What the American People Want

After securing a Republican majority in the House of Representatives, the top two House Republicans -- Speaker of the House-to-be John Boehner (R-OH) and Marjority Leader-to-be Eric Cantor (R-VA) -- offered their governing philosophy: Listen to the American people.

Boehner:

"We're humbled by the trust that the American people have placed in us, and as I said last night, our now job is to listen to the people and follow the will of the American people," Boehner, R-Ohio, said.

Cantor:

"Well you know, tonight's election is about listening to the people, and that was the message that's being sent across this land is they don't like this health care bill, and they want to see us focus on jobs, and there's just been no results that match the expectations of the people," Cantor said.

I don't know about health care repeal, but if polling data can determine what the American people want, then Boeher & Co. should:

  1. "Have the federal government provide more services, even it costs more in taxes"
    (49% support more services and higher taxes vs. 47%, Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard University. Sept. 22-Oct. 3, 2010)
  2. "Fight for more government spending"
    (57% favor more spending, 39% favor cutting spending, Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard University. Sept. 22-Oct. 3, 2010)
  3. Reject a permanent extension of the '01-'03 tax cuts for those earning more than $250,000
    (53% oppose permanent extension, 44% favor, CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Sept. 21-23, 2010)

Additionally, the American people, apparently have very little interest in the federal budget deficit. When asked to rank the importance of various national issues, respondents consistently place jobs and the economy over the deficit by wide margins.

Top Priorities for the Government to be Working on
(percent of poll respondents)
PollJobs and/or EconomyThe Deficit
CNN/Opinion Research Corporation528
Pew Research Center3917
Bloomberg4927
CBS News543

If we can take Boehner's and Cantor's rhetoric at face value, then I can easily envision an agenda that I can get behind: Expand federal spending to increase jobs and provide more services.

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