Posted on 02/01/2013 3:03:04 PM PST by Second Amendment First
Americans have a very special message for the federal government: Don’t tread on me.
That’s the takeaway from a new poll from the Pew Research Center in which, for the first time in at least the last two decades, a majority of Americans say Washington actually poses a threat to their “personal rights and freedoms.”
And it’s not just tea party supporters, Republicans and gun owners.
Nearly two-fifths of Democrats (38 percent) say the government is a threat to them personally, as do 45 percent of non-gun owners.
Overall, the percentage of Americans who view the federal government as a threat has increased from 36 percent in May 1995 to 53 percent today. It rose late in the 1990s and then dropped again after 9/11, down to 30 percent.
Today, most Americans now feel at least somewhat scared of what the government could do to them, and 31 percent see Washington as a “major threat.”
This is an important piece of data to keep in mind as Congress debates new gun legislation. While polls show broad support for expanding background checks and limiting the manufacture and sale of certain types of so-called assault weapons, the flip side of that is that many Americans are wary of their government going too far in restricting their constitutional rights — be it on guns or anything else.
And if gun rights supporters can convince the public (and members of Congress) that the legislation creates a too-powerful federal government that impinges on people’s rights and freedoms, they may help reverse their early deficit in the polls.
The American public is very receptive to such a message.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
And yet, Great Leader won a second term.
That's "Dear Leader", comrade!
Please report to Rahm Emmuel's office in Chicago for re-education!
How do idiots simultaneously “fear” the government and “favor background checks.” That’s just asking for government bureaucrats to have a licence to cancel one’s rights with “clerical errors” on your background report.
Maybe, just maybe—our somnambulent fellow citizens might sneeze, have a coughing fit or a toothache and WAKE UP!
“Conservative/Moderate” Democrats?
Where?
I love that poster... only wish the comma after “scandal” were removed!
“And yet, Great Leader won a second term.” Yes. Let me think about that... Ummm... ‘maybe’ he cheated.
That’s better. It’s too short a sentence for a comma.
I woke up early today worrying about the future of our country. Then I saw this video of gun owners in NY state defending their 2A rights and felt better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTdhVxva5KU
I aim to pleas!
I wish the GOP was not too stupid to realize this. Their overboard and unthinking homeland insecurity support is killing the Republic. The Boner, Ms. Lindsay Graham and his boyfriend John McCain are mindless kill’em robots and have permitted the left to classify Republicans as “Domestic terrorists.” They have permitted perverts at the airports to abuse totally innocent citizens. Only Rand Paul raises hell about the DHS airport sexual abuse program.
Dang Travis - !
I didn’t know that was you LOL
If you like a pause right where the comma was, try ellipses... or a dash -
You do good work!
Highly doubtful.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.