Americans Support Government's Role Just Not Government

An excellent new report in the WaPo this morning highlights the vast array of views on modern American government. Too big? Too small? Too nazi? Too commie? It's all in there and it's a topic The Fold Blog has always found interesting enough to bring to the main page.

I'll maintain all day long, as I always have, that a vast majority of Americans do not care about the size of government as long as they get what they want from it.  In addition, efficiency plays a much larger role in contentment than does size.  And the this latest report backs me up.

• 96% believe Medicare to be important
• 95% believe Social Security to be important
• 90% believe Defense spending is important
• 82% believe food stamps are important
• 91% believe federal aid to public schools is important
• 91% believe unemployment benefits are important

And a whopping 49% said they would prefer more services from the government even if that meant higher taxes.