overwhelming reject the notion that today’s government has the consent from which to derive its just authority. Those with the lowest incomes are the most skeptical.

Seventy-eight percent (78%) of Republicans say the government does not have the consent of the governed, and that view is shared by 65% of voters not affiliated with either of the major parties. A plurality of Democrats (44%) agrees, but 32% of those in President Obama’s party believe the government has the necessary consent.

From an ideological perspective, most moderate and conservative voters say the government lacks the consent of the governed. Liberals are evenly divided.

Obama Approval Rating Slipping Fast

President Obama approval rating is starting to slip after the first six months of his Presidency. A recent poll from Quinnipiac University, published last week, shows that while the public overall has a less favorable view of Obama, since his inauguration, the mood about how the nation is doing has improved in the first five months. While Obama disapproval rating has increased over -up to 8-10 since his inauguration. His approval has remained relatively steady at 57-33. Those who like President Obama the most are African-Americans, Women and Democrats still like him by the same margins, but a chunk of voters who were undecided have decided that he is not there cup of tea. Among Independents, men, white Catholics, white Evangelicals, and Republicans his numbers have fallen. He still has a ways to go before his coalition becomes politically unstable, but there are some group issues, especially the economy, where he needs make sure this trend does not continue. The poll released Wednesday shows that fewer Independent voters support 52-37 percent compared to 57-30 in January. However, voters overwhelming support Obama nomination of of Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court 54-26 evidence that GOP opposition has had minimal impact. Meanwhile, on the economy Americans have a more positive view. While only one percent says the economy is doing excellent, 7 percent says the economy is doing good, 44 percent says not so good, and 47 percent classify it as poor. The good news for President Obama is that he is running ahead of where he was on election day in November. The bad news is that the prospects for building a bipartisan governing coalition appear to ebbing. The two areas of potential concern for the White House are voters declining of Obama handling of the economy and a lack of majority support on his health care plan. President Obama still gets 52-42 percent approval on handling the economy. there are several pols where President Obama approval rating on handling the economy has slipped under 50 percent. Finally, Americans ares still trying to let President Obama economic polices flow through the economy before they cast a no confidence vote in his administration. The President stimulus package has until Labor Day see some signs of turning around the economy before you see those approval ratings slip under 50 percent.

Obama Popularity Meaningless Fraud

President Obama popularity has not helped America cause when it comes to fighting World-Wide Terrorism. If President Obama popularity can not convince our allies in Europe to pledge additional troops to Afghanistan his popularity is meaningless. A few months ago while, in Europe the British government pledge a additional 1,000 troops for Afghanistan but, the rest of Europe committed a additional 5,000 non-combatant troops and they will be deployed only after there nations elections. The President is popular in Europe so, why can't he convince our allies to give more troops than President Bush during the last days of his Administration. The President has not stressed that Afghanistan and Pakistan is the center point in the war on terror. The Europeans should help America to eliminate Taliban and AL-Qaeda strongholds. Therefore, these bases help support the insurgents in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is all part of the same fight that the free world can not afford to lose. President Obama should demand that our European allies help rein in Iran nuclear ambitions in the Middle East. Despite years of talks by the Europeans the leader of Iran still wants the State Of Israel wiped off the face of the earth. Iran is racing ahead with it's nuclear enrichment and ballistic missile programs. Therefore, how important is President Obama popularity if he can't convince Germany to join the United States in increasing tough sanctions on the Iranian regime. Germany has become, Iran biggest trading partner even though the European Union talks are suppose to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. High popularity is helpful to any politician. After two trips to Europe President Obama clearly enjoys widespread popularity. Now the hard part comes. The difficult part, converting political capital into policy success. Finally, the history books will judge him on how effectively he does that, and that tends to be a more harsher critic than popularity polls.