Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and The Rolling Stones reminds us in a song from their 1969 Let it Bleed album that “you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometime you might find that you get what you need.” This is the theme of the of the day as the American public continues to struggle with a deepening recession, but momentarily flexed their anger through a Congress levied, unorthodox (and some may think an unwarranted) tax against AIG bonuses.
Recently released polling on the subject shows us that Congress’ action is supported overwhelmingly:
Despite the popularity of the legislation, did Americans actually get what they wanted? Short answer: no.
Sure, the respondents in the Gallup survey above are clear in their answer, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they were asked the right question.
Data from Gallup and other polling entities over the past six months show that Americans want relief. They want their jobs back, their homes back and release from the stinging worries that tough financial situations produce. None of those things are remedied by taxing AIG bonuses at 90%. But, the public may be telling us a different message with their opinion on the AIG bonus tax situation. Likely one that involves a tried and true sentiment that government is a citizens worst enemy. Perhaps, that the stimulus was passed too fast with too little thought. Maybe even that some people made mistakes (Dodd and Geithner immediately to mind), and should be held accountable.
Luckily for us political hacks, the NY-20 special election next week may demonstrate how voters actually react to the AIG situation. Will they blame the Democrats? Will it be enough to overcome a damaged GOP brand? Is the handling (or mishandling) of the stimulus an advantage or disadvantage for a President still inside his first 100 days in office? We’ll know next week.
You Can’t Always Get What You Want, But…
Posted by Tyler Harber on Friday, March 20th, 2009 at 7:14 AM
Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and The Rolling Stones reminds us in a song from their 1969 Let it Bleed album that “you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometime you might find that you get what you need.” This is the theme of the of the day as the American public continues to struggle with a deepening recession, but momentarily flexed their anger through a Congress levied, unorthodox (and some may think an unwarranted) tax against AIG bonuses.
Recently released polling on the subject shows us that Congress’ action is supported overwhelmingly:
Despite the popularity of the legislation, did Americans actually get what they wanted? Short answer: no.
Sure, the respondents in the Gallup survey above are clear in their answer, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they were asked the right question.
Data from Gallup and other polling entities over the past six months show that Americans want relief. They want their jobs back, their homes back and release from the stinging worries that tough financial situations produce. None of those things are remedied by taxing AIG bonuses at 90%. But, the public may be telling us a different message with their opinion on the AIG bonus tax situation. Likely one that involves a tried and true sentiment that government is a citizens worst enemy. Perhaps, that the stimulus was passed too fast with too little thought. Maybe even that some people made mistakes (Dodd and Geithner immediately to mind), and should be held accountable.
Luckily for us political hacks, the NY-20 special election next week may demonstrate how voters actually react to the AIG situation. Will they blame the Democrats? Will it be enough to overcome a damaged GOP brand? Is the handling (or mishandling) of the stimulus an advantage or disadvantage for a President still inside his first 100 days in office? We’ll know next week.