Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site tty3b.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!harpo!eagle!mhuxl!ihnp4!we13!tty3b!mjk From: mjk@tty3b.UUCP (Mike Kelly) Newsgroups: net.politics Subject: Reagan Bucks Public Opinion Message-ID: <292@tty3b.UUCP> Date: Fri, 27-Jan-84 13:29:28 EST Article-I.D.: tty3b.292 Posted: Fri Jan 27 13:29:28 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 31-Jan-84 04:05:35 EST Organization: Teletype Corp., Skokie, Ill Lines: 28 Jim R Oldroyd writes in <150@taurus.UUCP>: "Many european governments are going ahead with the deployment of american nuclear missiles against the overwhelming wishes of the majority of the people in their countries ... What happened to the idea of democracy?" One must also wonder what happened to democracy in the U.S., where virtually every military adventure undertaken by the Reagan government has been faced with public opposition. Between 60% and 80% of the American people have consistently opposed the intervention in Central America. A similar number opposes the presence in Lebanon. Only the invasion of Grenada has managed to achieve anything resembling public support, and that can be largely attributed to the blitzkrieg nature of the invasion: the Marines had occupied the island before most of the U.S. press was even allowed in to find out what was going on. The isolation of the Reagan Administration is just as clear on nuclear policy. About 80% of the American people support the nuclear freeze; Reagan opposes it. About half think that military spending is too high; Reagan wants to increase it another 14% next year. One must wonder how long a government can continue to oppose basic demands of its people and continue to remain in power. That question will be answered in the United States, at least, over the next nine months. Mike Kelly ..!ihnp4!tty3b!mjk