Even Democrats fear Big Government

By Tom Quiner

Even as President Obama and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi commend the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement, rank and file Democrats are more fearful of Big Government than Big Business.

Even as President Obama and his party call for an even bigger federal government, his Democratic base is not in agreement, according to a new Gallup Poll. When asked who they fear more, Big Government, Big Business, or Big Labor, 48% of Democrats said Big Government vs. 44% who said Big Business. This is a dramatic increase since Team Obama took power and concentrated more power in the federal government.

In other words, OWS does not speak for the entire Democratic Party. Among Republicans, 82% fear Big Government most compared to only 6% who fear Big Business most.

What does this mean? It means that Mr. Obama needs to tack to the center if he wishes to be re-elected. He is engaged in a delicate balancing act in fomenting class envy, which is predicated on the heavy hand of government to redistribute income from those who earned it to those who did not. This is a potent message, but a dangerous one in light of his party’s concerns about the growing power of Big Government.

The chart above traces the history of this polling data.

3 Comments

  1. Monte B. Gray on December 13, 2011 at 10:13 am

    The only Republican candidate who I feel has a strong plan to diminish the size of our government is Ron Paul. All the others have either too much baggage, are flip floppers, undisciplined dreamers, or have no clue on how to actually fix things. Too listen to Ron Paul makes me think of someone who actuallly has some common sense.



    • quinersdiner on December 13, 2011 at 10:19 am

      One man running for President had an opportunity to do something about the federal deficit and actually did something about it. His name is Newt Gingrich. That’s a darn good track record. He’s not talk. He’s demonstrated he’s action.



  2. Monte B. Gray on December 13, 2011 at 9:29 pm

    Yes he has demonstated he’s action! Ask all three of his wives. I’m sure they’ll concur!