Just 53% Say Capitalism Better Than Socialism
Only 53% of American adults believe capitalism is better than socialism.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 20% disagree and say socialism is better. Twenty-seven percent (27%) are not sure which is better.
Adults under 30 are essentially evenly divided: 37% prefer capitalism, 33% socialism, and 30% are undecided. Thirty-somethings are a bit more supportive of the free-enterprise approach with 49% for capitalism and 26% for socialism. Adults over 40 strongly favor capitalism, and just 13% of those older Americans believe socialism is better.
Investors by a 5-to-1 margin choose capitalism. As for those who do not invest, 40% say capitalism is better while 25% prefer socialism.
There is a partisan gap as well. Republicans - by an 11-to-1 margin - favor capitalism. Democrats are much more closely divided: Just 39% say capitalism is better while 30% prefer socialism. As for those not affiliated with either major political party, 48% say capitalism is best, and 21% opt for socialism.
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The question posed by Rasmussen Reports did not define either capitalism or socialism
It is interesting to compare the new results to an earlier survey in which 70% of Americans prefer a free-market economy. The fact that a “free-market economy” attracts substantially more support than “capitalism” may suggest some skepticism about whether capitalism in the United States today relies on free markets.
Other survey data supports that notion. Rather than seeing large corporations as committed to free markets, two-out-of-three Americans believe that big government and big business often work together in ways that hurt consumers and investors.
Fifteen percent (15%) of Americans say they prefer a government-managed economy, similar to the 20% support for socialism. Just 14% believe the federal government would do a better job running auto companies, and even fewer believe government would do a better job running financial firms.
Most Americans today hold views that can generally be defined as populist while only seven percent (7%) share the elitist views of the Political Class.
11 comments:
Don't you think that you have to read between the lines on this? Most of us want a blend that we've come to know as the American way. Most people have figured out that pure capitalism only favors the super rich robber-barons. I think the majority of Americans want to live in capitalistic democracy with a social safety net. The size of that social safety net is what we all disagree on.
Jim, the cartoon pretty much tells the tale. 47% of Americans per this poll think there is nothing wrong with reaching into the pockets of their neighbors to pay for something they don't want to pay for.
I can't buy into your rhetoric of "super rich robber-barons", sorry. Everyone has an opportunity to increase their own revenue. What I have a problem with are the people who have become brainwashed into believing that the bad evil rich are responsible for them not having what they need.
I do not believe in a social safety net. As for the American Way, if that is what is becoming of our Great Nation, I'm afraid, very afraid. If that is what we are going to become, what is my incentive to try to prosper? Please answer that question, I'd like to know your thoughts on that question alone.
On my way to the salt mines. VN8
I need a government bailout, I'm sitting on the side of the road with a flat tire! LOL
I really do have a flat but I pay for roadside assistance on my car insurance so hopefully the tow company is sending a young and handsome attendant to change my tire! I do know his name is Tyler!
Oh and Jim, the safety net comment is sticking with me, we as a Nation haven't provided people with a "safety net" we have afforded people with a life style! Big difference in my opinion! OK, I've got to put on my damsel in distress look! LOL. NOT! VN8
It's a shame, but the fact that capitalism & socialism weren't defined is probably a factor. :(
"pure capitalism only favors the super rich robber-barons"
Come on man. One of the biggest responsibilities we have as people is determining who teaches/mentors us. I don't know who you let teach you, but you might want to look around for some alternatives.
I think this is a perfect picture of how liberals think on this subject:
A few years ago I was visiting my Grandmother (she has since passed away). She lived most of her life in Western Massachusetts...... a very liberal area. Anyway, she was complaining to me about some story she saw on the news and said to me...."All business owners are a bunch of crooks!" I said, "But Granny....I'm a business owner." (I own a plumbing co.). At that she turned to me and said, "Well all of them except you!" lol. True story. I love & miss my grandma.....but she let the wrong people influence her.
http://theconservativegardener.blogspot.com/
Dennis, thanks so much for adding a rational viewpoint to the blog. We are on a very slippery slope! How's the corn coming along? I love your garden updates. VN8/BB
Jim, what do you mean by "blend." It was not pure capitalism that created the robber barons but rather government regulation and protection. They had the protection of congressmen and local officials. I hesitate to draw you back to the Joe the Plumber episode, but I do so because it illustrates the point. Joe understood that what you call the "blend" would interfere with his ability to conduct business. He understood that BO's concept of spreading the wealth would impact him in an adverse manner. Better to keep everyone down by spreading the wealth than having anyone break loose from the pack, right?
VN8- Well they're supposed to pop-up in 7-10 days. Today is day 5 and I was out there looking at the ground saying to myself....."God...is it still going to work?"
http://theconservativegardener.blogspot.com/
I had to laugh at the definition of "American way". Capitalism *is* the American way .. always has been. It is what made us the world leader we used to be. It separates us from the totalitarians whose countrymen have no innovative spirit because their government "owns" them. Such people have to steal ideas or buy them from unscrupulous robber-barons. And capitalism is "blended" with what, by the way? Socialism? It's okay, Jim. You can say it. I noticed the sentence ended a bit early
and I wanted to get clarification.
Laissez-Faire capitalism is not the same as the highly government influenced "capitalism" you're citing in your "Robber-Baron" comment. What has ruined capitalism *is* precisely government regulation. The government finds a need for regulation and then your "robber-barons" exploit a loophole, which forces even more regulation and the cycle continues until you have the huge oversight and regulating bodies we see now. And even at that, there are more loopholes and more robber-barons looking to exploit them. If capitalism is to work in this country, the government must keep its thumbs off the Bernoulli tubes and let the liquid seek it's own level. This sort of thing would never sit well with big government liberals.
And ditto Dennis. It'd help if the liberal media defined things properly before they took their survey. Doing so is not as effective if you're seeking a knee-jerk response, however.
Unfortunately, I think we have to endure the failures to realize how important it is to keep the American Experiment going.
I kmow that as Americans we have lost our minds. Look at the Castro endorsement of Obama. there was a time ehrn that was the kiss of death. Now for Obama it is a resume enhancement.
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