Broad consensus exists on the military and border security in the latest polling, but stark differences exist regarding the role of government in education and health care. Image: bangoland/Shutterstock.com
There is strong bipartisan support among the public for some roles for the federal government, but less in other areas where there are partisan divisions, a poll by Pew Research has found.
“Nearly all Americans say the federal government has a responsibility to provide a strong military and secure the nation’s borders, “ it said. “These are seen as government responsibilities by overwhelming majorities in both parties: 97% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say each is the federal government’s responsibility, as do about nine-in-ten Democrats and Democratic leaners.”
“Large majorities in both partisan coalitions also say the government has a responsibility to provide clean air and water, reliable energy sources, and national parks and wilderness areas. About nine-in-ten or more Democrats say the government has a responsibility to provide each of these, compared with roughly eight-in-ten Republicans in each case,” it said.
While there is some partisan division on those issues, the differences are even greater regarding whether the federal government has a responsibility to provide health insurance for all Americans (Democrats and Democratic-leaning 90 percent vs. 45 percent for Republican and Republican-leaning); provide a college education (58 vs. 22); provide high-quality K-12 education (90 vs. 57); provide adequate income in retirement (81 vs. 50); and provide an adequate standard of living (82 vs. 52).
Providing a college education and access to high-speed internet were the only two areas for which support was below 50 percent, at 41 and 45 percent overall.
It said that compared with results from a similar survey in 2021, the public overall is more supportive regarding a government role in providing an adequate standard of living for all Americans (67 percent vs. 56 percent) and an adequate income in retirement (66 vs. 59), but less supportive regarding supplying a high-quality K-12 education (74 vs. 80, driven mainly by a 10-point drop to 57 among Republicans and Republican-leaning).
Key Bills Advancing, but No Path to Avoid Shutdown Apparent
TSP Adds Detail to Upcoming Roth Conversion Feature
White House to Issue Rules on RIF, Disciplinary Policy Changes
DoD Announces Civilian Volunteer Detail in Support of Immigration Enforcement
See also,
How Do Age and Years of Service Impact My Federal Retirement
The Best Ages for Federal Employees to Retire
How to Challenge a Federal Reduction in Force (RIF) in 2025
Should I be Shooting for a $1M TSP Balance? Depends…