The latest lawmaker to oppose the ban is Sen. Paul

The Uncertainty in 2024: Why Crime is the Top Issue for Democrats and Republicans? A Marist Institute for Public Opinion Survey

With inflation stubbornly high and interest rates increasing, there is plenty of economic uncertainty at the moment, and it remains the top issue for respondents in the survey — 31% said so, followed by preserving democracy (20%).

The survey found that Democrats and Republicans have vulnerabilities when it comes to crime, the economy and whether or not to ban TikTok.

Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, stated that the image of the Republican Party had gotten more extreme than it was before the election. “If winning the election in 2024 is predicated on picking up some swing voters in the middle, they’re moving in the opposite direction.

“For the Democrats, as much as the progressive wing is allowing President Biden some freedom to move toward the middle, you look at the issues on the economy and crime, and he is not where he wants to be in tying down the middle, either.”

The results of a survey of 1,338 people, including 1,226 registered voters, were received via live telephone calls to cell phones and phone numbers, online panels and text message in Spanish. It has a margin of error which is 3.5 percentage points and means results have a range of some 4 points lower than the number reported.

No other issue broke double-digits. Climate change was at 8% and immigration was at 9%. Crime, gun policy, abortion and education rounded out the topics people were asked about.

The policy priorities, as expected, are different by party — with Republicans and independents more focused on the economy and Democrats saying preserving democracy is tops, followed by the economy, health care and climate change.

Biden is vulnerable on crime. Just 35% approve of how he’s handling it, including just 27% of independents. A lack of approval is widespread among key Democratic coalition groups, like nonwhites and people under 45.

Despite crime not being a top issue in polls, the majority of the people said it is a real threat to most communities, and that it wasn’t an issue overblown by politicians to win votes.

7 in 10 independents are Democrats and 6 in 10 Democrats. Notably, nonwhites, who are a pillar Democratic group, are among the most likely to say it’s a real threat. That’s in line with several core groups vital to former President Donald Trump’s political fortunes — whites without college degrees, white evangelical Christians and people who live in small towns.

Republican governors, legislatures and candidates across the country have focused on gender identity issues, something they see as a political wedge issue.

There is some evidence for that — 50% in the 2022 midterm exit polls, for example, said society’s values on gender identity and sexual orientation are changing for the worse.

And there has been an increase in support for criminalizing gender transition-related medical care for minors, from 28% in April of 2021 to 43% now. Almost three-quarters of Republicans agree with it.

A large amount of parents of kids who are under 18 and those without kids are in favor of criminalizing the practice, but many people who aren’t parents are opposed.

Most respondents oppose laws that would limit drag shows or performances in their states. Earlier this month, Tennessee passed a bill to do just that, while in more than a dozen other states, there are GOP efforts afoot to do the same.

But the majority is not on their side — 58% oppose such laws. Republicans, on yet another issue, stand out against the majority, as 61% support these laws. Only 25% of Democrats and 4% of independents do.

Source: https://www.npr.org/2023/03/29/1166486046/poll-economy-inflation-transgender-rights-republicans-democrats-biden

What Makes a Good Investment Decision: Paul’s Concerns on the Social Responsibility of the Government and the Future of the U.S.

More than two-thirds want to invest their money in companies that make money but also have good business practices, and care about the environment and society.

More than half of Republicans would rather invest in companies that have a good record of protecting the environment and society. The GOP has made socially responsible practices such as environmental, social and governance, and diversity, equity and inclusion, bogey men.

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank was the result of bad investments, higher interest rates and other factors, and many Republicans blamed these practices.

Three-quarters of Democrats and 61% of independents strongly agree that health care is a basic right, while just a quarter of Republicans feel that way.

While government is the epitome of dividing lines in this country, there’s another aspect to the question that stands out. The government’s responsibility is shared by 75% of the Gen Z and generation after them, followed by just 40% of Gen Xers and 26% of the Silent/Greatest generation.

The finding shows that younger Americans want the government to step in on pocketbook issues like raising taxes on the wealthy and raising the minimum wage.

Three quarters said TikTok represents either a major or minor threat to national security. And it’s bipartisan – 7 in 10 Democrats and 8 in 10 Republicans see it the same way, though Republicans are more likely to see TikTok as a major threat.

It’s expected that there’s a generational divide because younger Americans are more likely to use the app. Gen Z and young adults are not as likely to support a ban as they would be if it were a national security threat.

“I hope saner minds will reflect on which is more dangerous: videos of teenagers dancing, or the precedent of the US government banning speech,” Paul said on the Senate floor Wednesday.

Paul authored an op-ed for USA Today on Wednesday further explaining his position on TikTok. His First Amendment concerns included that banning the app would endanger the future of the Republican party.

“I can be darn sure that there is no special First Amendment carve-out for communists,” Hawley said, responding to Paul’s objections Wednesday. The First Amendment may protect dance videos. If you wish, you can upload them all. But the First Amendment does not protect the right to spy on American citizens.”

The press conference was held before the testimony of the TikTok CEO in front of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Throughout the hearing, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle voiced deep concerns over the app and its potential to harm national security.