The responsibility of the federal government
Note: (Gallup) Respondents were asked, “Do you think it is the responsibility of the federal government to make sure all Americans have healthcare coverage, or is that
not the responsibility of the federal government?” (GSS) For the first question, respondents were asked, “In general, some people think that it is the responsibility
of the government in Washington to see to it that people have help in paying for doctors and hospital bills. Others think that these matters are not the responsibility
of the federal government and that people should take care of these things themselves. Where do you put yourself on this scale, or haven’t you made up your mind on
this?” For the second question, respondents were asked, “Are we spending too much, too little, or about the right amount on improving and protecting the nation’s
health?”
Source: Gallup www.gallup.com/poll/165917/majority-say-healthcare-not-gov-responsibility.aspx
Here is a more recent poll. http://www.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/196814/gallup-review-healthcare-election.aspx?g_source=healthcare+government
+responsibility&g_medium=search&g_campaign=tiles
Your assignment for this discussion is to look at the ends of the continuum of political ideology (government responsibility vrs personal responsibility & consequence)
and see how they are reflected in the opinions being collected through the Gallup Poll at the link above.
Address the following questions:
1) Do the trends on these questions show any general movement on the part of the poll participants and if so, what is the direction of that movement?
2) How would you explain any shifts you might see here?
