Republicans are wrong again
By 54-43%, voters approve of canceling up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt. That includes support from 79% of Democrats, 51% of independents, and 30% of Republicans. Majorities of those both with a college degree (52%) and those without (56%) support the loan forgiveness.
When asked about the role of government generally, 38% think it is doing too much and involved in things better left to individuals and businesses, while a majority of 55% says the government should be doing more to solve the country’s problems. That “do more” number is up from 49% in 2021 and 44% in 2016.
That last strikes me as a big sign that the old conservative movement small government dogma is truly out of fashion. Unfortunately, I’m not so sure that is translating into a traditional liberal view of government. I think there are quite a few Repub icans who have decided they do want the government to do more — they just want it to use its power to subdue their political adversaries and punish their perceived enemies. An authoritarian government is an activist government.
But it is good news, nonetheless that Americans are happy with the government helping the poor and middle class relieve some of the education debt that’s killing them. A lot of those people are young and it bodes well for the future they see a government doing something that results in their personal material gain. If they vote for Democrats now studies show they will almost certainly stick with the party going forward.