The average Tea Party person is a white, well educated, well paid Baby Boomer.
That's the demographic identified by a new CBS/New York Times poll that sought to identify who makes up the bulk of the Tea Party movement that has risen to oppose the progressive public policies coming out of the Obama White House.
Here's what the poll tells us:
- 46 percent of people who are Tea Party supporters are age 45-64, the age spread of the Baby Boomers;
- 59 percent are men, 41 percent women;
- 89 percent are white;
- 54 percent are registered Republicans, 5 percent Democrats and 36 percent as unregistered independents;
- 73 percent describe themselves as some conservative or very conservative;
- 70 percent are married;
- 56 are employed and 32 percent are retired;
- 70 percent have some college education or have a college or graduate degree;
- 56 percent make more than $50,000 a year.
The New York Times said it did the poll with CBS in an effort to identify who it is that makes up the Tea Party movement, which grew from opposition to the Obama Administration's progressive expansion of government, from the stimulus package to health care reform to anti-big government.
Ninety-two percent of Tea Party supporters believe Obama is moving the country toward socialism; in comparison, about half of the general public feels the same way.
But as opposed as they are to big government, Tea Party supporters are big backers of Social Security and Medicare -- the two largest government entitlement programs.
They want smaller government, according to the New York Times, but said they did not want to cut Medicare or Social Security — the biggest domestic programs, suggesting instead a focus on “waste.” They defended being on Social Security while fighting big government by saying that since they had paid into the system, they deserved the benefits.
Comments
There seems to be a universal urge that screams for this: rugged free market capitalism for the other guy, and protective social programs (some call socialism) for me. There is always a reason for one or your community to benefit from government, while clamming you want small government. In fact, those States that receive the most Federal Government money are all conservative states, in the South and interior West.
Haven't we boomers been told all along that we were "contributing" to an "insurance" plan?
Senate - January 26, 2005 - Mr. DORGAN. "Social Security is a program that was signed into law by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1930's. It is an insurance program. Money is taken from workers' paychecks in the form of something called FICA taxes. The ``I'' in FICA is insurance, not investment. Social Security is an insurance program.
Senate - July 30, 2001 - Mr. DURBIN. "...it is an insurance policy. It is known as the social insurance policy for Americans. That puts it in a different perspective. We pay premiums throughout our life for basic insurance."
How many people give up an insuance plan?
Weren't we boomers told that the 83 tax increase was to pre-fund the baby boomers?
January 23, 1990 - House of Representatives - Mr. DURBIN - "The dramatic increase in the payroll tax was designed to protect baby boomers when they retired.
Well Mr politician you've done your damage.
Limo Divers Protest Medicare Mediciad Reform Cuts, It's rumored this issue could become part of the Tea Party movement. AmeriChoice Health also rumored to take a position on this issue. Recirculate those tax dollars? Help keep limo drivers working, benefits flowing and overpaid tax dollars remain in abuse.
Medicare.gov as well as other Federal agency's encourage you to report any fraudulent activities, yet, the same government agency's were notified the way this company does business yet did nothing. Three years ago they were reported to these Federal agency's and as of todays date not only were they allowed to continue doing business but were never charged once. Protected vendor status sure, politics sure, limited government budgets sure, Federal and State officals looking the other way sure, and rather then stop these activities a strong desire not to rock the boat previals. Even with the vast changes in the laws, budgets,a hands off policy remains, you tell me what's wrong with this picture?
The Government created this monster and now they don't know what to do about it, like shooting yourself in your own foot etc. Tons of money to advance their national growth, it's market positions, tons of money for political donations, tons of money to send 75 millIon back to its home office from New York state alone, tons of money to suppot National TV shows, tons of money to pay hugh State fines, tons of money to hire the very best law firms, tons of money to pay for bribes and kickbacks, tons of money for hugh salary's and bonuses, all done on the back of the American tax payor, you see this company receives all it's money from the Federal government. Should your tax dollars be held to a higher standard? Should our government agency's responsible for there review and be held to that same standard? Should the IRS audit their corruption? Why has this company not been charged? How long can the buck be passed here in more ways then one?
Hey, it's your tax dollars don't complain now.. then don't complain later on…
ps… I know times are tough for a lot us, but it would be great to have a free limo to go to the Doctors, Pharmacy, Movies, Grocery shopping, and given free tickets for the movies. Offered soda, pop corn and hotdogs, as well as have them receive free coupons for Grocery items…Kind of makes you wish qualified for Medicare and Mediciad right?
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