It’s not that they’re losing the war of politics. It’s that they’re losing a war with reality they should not be waging.
A new national survey from Public Policy Polling (D) illustrates the profound levels of ignorance that currently interfere with the debate over health care.
One question asked: “Do you think the government should stay out of Medicare?” Keep in mind that this is a logical impossibility, as Medicare is a government program, which was signed into law in 1965 by President Lyndon Johnson, to provide guaranteed health care to the elderly.
As it turns out, 39% of voters think government should stay out of Medicare, compared to 46% who disagree.
Millard Fillmore was the last Whig president; the party nominated a candidate in 1856, but was dead completely by 1860. Bust of Vice President Millard Fillmore, by Robert Cushing, U.S. Senate Chamber -
Among Republicans, 62% say the government should stay out of Medicare, compared to only 24% of Democrats and 31% of independents who agree.
Government should get out of Medicare? Yeah, and the Supreme Court should take the Constitution and get out of law. Farmers should get out of agriculture. And God should get out of religion.
If you believe that, I have an island in the Hudson River to sell you, complete with bridges. No wonder Republicans are so prone to voodoo history.
Tip of the old scrub brush to Ed Brayton at Dispatches from the Culture Wars.