[lbo-talk] revealed: Obama really really is a socialist, really

[Somebody Somebody]

Second, I don't think it's at all clear that the Obama and the Democrats are to the left and ahead of the "average US citizen" outside the party and the liberal intelligensia. There's plenty of polling evidence to suggest that, while most Americans reflexively define themselves as conservative, they favour policies typically identified with the left which the Obama administration has been unwilling to introduce because of its ties to Wall Street and because of the nature of the US political system which disproportionately favours smaller rural states. These include support for tighter regulation of the financial and energy industries, public healthcare, and withdrawal from Afghanistan. 

Somebody: I don't think it's just a case of confused identification, though. Consistent majorities of Americans come out in favor of the view that the government plays too large of a role in our economy. And since the recession, the percent feeling that there's too much government regulation has actually gone up to 57%. And when given the choice between regulating business more, less, or keeping things the same, only 24%(!) wanted more regulation. 

Link:
<http://www.gallup.com/poll/125468/americans-leery-govt-regulation-business.aspx>

Anyway, why do so many Americans identify as conservative, anyway? The percent that identifies itself as liberal is a little less than that calling for more regulation of business: around 20%. That's liberal America - about one fifth of the population. Conservatives outnumber liberals two to one.

The proof to me of the conservative instincts of Americans is how few people are calling for the government to supply new jobs and for public works programs. We're in the deepest recession in a lifetime, and Americans are actually turning away from notions that the government should lend a helping hand.