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Poll: Majority of Americans want smaller federal government

Respondents say that the federal government intrudes far too much

In a poll conducted by the Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation, a survey of 3,130 American adults proved that large majorities of Americans favor a smaller federal government and believe that the government already controls too much of our daily lives.

Of the registered voters who responded to the poll, 58 percent said they wanted a smaller federal government and 37 percent said they wanted a larger federal government.

Of the registered voters who responded to the poll, 58 percent said they wanted a smaller federal government and 37 percent said they wanted a larger federal government.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The survey found that even though only 25 percent of the people it polled were Republicans, another 34 percent were Democrats and another 34 percent were Independents.

"Would you say you favor a smaller federal government with fewer services, or larger federal government with many services?" the poll asked.

Fifty-five percent of the respondents said they wanted a smaller federal government. Forty percent said they wanted a larger federal government.

Of the registered voters who responded to the poll, 58 percent said they wanted a smaller federal government and 37 percent said they wanted a larger federal government.

"Do you personally agree or disagree with the following statement. Government controls too much of our daily lives," the poll also asked.

Sixty percent said they agreed and 39 percent said they disagreed. Among just the registered voters in the survey, the results were almost identical, with 60 percent saying they agreed and 38 percent saying they disagreed.

The Washington Post said the results show a deep partisan divide in America. "Partisan polarization presents a potentially insurmountable barrier to governing for whoever wins the White House in November," the Post said.

All told, the survey queried 1,027 Democrats, 1,054 Independents, and 846 Republicans. The margin of error was +/- 3.5.

© 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Keywords: Limited government, poll, registered voters, Republicans, Democrats

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