Poll: Concerns Shift From Economy to War

[Eugene]

Poll: Concerns Shift From Economy to War

By WILL LESTER
Associated Press Writer

January 16, 2006, 2:29 AM EST

WASHINGTON -- Economic worries have decreased over the last six months as the American public has
shifted its concern more to the war in Iraq and problems faced by political leaders, AP-Ipsos polling
found.

The economy has been showing signs of strength in recent months. But the violence in Iraq has
continued, before and after the latest round of elections in mid-December. And high-profile
politicians in this country have been ensnared by scandal.

When people were asked in an open-ended question to name the nation's top problem, 25 percent named
war, close to the level in October, but up from 19 percent in July. The number of people who named
political leaders as the most important problem has almost tripled, from 5 percent in July to 14
percent as the new year starts.

<snip>

Public concern about the economy, while still relatively high, has been declining. About one in five,
21 percent, named economic issues as the top problem, down from 28 percent in July, according to the
poll of 1,001 adults taken Jan. 3-5. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage
points.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ats-ap_us11jan15,0,3631277.story?coll=ny-leadnationalnews-headlines

[firefox]

1. "and problems faced by political leaders"

It is more like concern over the problems with the polical leaders, like that representation without representation thing.

[fasttense]

2. Where is the strength in the economy?

"The economy has been showing signs of strength in recent months."

Oh yeah, where? Has my pay caught up with increased productivity and profits? NO. Has my pay caught up with inflation during the last five years? No. Has the deficit declined? No. Have fewer jobs been shipped overseas in the last year? NO. Have gas prices declined to inflation adjusted prices of five years ago? No. Has heating oil, electricity, food, housing and medical care costs stopped their upward spiral? No. Has the housing bubble continued? No. Have US household savings rates risen above the Great Depression levels? No.

The economy has not shown any strength, it is just being "talked up" by repukes and the corporate media which has caused some people to change their priorities of concern.

The neocon anti-middle class policies and legislation will catch up with them. Right now people are more concerned about losing a son or daughter (especially with Iran being "talked up") than losing all their money.

[liberal N proud]

3. It should read that the publics perception of the economy has been swayed

over the last 6 months.
The propaganda telling us that the economy is booming has been ruthless over the last 6 months. Page 1 will tell how rosy things are while the story of the plant closings, layoffs and bankruptcies is buried in the back pages.
The stock market is artificially pumped up to make the public believe and then they will spend.
Meanwhile, Credit Card companies are set to double the minimum payment required, Heating Bills are at record highs and gas prices remain high and are predicted to go even higher.
Then there is the mention of the housing bubble, the one are that has kept the economy from total collapse.

People would see a much different picture if the government would report the true numbers on jobless in America.

[sendero]

4. Exactly..

... the economy is better by a tiny margin. Your car would only get up to 42 MPH? Good news, we got it to 43!!!!

[teryang]

5. That's the public (dis)information plan

When the economy and politics get really bad beat the war drums. When the war gets really bad monetize the debt. M3 has exploded recently.

Remember inflation due to the Vietnam war? We haven't seen anything yet.

Why are oil prices still so high? Why is the price of gold exploding? Speculators? Don't believe it. It's inflation pure and simple.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

6. As though we can't walk and chew gum?

I think we can be concerned about both. And are!

[leesa]

7. Propaganda is successful! On to the bombing of Iraq! What, me worry?

[tinymontgomery]

8. I'm Not sure

these folks would agree with that poll

PART 1 OF 3
Foreclosing on the American dream

Loan defaults a growing burden for lower-income neighborhoods
LISA HAMMERSLY MUNN, BINYAMIN APPELBAUM & TED MELLNIK Staff WritersZero down. No fees. No closing costs.
Problem credit? No problem.
Home loan failures have more than quadrupled in Mecklenburg County since 1999.
More foreclosures are filed here, per person, than any other county in the state.


http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/special_packages/foreclosure/13630992.htm

[54anickel]

9. BS, people are waking up to the economic realities of war. Bush is

losing support among the investor class and they are looking at the ramifications of war on the economy now that it has proven not to be the "slam dunk" followed by a rose parade this mal-admin was touting early in the game. It's all connected, and as people connect the dots it means troubles for the WH and Bushco's poll numbers.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2043745&mesg_id=2044726